On March 28th, the research vessel "Explorer I" carrying the submersible "Striver I" returned to Sanya, completing the first joint China-Indonesia Java Trench deep-sea expedition mission. Led by the Institute of Deep-Sea Science and Engineering of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (hereinafter referred to as the Institute of Deep-Sea Science), this expedition marks the first extensive and systematic manned deep-sea exploration conducted in the Java Trench internationally.
The expedition team set sail from Sanya on February 8th, lasting for 50 days. The submersible "Striver I" completed 22 dives in the Java Trench, with 14 dives reaching depths exceeding 6000 meters. Six dive missions were jointly conducted by scientists from both China and Indonesia.
During this expedition, a valuable collection of large benthic organisms, rocks, sediments, as well as high-definition videos and photos were obtained from the Java Trench. Over 200 large benthic organisms were collected, including several new species from the abyss. The expedition also discovered a new benthic animal community dominated by protozoa, enriched abyssal wood fall ecosystems, and iron-rich sediments on the trench floor. Furthermore, two active low-temperature hydrothermal vent fields were discovered in the forearc basin area, providing important support for understanding the unique geological and biological diversity, and the co-evolution of geology and life in the Java Trench.
This joint deep-sea expedition in the Java Trench is an integral part of the "Global Abyss Deep-Sea Exploration Program" initiated by the Institute of Deep-Sea Science. It will further deepen our understanding of global abyssal geological processes and Earth system evolution, with significant implications for advancing the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative and building a community with a shared future for mankind.
This expedition is jointly supported by the "Key Special Project on Key Technologies and Equipment for Deep Sea and Polar Regions" of the 14th Five-Year National Key Research and Development Program, the "Global Abyss Deep-Sea Exploration Program" of the Chinese Academy of Sciences International Partnership Program, and the "Deep-Sea Exploration and Equipment Sea Trials Sharing Expedition" project of the Hainan Deep-Sea Technology Innovation Center. The expedition team members come from 11 institutions including the Indonesian Agency for Research and Innovation, Haluoleo University, Gadjah Mada University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Institute of Deep-Sea Science and Engineering of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hainan Tropical Ocean University, and BGI Group.
On March 28th, the inaugural joint China-Indonesia Java Trench deep-sea exploration expedition was successfully concluded, with the research vessel "Explorer 1" carrying the submersible "Striver" returning to port. Photo by Qi Jinbao and Ding Dian.
On March 28th, the research vessel "Exploration I" returned to Sanya with the submersible "Striver" on board. Captured by Qijinbao and Ding Dian.
The Abyss Expedition team waves to the public as they return from their scientific mission. Photo by Qi Jinbao and Ding Dian.
The research team reports successful completion of this voyage's mission. Signed, Qí Jīnbǎo and Dīng Diǎn.
The manned submersible "Challenger" aboard the research vessel "Exploration I." Photo by Qi Jinbao and Ding Dian.
China and Indonesia jointly completed their first-ever deep-sea dive mission in the Java Trench. Image courtesy of the Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering.
Deep-sea creatures. Image provided for deep sea.
Deep-sea creatures. Images provided for deep sea.
Deep Sea Creatures. Image Provided for Deep Sea.
Deep Sea Creatures. Image provided for Deep Sea.
