Russian polar expedition of 1900–1902
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| Date | 21 June [O.S. 8 June] 1900 – December 1902 |
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| Location | Russian Empire |
| Participants | 20 people, including Eduard Toll, Fyodor Matisen, Nikolai Kolomeitsev, Alexander Kolchak, Nikifor Begichev, Stepan Rastorguyev and Mikhail Brusnev |
| Deaths | 7 people including Eduard Toll |
The Russian polar expedition of 1900–1902 was commissioned by the Saint Petersburg Academy of Sciences to study the Arctic Ocean north of New Siberian Islands and search for the legendary Sannikov Land. It was led by the Russian geologist and Arctic explorer Baron Eduard Toll on the ship Zarya. Toll and his three assistants vanished in late 1902 while exploring Bennett Island. One of the key members of the expedition was Alexander Kolchak, then a young researcher and lieutenant of the Russian Navy, and later a ruler of Russia.
During 1884–1886 Toll assisted Alexander Bunge in his exploration of New Siberian Islands and the Arctic Ocean shores from the mouth of Lena to the mouth of Yana. Toll then found mammoth bones on Kotelny and Bolshoy Lyakhovsky Islands and coal on New Siberia.
On a clear day Toll spotted, from Kotelny Island, vague outlines of an unknown island located some 100 km north-east, with steep shores and columnar mountains. He believed this to be the legendary Sannikov Land, which since then was marked on maps by a dashed line.
Upon returning from the New Siberian Islands in 1893, Toll began a vigorous campaign for a marine expedition to the area, which included a detailed presentation to the Academy of Sciences. He convinced the Academy to explore the areas east of Taymyr Island and the potential sea route to the Bering Strait, arguing that Americans were pursuing the same goal and should not be given priority. The project was delayed due to its high costs, and only on 31 December 1899 was approved by Nicholas II, who also appointed Toll as the expedition chief.
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