China’s Qinling Station in Antarctica Officially Opens
Release time:
2024-02-10
Xinhua News Agency, Qinling Station, Antarctica, February 7 (Reporters Zhou Yuan and Wang Libin)
On February 7, at 74°56′S latitude and 163°42′E longitude, a new landmark on the Antarctic continent—China’s Qinling Station—was officially inaugurated. Qinling Station is China’s fifth Antarctic research station, filling a gap in China’s scientific exploration efforts in the Ross Sea region of Antarctica.
The station is named after the Qinling Mountains, known as the ancestral mountains of the Chinese nation. The Qinling Mountains serve as a natural divide between northern and southern China, linking east and west, and embodying unity. They nurture life and are a spiritual symbol deeply rooted in Chinese historical and cultural memory. The station’s architectural design draws inspiration from the Southern Cross constellation used for navigation during Zheng He’s voyages. With a main building area of 5,120 square meters, it is the largest single structure among China’s Antarctic research stations, accommodating up to 80 summer researchers and 30 winter researchers.
Inexpressible Island, where Qinling Station is located, is known for experiencing some of the strongest katabatic winds in Antarctica, with recorded maximum wind speeds exceeding 43 meters per second. To withstand the extreme environment, the station employs lightweight, high-strength construction materials and techniques, making it capable of withstanding temperatures as low as -60°C, severe coastal corrosion, and wind speeds of up to 65 meters per second—equivalent to above a Category 17 gale.
China has previously established four Antarctic research stations: Great Wall Station, Zhongshan Station, Kunlun Station, and Taishan Station. The first two are located in West Antarctica’s King George Island and East Antarctica’s Larsemann Hills, respectively, while the latter two are on the Antarctic inland ice sheet.
Qinling Station is situated on Inexpressible Island in the Ross Sea, West Antarctica. The Ross Sea is a region where the lithosphere, cryosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere interact intensively, making it a hotspot for studying global climate change. It is an ideal location for polar scientific research.
“Qinling Station not only fills a gap in China’s scientific exploration in this region but also provides critical support for international research on energy and material exchange in the Earth system, marine biological ecosystems, and global climate change,” said Shen Jun, Director of the Polar Research Office of China’s State Oceanic Administration.
Next, the station will undergo further construction to complete its scientific research, energy, and auxiliary facilities, entering full operational status.
Key words:
Previous Page
Previous Page:
Share
online message
Bottom link
Contact Us
Company Address:No.88, Ke Yun Road, Licheng District, Jinan City, Shandong Province
Sales Hotline: 008613204662621
Enterprise E-mail:dawn@tianchentest.com