Hey tech and science buffs! 🌊✨ The Chinese mainland just wrapped up its biggest Arctic adventure yet: its 15th Arctic Ocean Scientific Expedition. Led by the Ministry of Natural Resources, four research vessels—Xuelong-2, Jidi, Shenhai-1 and Tansuo-3—teamed up to map uncharted waters and gather vital climate data.
What went down? 🔬❄️
- Dual-ship dives: Xuelong-2 and Jidi tackled the Chukchi Plateau, Canada Basin and central Arctic, filling data gaps on sea ice, ocean currents and atmospheric conditions.
- Real-time ice tracking: Scientists monitored sea ice drift and sub-ice ecosystems in near real time, revealing key seasonal shifts.
- Deep-sea imaging: Multi-depth cameras captured life at the ice edge, while chlorophyll scans tracked 'marine snow'—tiny particles that feed deep ecosystems.
But the real showstopper was the submersible Jiaolong making the Chinese mainland's first manned dive under Arctic ice! 🚀 Guided by Shenhai-1 and Xuelong-2, Jiaolong proved its muscle in extreme conditions, marking a new milestone in deep-sea exploration.
Why it matters: This mission's data boosts climate models that predict weather patterns impacting monsoons and sea levels from Bangladesh to Thailand. Plus, boosting our deep-sea know-how sets the stage for the next-gen of tech and green research. 🌱📈
Stay tuned for more polar updates—adventure awaits where ice meets innovation! 🧊💡
Reference(s):
China completes 1st manned dive under Arctic ice in polar expedition
cgtn.com
