GoNorth expedition



The GoNorth project is a series of expeditions into the Central Arctic in 2022 and 2023 with a planned expedition in 2024.

The GoNorth 2022 included two legs. The first leg was in the area North of Svalbard and the Nansen basin from 14 October 2022 to 2 November 2022. The GoNorth 2022 budget was 15 million Norwegian kroner from the Research Council of Norway. Professor Jan Sverre Laberg from the UiT Arctic University of Norway was the cruise leader. The scientific work was focused on geological surveys of the seabed using seismic surveys, as well as multidisciplinary work including geophysics, biology, and oceanography. One of the main questions of geological surveys was to answer when the Forward Strait opened and warm Atlantic water began to flow into the Arctic Ocean. Preliminary results also showed that the Nansen Basin has a 4 km thick oceanic crust, contradicting previous hypotheses. The other geophysical measurements included sea ice coring with measurements of ice salinity, density, temperature, DNA, and diatoms, as well as measurements of the confined sea ice strength. Biological work included sampling ocean floor sediments, and water and ice samples. Oceanographic work included CTD profiling and usage of a lander and ocean glider. The second leg of the GoNorth 2022 was performed at the Knipovich ridge.

The GoNorth 2023 included one leg. It took place at the Gakkel Ridge from 6 July 2023 to 8 August 2023. Professor Rolf Birger Pedersen from the University of Bergen was the cruise leader. The expedition was performed on the Norwegian icebreaker RV Kronprins Haakon. It collaborated with the German icebreaker RV Polarstern. During GoNorth, its participants using a remotely operated vehicle discovered a new hydrothermal field in the Lena Trough.

The GoNorth 2024 is planned to cover the area close to Svalbard, the northern coast of Greenland, and Ellesmere Island.