Mirnyi

a republic (ASSR)-level city in the Yakut ASSR. Located on the Ireliakh River (Viliui basin) and connected by road with the landing of Lensk (on the Lena River, 230 km south of Mirnyi). Population, 26,300 (1973).

Mirnyi grew up in 1955 after the discovery and beginning of exploitation of diamond deposits (Mir kimberlite pipe). It became a city in 1959. There is production of building materials. The city has an evening power and construction technicum. The city was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labor in 1970.

an urban-type settlement in Orichi Raion, Kirov Oblast, RSFSR, on the left bank of the Viatka River. Railroad station (Maradykovskii) on the Kotel’nich-Kirov line. Industry includes the cutting of peat; the settlement also has a shop of the Kirovo-Chepetsk Reinforced-concrete Articles Plant. A plant producing peat briquettes is under construction (as of 1974).

a scientific observation station and the main supply and technical base of the Soviet antarctic expedition from 1956 to 1971. Located on the coast of the Davis Sea at 66°33’ S lat. and 93°01’ E long.

Mirnyi is on the continental ice sheet and cliffs 35 m above sea level. The base was opened in connection with the International Geophysical Year. Twenty main buildings, as well as special magnetic, seismic, and aerological wings and geophysical, geological, glaciological, aerophotographic-surveying, aerological, and gravimetric laboratories, were constructed at Mirnyi. A radio station with a direct connection to Moscow was installed.

Mirnyi was named in honor of the sailing vessel Mirnyi of the Russian antarctic expedition of M. P. Lazarev and F. F. Bellingshausen. In 1971, the main base of the Soviet antarctic expedition was transferred to the Molodezhnaia station. The scientific observation complex at Mirnyi was retained. The work conducted at Mirnyi includes meteorological, aerological, actinometric, glaciological, and various types of geophysical observations; the study of cosmic rays and the aurora australis; and observations related to hydrology, biology, and medicine.

a sailing vessel built at the shipyard in Lodeinoe Pole, with a displacement of 530 tons. In 1819–21 a round-the-world voyage on the Mirnyi, commanded by M. P. Lazarev, and the Vostok, commanded by the head of the expedition, F. F. Bellingshausen, led to the discovery of Antarctica.