* Astronomy

Blobrana · L

Unknown islands

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Arctic sea ice

Blobrana · L

RE: Arctic Ocean

Blobrana · L

A U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker is headed to the Arctic to map the sea floor off Alaska, as Russia, Denmark and Canada assert their claims in the polar region, which has potential oil and gas reserves. The lead scientist on the expedition scoffs at the political implications.

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Blobrana · L

"When explorers reach an unexplored point they leave flags there" - Sergei Lavrov Russian foreign minister.

"Look, this isn't the 15th century. You can't go around the world and just plant flags and say 'We're claiming this territory'" - Peter MacKay, Canadian Foreign Minister.

"I'm not sure whether they put a metal flag, a rubber flag, or a bed sheet on the ocean floor" - Tom "ill informed" Casey, US deputy State Department spokesman.

Blobrana · L

Russia planted a rust-proof titanium flag on the seabed beneath the North Pole yesterday, marking the start of a new global struggle to claim the vast mineral wealth of the Arctic Ocean.
Estimates suggest that the area to which Russia is laying claim contains billions of tonnes of oil and gas reserves as well as other minerals.
The mini-submarine Mir 1, one of a pair, reached the seabed 4,261m beneath the North Pole first.

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Blobrana · L

The Two Russian mini-submarines, Mir-1 and Mir-2, have resurfaced after a more than eight-hours submerged at the North Pole.
Russian researchers in the submersibles travelled 4,200 metres to the seabed, and planted a titanium Russian flag on the seabed.

Blobrana · L

Russian explorers have planted their country's flag on the seabed 4,200m below the North Pole to further Moscow's claims to the Arctic.

The Mir-I is one of two Russian craft diving to the Arctic floor

Submarine footage

Polar expedition tests Mir subs

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Blobrana · L

Submarines accompanying a Russian naval mission aimed at boosting Moscow's claim to Arctic territory are shortly expected to dive below the North Pole.

1) North Pole: Russia plans to leave its flag on the seabed, 4km beneath the surface, as part of its claims for oil and gas reserves
2) Lomonosov Ridge: Russia argues that this underwater feature is an extension of its continental territory and is looking for evidence
3) 200-mile line: Shows how far countries' agreed economic area extends beyond their coastline. Often set from outlying islands
4) Russian claimed territory: The bid to claim a vast area is being closely watched by other countries. Some could follow suit

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