Polarstern installs Arctic Ocean observatory EU-funded researchers have succeeded in installing a new deep-sea observatory to monitor a mud volcano in the Arctic region. The observation ward was established during the research vessel Polarstern's 24th Arctic expedition from mid-July to early August. The study is part of the ESONET ('European seas observatory NETwork') project, funded under the EU's Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) with EUR 7 million.