Participants in the scientific expedition to Lake Lama to the 80th anniversary of the nuclear industry of Russia talked about its results

The research expedition for the 80th anniversary of the nuclear industry of Russia took place from August 25 to 28.

Eight participants, including specialized scientists, went to one of the most remote and mysterious places in Russia-to Lake Lama, located on the Putoran plateau in the Arctic zone of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, in the place of drilling of the well No. G-3 (“Horizon-3”, coordinates: 69 ° 35'11.8 “N 90 ° 20'31.4“ E).

The connection between this inaccessible natural corner and the history of the world nuclear industry at first glance may seem unexpected. However, it was here in 1975 and 1977 as part of the implementation of the Soviet program “Nuclear Explosions for the National Economy” that two underground nuclear explosions “Horizon-3” and “Meteorite-2” were produced. The purpose of the tests was to study the possibilities of using nuclear energy in the national economy as part of the deep seismic sounding of the Earth.

The expedition set itself several tasks at once:

• explore the area of ​​former nuclear tests;
• evaluate the current state of the environment;
• measure the radiation background;
• To study the prospects for turning this unique place into a tourist route of post -industrial tourism with a start from Norilsk.

The group included:

• Alexander Pestryakov, chairman of the Norilsk City Council, expedition manager, member of the Russian State Register;
• Alexey Lupa, chairman of the Northern Industrialists and Entrepreneurs;
• Elena Porokhina, member of the Public Council of the Agency for Tourism of the Krasnoyarsk Territory;
• Dmitry Belov, leading geologist of the Norilsk branch of the All-Russian Geological Research Institute named after A.P. Karpinsky;
• Anton Lazarev, Director of the Norilsk branch of the All-Russian Geological Research Institute named after A.P. Karpinsky;
• Ekaterina Alekseeva, correspondent of the North City media company;
• Alexander Kondakov, specialist in safe tourism;
• Viktor Kuznetsov, Head of the Directorate of Affairs of the Norilsk City Council.

The main role in the expedition was played by scientists, researchers of the Institute. A.P. Karpinsky, who, using radiometric and dosimetric equipment, performed a number of measurements of the radiation background. The results of the examination showed: no traces of increased radiation in the study area were recorded.

According to the results of the expedition, the participants came to the conclusion that the place is safe for visiting and can potentially become part of a unique tourist route – both from the point of view of nature and the history of the industrial development of the Arctic. However, for this it is necessary to carry out additional work: to create infrastructure, conduct information support, ensure security control and environmental support of future routes.

“The expedition was an important step in the understanding of our heritage – both atomic and natural. Putilean and Lake Lama keep many secrets, and we are only at the beginning of their disclosure, ”the expedition participants noted.

The expedition was supported by the administration of the city of Norilsk, the Polar Commission of the Russian Geographical Society, and the Travel Company “Nimbus”.

A detailed report on the progress and results of the expedition will be published in September 2025.