Sixth Norwegian Antarctic Expedition
1956 CE.
Shown on the map at -70.500°, -2.533°.
The sixth Norwegian Antarctic Expedition (Den norske antarktisekspedisjonen) was a scientific expedition to Queen Maud's Land in Antarctica. The expedition was based at Norway Station (70°30′S 02°32′W) which was located on the Fimbul Ice Shelf bordering the coast of Queen Maud Land. The expedition carried out survey work and scientific studies for three-four years (1956–1960). The expedition was intended as part of Norway's participation in the International Geophysical Year, 1957-58. The crew set sail from Oslo on board two whaling ships, the Polarsirkel and Polarbjørn, on 10 November 1956. The expedition was led by Sigurd Gunnarson Helle, a geodesist at Norsk Polarinstitutt. It included a total crew of fourteen researchers which was reduced to nine during the third year. Among their activities was topological mapping of the region. In 1960, King Olav V of Norway instituted the Antarctic Medal (Antarktismedaljen) commemorating the expedition which was awarded to 37 people who were attached to the expedition in various ways.
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