🌟 Making waves in ocean exploration, China and Indonesia have just wrapped up their first joint deep-sea expedition in the mysterious depths of the Java Trench! 🐠🚢
Setting sail from Sanya City in south China's Hainan Province on February 8, the research vessel Tansuo-1 (translation: \"Discovery One\") embarked on an epic 50-day journey. Aboard was the deep-sea manned submersible Fendouzhe (a.k.a. \"Striver\"), ready to dive into the unknown! 🤿🌊
Experts from 11 universities and institutions across both countries teamed up for this adventure, blending brainpower and bravery to explore one of Earth's final frontiers. Talk about squad goals! 💪🌏
The Fendouzhe completed a whopping 22 dives into the Java Trench, with 14 dives plunging beyond 6,000 meters deep. They even reached the trench's deepest point at 7,180.4 meters, setting a new record for Indonesia! 🏆🥇
While down there, the team collected samples of macrobenthos (think deep-sea critters), rocks, and sediments, plus captured some stunning high-def videos and photos. Say cheese, abyssal creatures! 📸🐙
This wasn't just any expedition—it was the first large-scale, systematic manned deep-sea exploration of the Java Trench at an international level. Basically, they're the Avengers of ocean science! 🦸♀️🦸♂️
Du Mengran, a research fellow at the CAS Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering, shared some exciting discoveries:
\"We found two active low-temperature hydrothermal vent sites where the fluids are like all-you-can-eat buffets for benthic organisms. We also spotted iron oxide-rich sediment layers at the trench bottom.\" 🌋🍽️
These findings are a big deal! They boost our understanding of the unique geological activities and biodiversity down there, and how geology and life evolve together. Mind blown! 🤯
This epic joint expedition is more than just science—it's about friendship and cooperation between China and Indonesia. Together, they're uncovering the Earth's deep secrets and taking maritime collaboration to new depths! 🌐🤝
Who knows what other mysteries lie beneath the waves? One thing's for sure: with teamwork like this, the sky—or rather, the seafloor—is the limit! 🚀🌊
Reference(s):
China, Indonesia conclude first scientific expedition in Java Trench
cgtn.com
