The jubilee 30th Ukrainian Antarctic Expedition returned to Kyiv after a year of work at the “Academik Vernadsky” station in Antarctica. The expedition consisted of 13 polar explorers who conducted significant scientific research.
The team returned to Ukraine after a week-long journey through the Chilean port of Punta Arenas and Warsaw. The expedition included 8 scientists, a doctor, a cook, a system administrator, a diesel engineer, and a mechanic. The scientists were engaged in research in the fields of geophysics, meteorology, and biology, observing climate change, the state of the ozone layer, Earth’s magnetic field dynamics, seismic activity, and the response of living organisms to warming.
While working at the “Vernadsky” station, Ukrainian polar explorers collaborated with colleagues from the First Mexican Antarctic Expedition, conducting joint research and participating in cultural exchanges.
The “Academik Vernadsky” station is the only Ukrainian research base in Antarctica, where studies of the continent’s unique natural environment are conducted. The icebreaker “Noosfera” ensures the delivery of polar explorers, cargo, and fuel to the Antarctic coast. In addition to the annual team, members of the seasonal detachment who upgraded equipment and conducted field research also returned home.
Why it matters. The expedition significantly expanded scientific understanding of the processes occurring in Antarctica, and the data collected over the year can help better predict climate changes on the planet.
| Year | Number of Participants | Main Research |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 13 | Geophysics, Meteorology, Biology |
| 2024 | Unknown | Geological Research |
Currently, the 31st Ukrainian Antarctic Expedition is working at the station, continuing the research work. Interestingly, in the 2024 season, the Ukrainian icebreaker “Noosfera” is being used for geological research aimed at studying climate changes over the past 20 thousand years.
