Sixth Norwegian Antarctic Expedition

The sixth Norwegian Antarctic Expedition (Den norske antarktisekspedisjonen) was a scientific expedition to Queen Maud Land in Antarctica. The expedition was based at Norway Station (70°30′S 02°32′W) which was located on the Fimbul Ice Shelf bordering the coast of Queen Maud Land.[1]

The expedition carried out survey work and scientific studies over a period of three-four years (1956–1960). The expedition was intended as part of Norway's participation in the International Geophysical Year, 1957-58. The crew set sail from Oslo on board two whaling ships, the Polarsirkel and Polarbjørn, on 10 November 1956.[1][2][3]

The expedition was led by Sigurd Gunnarson Helle, a geodesist at Norsk Polarinstitutt. It included a total crew of fourteen researchers which was reduced to nine during the third year.[4] Among their activities were topological mapping of the region.[5]

In 1960, King Olav V of Norway instituted the Antarctic Medal (Antarktismedaljen) commemorating the expedition which was awarded to 37 people who were attached to the expedition in various ways.[4]

References
  1. Lebedev, Vladimir L'vovich (1959). Antarctica. Foreign Languages Publishing House. p. 244.
  2. "Norway Station 1956-1960" (PDF). Norsk Polarhistorie. Retrieved April 1, 2016.
  3. Hans-Martin Henriksen. "Den Norske Antarktisekspedisjon 1956-60 Norway Station / Fimbul" (PDF). Norsk Polarhistorie. Retrieved April 1, 2016.
  4. Amundsen, Bård; Lie, Else. "IPY generates a torrent of research". translators: Connie Stultz and Victoria Coleman. The Research Council of Norway. Retrieved 2010-12-23.
  5. "Sigurd Helle". Norsk Polarhistorie. Retrieved April 1, 2016.


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