What did Fridtjof Nansen learn from the Fram expedition in the Arctic Ocean?

During the Fram expedition (1893–1896), Fridtjof Nansen sought to study the Arctic Ocean, its ice drift, and its bottom contours, while also investigating whether undiscovered lands existed in the central polar basin.1

His findings significantly altered the scientific understanding of the region:

• Deep Ocean Basin: Contrary to the popular belief that the Arctic was a shallow sea, Nansen’s soundings revealed depths ranging from approximately 11,000 to 13,000 feet (3,300 to 4,000 meters). These deep soundings are considered the true discovery of the Arctic Ocean as a deep basin.1
• Scientific Data: The expedition collected a formidable amount of scientific data regarding the ocean and the nature of ice drift.2
• Geographic Insights: By drifting with the pack ice, Nansen confirmed that no large landmasses existed in the central part of the polar basin.1

While Nansen also attempted to reach the North Pole by sledge, his primary contribution to Earth exploration was the systematic study of the Arctic's physical characteristics.1