Turkish Scientists Follow Piri Reis’ Footsteps in Antarctica
Turkish scientists have participated in the 7th National Antarctic Science Expedition to conduct measurements and research on the continent. The General Directorate of Maps under the Ministry of National Defense and the Turkish Naval Forces Navigation, Hydrography and Oceanography Department measured coordinates from both the sea and land. They also made geodynamic and bathymetric measurements on Horseshoe Island and in the Gulf of Lystad, respectively. The Turkish Navy’s department also created a navigation map that will be used worldwide.
The expedition was carried out under the Presidency’s auspices and was coordinated by the TÜBİTAK MAM Polar Research Institute. The Ministry of Industry and Technology took responsibility for the expedition. The measurements taken on Horseshoe Island by the General Directorate of Maps, including global positioning satellite systems (GNSS), contributed to the earth sciences literature. Meanwhile, the Turkish Navy measured the bathymetry of the Gulf of Lystad to the west of Horseshoe Island.
The General Directorate of Maps under the Ministry of National Defense and the Turkish Naval Forces Navigation, Hydrography and Oceanography Department have been collaborating with each other and conducting scientific studies in the region since 1967. They participate in the expeditions to Antarctica every year, updating both their sea and terrestrial maps.
Engineer First Lieutenant Faruk Yalçın, who participated in the expedition on behalf of the General Directorate of Mapping, explained that they perform static GNSS observations at geodynamic points during the expeditions to the Antarctic continent. They transfer the data stored by their fixed GNSS station on Dismal Island within a year and perform maintenance and repair works on the station. By combining the data gathered from these observations, they have information about the annual geodynamic activity of the region in millimeters.
Meanwhile, First Lieutenant Deniz Çiçek from the Department of Navigation, Hydrography and Oceanography of the Turkish Naval Forces shared that they collected all necessary data for mapping the Gulf of Lystad, working 12-13 hours a day on Horseshoe Island during the expedition. They collected coastline data with centimeter precision by walking 4-5 kilometers. This coastline data will be combined with bathymetric data to create a navigation map, which will be used all over the world as a safe map for the floating and diving elements of the entire planet.
