In 1919 Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen's ship Maud left behind two men, Peter Tessem and Paul Knutsen, at Cape Chelyuskin after having made winter quarters there.

A weather and a hydrology research base named "Polar Station Cape Chelyuskin" was constructed in 1932, and headed by Ivan Papanin.

Systematic geological survey for uranium began here in 1946–47 with industrial extraction between 1950 and 1952 in a mountain 150 km south of the cape proper.

Winters last year round, but may be broken up during the meteorological summer months by short spells of above average temperatures.

Sunshine hours peak during April, and begin to sharply drop off during the end of July or early August.