Kazakhstan may open polar station in Antarctica

The first Kazakh expedition to Antarctica said that Kazakhstan may found own polar station there. Explorers have rounded up their expedition on February 28 and told about their plans for the future, Tengrinews reports.

Constantine Orlov, who reached the South Pole twice, said that difficulties started on their way back. The expedition had to repair the vehicle often and could not return home by the New Year. The expedition was organized to mark the 20th anniversary of independence of Kazakhstan.

Nurlan Abduov, head of the expedition, said that they travelled over 4600 km from the Novolazarevskaya Station to theSouth Pole and back. They took samples of snow and ice, estimated radioactivity and studied the air. The Kazakh Geographic Society received the samples.

Kazgeo expects Kazakhstan to join the International Treaty on Antarctica. It would help develop national studies of ecology, meteorology and other branches of sciences about Antarctica.

Abduov added that a Russian cameraman assisted them on their journey. A film is being edited in Moscow and will be presented in April.

A motorized expedition called the “Unknown Kazakhstan” is planned in August. It will visit unique and historic parts of the republic.