At that moment, they arrived at the extreme north of the Earth! Record of China's 13th Arctic Ocean Exploration Team Arriving at the North Pole by Boat

At that moment, they arrived at the extreme north of the Earth! Record of China's 13th Arctic Ocean Exploration Team Arriving at the North Pole by BoatThe history of Chinese polar scientific research will remember this moment - at 13:55 Beijing time on September 5th, the 13th Arctic Ocean Scientific Expedition Team organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources successfully arrived at the North Pole.Sailed out for 56 days and sailed 9614 nautical miles

At that moment, they arrived at the extreme north of the Earth! Record of China's 13th Arctic Ocean Exploration Team Arriving at the North Pole by Boat

The history of Chinese polar scientific research will remember this moment - at 13:55 Beijing time on September 5th, the 13th Arctic Ocean Scientific Expedition Team organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources successfully arrived at the North Pole.

Sailed out for 56 days and sailed 9614 nautical miles. On this day, they filled the gap in China's Arctic Ocean scientific research in the Arctic region.

At 13:55 Beijing time on September 5, 2023, the 13th Chinese Arctic Ocean Scientific Expedition, organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources, arrived in the 90 degree north latitude and Arctic region during its operation aboard the "Snow Dragon 2" polar exploration icebreaker. Photographed by Wei Hongyi, a journalist from Xinhua News Agency

Go north to search for ice

On September 2, 2023, near the middle ridge of the Arctic Ocean, the "Snow Dragon 2" vessel held its daily meeting at 6:30 pm in the inspection team meeting room.

From July 26th to August 11th, the inspection team successfully completed the ocean scientific research assignment for the Pacific sector of the Central North Arctic Ocean; Starting from August 12th, the inspection team launched a comprehensive sea ice survey operation on their way to the waters near the Gak Ridge. They have completed four out of six short-term ice station surveys and nearly four days of long-term ice station surveys have also been successfully completed; Starting from August 20th, the inspection team began geological and geophysical survey operations in the waters near the Gak Ridge, and has now entered the final stage.

On September 3rd, the inspection team found suitable sea ice for operation in the sea area near 87 degrees north latitude, and the 5th short-term ice station survey was successfully completed.

On September 4th, the inspection team found that due to the significant acceleration of sea ice melting in the waters near the Gack Ridge this year, the sea ice between 87 degrees north latitude and 89 degrees north latitude on the route did not meet the operational requirements.

After observation, it has been found that the sea ice thickness and strength in the area passing through are relatively low, which cannot guarantee the personal safety of ice operators and the long-term normal operation of sea ice observation equipment. "said Chen Zhi, Chief Scientist of China's 13th Arctic Ocean Scientific Expedition.

After repeated observation and argumentation, the inspection team decided to continue northward and search for suitable sea ice in the waters north of latitude 89 degrees north, conducting the final ice station survey operation. In addition to sea ice comprehensive operations, the inspection team will also add some marine comprehensive survey projects in the Arctic region.

Last Ice Station

On September 5th, Beijing time, the inspection team selected the 6th short-term ice station survey operation point at 89 degrees 53 north latitude.

The straight-line distance from the North Pole here is only about 7 nautical miles.

Deploying submarine buoys, collecting ice cores, and observing under the ice... I have conducted multiple ice station surveys, and the expedition team has already had a clear understanding of the project. But this seemingly ordinary task has special significance due to the 7 nautical miles ahead.

Looking north, the North Pole is right ahead, and I even want to walk past it now. "Just after drilling an ice cave, Zheng Minggang, a member of China's 13th Arctic Ocean Scientific Expedition and associate researcher of the First Institute of Oceanography under the Ministry of Natural Resources, gasped and said," I can't help but feel excited. This Arctic Ocean expedition, we are all lucky

The cold wind of minus 4 degrees Celsius at the homework site made it difficult to cool the surging blood of the expedition team members.

At 10:00 am Beijing time on the 5th, the homework ended. Take a brief rest on board, and all members of the inspection team descend to the ice to take a group photo. During the group photo break, the scientific research team members gathered in groups of three or five, holding up makeshift banners and taking photos in front of the "Snow Dragon 2".

On September 5, 2023 Beijing time, China's 13th Arctic Ocean Scientific Expedition arrived at the North Pole. All members of the inspection team took a group photo at the investigation site of the ice station near the North Pole. Photographed by Wei Hongyi, a journalist from Xinhua News Agency

Shortly after the group photo ended, sea mist covered the ice sheet. For safety reasons, the inspection team notified all members to return to the ship and wait for the "Snow Dragon 2" to sail towards the North Pole.

The hearts of the expedition team members pulsated nervously in silence.

Arriving at the North Pole

At around 13:00 Beijing time on the 5th, the "Snow Dragon 2" left the ice station investigation site and headed towards the North Pole.

On the bridge, the pilot continued to loudly report the latitude coordinates and ship time. On both sides of the bow, the floating ice gradually broke apart, and the "Snow Dragon 2" advanced steadily and forcefully, slowly approaching the North Pole.

89 degrees 59.00 minutes north latitude, 16:45 ship time

Arriving at the North Pole

89 degrees north latitude 59.40 minutes, ship time 16:50

In the physics laboratory, fully armed and homework ready team members crowded in front of the video equipment, watching every beat of longitude and latitude coordinates on the screen, accumulating strength for the upcoming moment.

At 89 degrees 59.80 north latitude, 89 degrees 59.90 north latitude, 89 degrees 59.95 north latitude... On the display screen of the Taipei Dou navigation system, the latitude coordinates are infinitely approaching the northernmost point on the Earth's axis.

90 degrees north latitude, 16:55 ship time

13Arriving at the North Pole

Opening the Journey Home

Arriving at the North PoleCTD

It is reported that this round of operations will help to further understand the changes in sea ice and ocean currents in the region, deepen understanding of the rapid changes in the Arctic Ocean and its ecological response, and provide data support for effectively addressing the impact of global climate change on China.

After the assignment, the "Snow Dragon 2" circled the North Pole, crossed all longitudes of the Earth, and began sailing towards low latitudes. From then on, every inch of the trajectory of the "Snow Dragon 2" was a return journey.

On the bridge, in the cabin, and on the deck, excited scientific research team members are still taking photos and videos. The Arctic point, which is covered in ice and snow, has been engraved in their memories, and they have also been recorded in the history of China's Arctic Ocean scientific research.

Here, it is the final destination heading north and a new starting point for China's Arctic Ocean scientific research.

Source: Xinhua News Agency

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