Somov, Mikhail Mikhailovich

Somov, Mikhail Mikhailovich 

Born Mar. 25 (Apr. 7), 1908, in Moscow; died Dec. 30, 1973, in Leningrad. Soviet oceanographer, polar explorer, and doctor of geographic sciences (1954). Hero of the Soviet Union (1951). Member of the CPSU from 1952.

Somov graduated from the Moscow Hydrometeorological Institute in 1937 and became a senior research worker at the Arctic and Antarctic Scientific Research Institute in 1939. In 1950 and 1951 he headed the Severnyi Polius-2 (North Pole-2) drifting research station and from 1955 to 1957 led the first Soviet antarctic expedition. His principal works concern ice conditions in polar seas and methods for facilitating arctic navigation by means of forecasts and information on ice conditions.

Somov was awarded three Orders of Lenin, two other orders, and a number of medals. A glacier in the Wohlthat Mountains of Eastern Antarctica (Queen Maud Land) as well as a research vessel have been named in his honor.

REFERENCES

“Pamiati M. M. Somova (1908–1973).” Problemy Arktiki i Antarktiki, 1974, issue 45.
Robin, G. “Mikhail Mikhaylowich Somow.” Polar Record, 1974,
vol. 17, no. 107.
Treshnikov, A. F. Ikh imenami nazvany korabli nauki. Leningrad, 1978.