Why Nordaustlandet?

Nordaustlandet is the northernmost land in the Nordic sector of the Arctic Ocean, and therefore an important base to monitor change and variability of the systems operating in the high Arctic.

• Proximity to well established monitoring facilities brings a regional sense to scientific work.
• Proximity to logistical resources
  (ice free ports, air strips) makes Nordaustlandet into a relatively simple logistical operation.  
• During IGY 57-58 a base was established in Kinnvika, that can provide a nucleus for a IPY 07-09 camp.
• Several expeditions have utilized the harbors of Nordaustlandet thereby granting  a source of records to be utilized during IPY 07-09 projects.

The scientific station at Kinnvika was erected and taken into service during the third polar year, also called the International Geophysical Year 1957-58 by Swedish-Finnish-Swiss expeditions. Kinnvika hosted overwintering teams over two prosecutive years, and was the base for three Swedish expeditions during the 1960-1990s. Today, the Norwegian authorities have the major responsibility of the station.

Read more on the buildings and history of the Kinnvika station from this documentation of the station and a plan to plan to protect the Kinnvika station . (in Norwegian)