Pechora Routes of the Northern Scientific and Commercial Expedition

• Published in: Arctic and North
• Main Author: Irina S. ASTAKHOVA
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English; Russian
• Published: Northern Arctic Federal University 2020
• Subjects: scientific research; north expeditions; pechora region; geology; chernov’s group; geo; Arctic; Novaya Zemlya; Pechora; Russian North
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.37482/issn2221-2698.2020.40.206; https://doaj.org/article/cdbc592fc72444cda37d061207785e99

The article considers the history and the study of the Russian North completed by the Northern scientific and commercial expedition. The main directions of research and the versatility of expeditions in 1920–1924 are reflected. The geological problems that were solved by expeditions to the Arctic territories of the northeastern part of the East European platform, the Timan Ridge, and the northern part of the Ural fold system with its continuing island chain (Vaigach and Novaya Zemlya) are considered. The theoretical conclusions of A.A. Chernov are reflected. The existence of a vast coal basin, the discovery of a great amount of mineral deposits, the mapping of the North of the Urals, and the area near the Pechora are recorded. The results of the described ethnographic research are the first important components in the study of cultural heritage. Despite the multidisciplinary nature and the amount of research carried out in the Arctic, many expeditions were scattered and ineffective; the poor coordination of scientific research that time is also noted by modern researchers of the history of the Arctic development. In 1929, after the reorganization of the Geolkom, on its basis, the Main Geological Exploration Department was formed, and it continued numerous studies of the Pechora region.