China´s 24th expedition heads to South Pole

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Source: CCTV.com | 11-12-2007 15:07

China's 24th expedition to the South Pole has left Shanghai. Topping the team's half-year mission is the investigation of the area known as Dome A. At nearly 4,100 meters, the Dome A area is the highest point on the South Pole's icecap.

"The snow-dragon", the ship carry the team left Shanghai's harbor at 10 am local time on Monday morning.

China's new South Pole team consists of 188 members. They will join the 30 scientists already working at the country's two scientific research stations forming the largest contingent of Chinese scientists operating in the region. And the team also shoulders the heaviest responsibilities. 37 projects and 10 tasks to upgrade facilities await them. But the most daunting task will be investigating the Dome A area. China plans to build its third scientific research station there...and finding the proper location is a key requirement.The team will also carry out the PANDA plan -- a joint survey project with foreign experts.

Wei Wenliang, team leader of China's 24th expedition,said, "The aim of the PANDA plan is to study the interactivity between the ice, the atmosphere and the ocean on the Antarctic. We will survey the 1,300 kilometers of land stretching from China's Zhongshan Station to Dome A area and use the data for climatic and geological researches. "

China also plans to build a new observatory at Dome A. It will have seven telescopes and one acoustic radar. The two current scientific research stations will also be expanded.

China sent its first Antarctic expedition 23 years ago. And Chinese scientists have since carried out exploration on a regular basis.

Editor:Zhang Ning