Sverdrup Pass

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Sverdrup Pass
Canada Nunavut location map-lambert proj3.svg
Red pog.svg
Location in Nunavut
Location Nunavut, Canada
Coordinates 79°08′06″N80°29′52″W / 79.13500°N 80.49778°W / 79.13500; -80.49778 (Sverdrup Pass)
Topo map NTS 49H1 (untitled)

Sverdrup Pass is a mountain pass in central Ellesmere Island, Nunavut, Canada.[ citation needed ]

On 27 May 2013, researchers from the University of Alberta found samples of 400-year-old bryophytes that were still alive and viable. The specimens were found in an area vacated by the retreating Teardrop Glacier, near Sverdrup Pass. The bryophytes had most likely been buried under ice during the Little Ice Age. [1]

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Sverdrup's Fram expedition (1898–1902) took place in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago under Otto Sverdrup. The expedition ship Fram was modernized to increase cargo capacity and to accommodate a crew of 16. Originally, the expedition was planned for the northern coast of Greenland, but weather and ice conditions prevented the realization of this plan, so Sverdrup decided to explore the southern part of Ellesmere Island. The Norwegian team discovered Sverdrup islands and completed the mapping of the southern part of Ellesmere Island and the northern part of Devon Island. In total, approximately 260,000 km2 (100,000 sq mi) of islands were surveyed and mapped. Due to severe ice conditions, the fourth —unplanned— winter campaign took place in 1901–1902. Extreme weather conditions and uncertain plans led to the loss of two men in 1899.

References

  1. "Centuries-old frozen plants revived". BBC News . 27 May 2013. Retrieved 27 May 2013.