Beijing: China's 42nd Antarctic expedition team is gearing up to embark on a groundbreaking mission to drill into a subglacial lake, located over 3,600 meters beneath the Antarctic ice cap. This ambitious endeavor marks the first time China will undertake such an operation.

According to Emirates News Agency, China's 42nd Antarctic expedition team, led by Wei Fuhai, plans to conduct scientific drilling experiments in the Qilin Subglacial Lake. The team will utilize domestically developed hot-water and thermal-melting drill systems to perform clean drilling and sampling through the thick ice layer.

The Qilin Subglacial Lake, an important site for scientific research, was named by China in 2022 and is situated in Princess Elizabeth Land within the East Antarctic inland ice sheet. Early-stage preparations for the drilling have already been made, as reported by China Central Television (CCTV).

The expedition is being conducted aboard the Xuelong and Xuelong 2 polar research icebreakers, both of which have successfully crossed the equator and entered the Southern Hemisphere. The mission is scheduled to conclude by May 2026, providing ample time for comprehensive research and analysis.