Chinese scientists to explore highest icecap in Antarctica

A 12-man Chinese expedition will leave Shanghai for Antarctica on October 25, targeting the highestpolar icecap peak 4,039 meters above sea level in preparation for setting up the third Chinese scientific research station on the continent.

This will be the 21st Antarctic expedition conducted by Chinesescientists and the first time for any expedition teams to explore Dome A Icecap, located at 81 degrees south latitude and 77 degreeseast longitude.

"The major task of the expedition is to prepare for setting up the third Chinese scientific research station on Antarctica," saidWei Wenliang, an official for polar expedition affairs with the State Oceanic Administration.

However, he declined to give the exact time for the establishment, only saying that the station will be built from 2006 to 2010.

When the team reach the top of the Dome A icecap, Wei said, they will set up a temporary meteorological station and conduct various research activities, including extracting ice samples deepfrom under the ground.

"They will also test whether it is suitable for human beings to live in the harsh environment there," he said.

China has so far built two research stations on Antarctica. TheGreat-Wall Station, founded in February 1985, is located south of King George Island, and Zhongshan Station, built in February 1989,is located south of Prydz Bay on the Mirror Peninsula, eastern of Larsemann Hills.

"The expedition team is expected to arrive in the Zhongshan Station in late November and begin a 70-day expedition on Antarctic in early December," said Li Yuansheng, head of the expedition team and a research fellow with the Shanghai-based Chinese Polar Research Institute.

Source: Xinhua