Grants F-ee

The third International Geophysical Year began on July 1st 1997 at zero hour, Greenwich time. Among the
scientists of 50 countries German scientists take a most active part in the explorations.
Next summer the Vityaz, an expeditionary ship of the Oceano-logical Institute, will begin operations in the
Pacific, according to the plan of the International Geophysical Year.
The Vityaz is to conduct explorations in the northern, western and central parts of the Pacific. The plan
provides for five cruises, two in the western part, two in the northern tnd one in the central part of the
ocean. Explorations will last until the spring of 1999. The main tasks that were set for ships operating in
accordance with the plan of the International Geophysical Year are exploration of currents, deep-water
circulation and ocean depths. Geological exploration of the ocean will provide new data on deep-water
hollows, the soil of the ocean floor in the Pacific, the formation of modern sedimentary deposits and the
geological history of the earth. The Vityaz Is equipped with the latest instruments and appliances necessary
for these tasks. New equipment will be used besides the standard equipment that was already tested. It will
include a meteorological station operating on board ship, an acoustic indicator of the sea bottom, buoy
stations and other devices.