On April 14th, according to media reports, the team from Jilin University, who participated in China's 40th Antarctic expedition, successfully completed their scientific mission and returned to the university.
During this expedition, the team from Jilin University achieved remarkable results—they successfully penetrated a 545-meter-deep ice sheet and obtained continuous ice cores along with samples of the subglacial bedrock, nearly half a meter in length. This achievement has not only garnered attention domestically but also internationally, marking China's advancement to the forefront of polar drilling technology.
It's worth noting that this is the first targeted geological investigation and sampling conducted beneath the Antarctic ice sheet, providing valuable samples and data for a deeper understanding of the Antarctic ice sheet and subglacial geological environment. The professionalism and meticulousness of the Jilin University team played a crucial role in the successful completion of this scientific expedition.
This Antarctic expedition was carried out under a cooperative agreement framework signed by Jilin University, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), and the Institute of Marine Geology and Mineral Resources of Russia. The joint project, "Research on the Subglacial Geological Environment in the Rasmussen Hills Region of East Antarctica," aims to delve into the subglacial geological structure, rock composition, and evolutionary history of the region, providing important insights for global climate change research.
Jilin University played a significant role in this expedition by providing drilling technology, equipment, and deploying experienced professionals for on-site implementation. Additionally, Jilin University is responsible for the post-expedition physical analysis of ice cores, aiming to reveal vital information about the formation process of the Antarctic ice sheet and its climate change history.
With rich experience and profound expertise in polar exploration, Jilin University has been participating in Chinese Antarctic expeditions since 2011, completing numerous missions over the past 13 years. Among these, its involvement in the Chinese Antarctic Dome A Deep Ice Core Drilling Project set a record for China's polar deep ice drilling depth, showcasing Jilin University's leading position in polar drilling technology.
Furthermore, Jilin University has made significant breakthroughs in polar hot-water drilling, pollution-free thermal ice-probing detectors, ice borehole logging instruments, subglacial sediment samplers, and more. The development and application of these technologies not only enhance the efficiency and accuracy of polar exploration but also provide new means and methods for global polar scientific research.
