Denmark ready for North Pole mission

The Arctic icecap is thinning as a consequence of global warming so the race is on to claim ownership of the rich oil and gas resources under the North Pole and Russia is one of many nations competing to lay claim to the oil and gas reserves.

Researchers from Denmark now plan to head for the North Pole to gather geological information. The expedition, which will last for one month, will investigate the Lomonosov Ridge off Greenland.

Russia claims the underwater feature is linked to its territory. However, Denmark is investigating to see if it is geologically connected to Greenland, a Danish territory. The USA, Canada and Norway also have claims in the Arctic.

The Danish Science and Technology Minister remarked that they will continue until they have the best data. The Danish mission, entitled Lomrog (Lomonosov Ridge), is backed by a Swedish icebreaker called Oden and a Russian nuclear icebreaker called 50 let Pobedy (50 Years of Victory), which was leased by Sweden.

The research team comprises 45 specialists from Canada, Denmark and Sweden and plans to collect bathymetric, gravity and seismic data to map the seabed under the ice.