Under the Pole II

Ice lies at the heart of how the Arctic ecosystem functions and plays a major role in regulating our global climate. Examining its dynamics by measuring its thickness, temperature and the elements it contains, has enabled scientists to better understand its role and the exchanges between the Ocean and the atmosphere.

Over the course of 21 months, the deep‑diving program explored coastal sea ice, giant icebergs, glacier fronts, frozen fjords and the continental shelf. The teams dived from the surface down to the maximum depths accessible with rebreathers, encountering whales, ringed seals and polar bears along the way. They spent the winter in the Nares Strait before setting off again in spring with Inuit guides and their dog sleds, circling the northern coast of Greenland to explore the uncharted depths of these remote polar lands.

The expedition's scientific program :

The Arctic hosts some of the richest marine ecosystems on the planet. Dives between 100 and 130 meters enabled an extensive scientific program built around close collaboration between divers and researchers, which focused on three major themes : 

‑ The cryosphere and atmosphere ‑ sea ice ‑ ocean interactions, measuring parameters such as ice thickness and temperature to understand ice dynamics.

‑ Polar biodiversity, with observations of Arctic flora and fauna to better understand their richness, ecological roles and importance.

‑ Human physiology in extreme environments, through unique studies conducted with hyperbaric physicians to assess how the human body adapts to extremely cold water.