Scientists from the drifting station “North Pole-42” have successfully adapted an absolute gravimeter, typically used to measure the absolute value of gravitational acceleration at land-based points, for use in the high latitudes of the Arctic Ocean.
These new data will significantly expand Russia's gravimetric network and serve as a foundation for solving fundamental scientific problems. Additionally, the findings will be used to study the Earth's internal structure, explore mineral resources, and enhance maritime and air navigation.
The research was conducted by scientists from the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute in collaboration with specialists from the Institute of Automation and Electrometry of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. This adaptation of the GABL-PM absolute gravimeter, designed for high-precision gravity measurements at terrestrial gravimetric stations, was made possible through its installation on the unique scientific expedition vessel “North Pole”. The absolute gravimeter is a highly delicate instrument, and only its placement on this specialized vessel enabled long-term studies in such extreme latitudes.
The absolute gravity values obtained will greatly refine the variations measured by the relative gravimeter Chekan AM, also installed aboard the “North Pole“.
As part of the “North Pole-42” scientific program, the absolute gravimeter will be used in projects aimed at refining the boundaries of the continental shelf, investigating the geological structure of the Arctic Ocean's seabed, and studying the movement of geological plates, such as spreading zones.
This breakthrough is crucial for improving our understanding of the Earth's geological processes and has far-reaching implications for navigation and resource exploration.
Source: AARI
Also read the publication:
XVI BRICS Summit in Kazan