Groningen researchers to visit Jan Mayen island with Dutch Navy

25 July 2014

Researchers from the Arctic Centre and the Willem Barentsz Polar Institute of the University of Groningen have been invited by the Dutch Navy to join an expedition to Jan Mayen island from 10-24 August.

This is a unique opportunity for the researchers to visit this isolated island. The multidisciplinary research team will concentrate on archaeology and biology. One of the brand-new Dutch Navy patrol ships, Zr. Ms. Zeeland, will be used for the expedition.

Jan Mayen

Jan Mayen is a remote volcanic island, 600 km to the north of Iceland and 500 km to the east of Greenland. It was discovered 400 years ago by Jan Jacobsz Mayen, a whaler from Amsterdam. The island still has the remains of 17th century Dutch whaling industry. With the help of the Navy, the researchers hope to reach a number of very inaccessible locations.

Last visit to Jan Mayen 30 years ago

Archaeologist Louwrens Hacquebord (University of Groningen) and biologist Kees Camphuysen (NIOZ; Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research) conducted research for the Arctic Centre on Jan Mayen 30 years ago. The researchers want to compare the detailed reports made in 1983 with the current archaeological and biological values across the island. New research will also be conducted. For example, with the help of the Navy personnel a mercury tracker will be installed on the volcano, vegetation research will take place and whale counts conducted.