The Shantou University scientific expedition team set foot on the Antarctic continent
Setting off from Shantou on the shores of China’s South China Sea, circling halfway around the globe, traversing the Drake Passage in the southern hemisphere, and crossing the Antarctic Circle, the Antarctic continent has finally unveiled its mysterious veil. At 8:30 a.m. local time on February 22, the Shantou University Antarctic scientific expedition team officially set foot on Horseshoe Island in Antarctica. Shantou University has also become the first university in China to organize teachers and students to embark on an Antarctic scientific expedition and adventure. From Shantou in southern China to the southernmost part of the Earth, 18 post-90s university students from Shantou University have finally realized their dream of going to Antarctica.
Two island landings a day to marvel at Antarctica’s pristine beauty
The 24th marked the fifth day of the Shantou University Antarctic scientific expedition team’s voyage. This was destined to be a historic day, as it was the official first landing on the Antarctic continent according to the expedition itinerary. The expedition team landed on two islands in Antarctica—Horseshoe Island and Stonington Island—during the morning and afternoon.
At 8:30 a.m., the Shantou University Antarctic scientific expedition team made their first landing in Antarctica—Horseshoe Island—for a three-hour stay. Team members boarded the island via rubber boats from the research vessel. After days at sea, many team members remarked, “It feels so good to stand on solid ground.” Li Dan, Vice President of Shantou University and leader of the mountaineering team, said that the moment they set foot on Antarctica was both exciting and moving. They were excited because the people of Shantou had finally realized their dream of going to Antarctica, and moved by the purity, beauty, and naturalness of everything around them.
At the first landing site, after disembarking, team members observed seals and penguins up close and visited the ruins of a British research station. The first close-up “encounter” with penguins and seals truly thrilled the students. Watching the seals sleeping in various poses and seeing how penguins walk, one can’t help but marvel at the wonders of nature. Through these “intimate” encounters, students also discovered that the movements of penguins convey a lot of information. For example, a penguin’s back is black, and its belly is white. When they feel cold, they turn their backs to the sun, and when they feel hot, they turn their bellies to the sun while flapping their wings to dissipate heat more quickly.
At 4:15 p.m., the expedition team made their second landing, this time reaching the southernmost point of this Antarctic journey—Stonington Island (location: 68°09’S, 68°10’W), where they explored two abandoned research stations on the islands.
Sensing the hardships and solitude of Antarctic scientific research
At each landing site, Shantou University expedition team members stayed for three hours. While experiencing the pristine beauty of Antarctica, this magical land also became a “polar university” for the teachers and students of Shantou University.
Team members observed wildlife such as penguins, seals, and seabirds and carried out their respective scientific research plans as scheduled. For instance, the environmental science group observed lichens and the behavior of other visitors during the landing, while the humanities and adventure group carefully studied the history of the abandoned research stations. By observing the scientific research facilities preserved at the ruins of the stations, the students gained insight into the unknown hardships faced by scientists conducting Antarctic research.
The British scientific research station Base Y was established in March 1955 and ceased operation in August 1960. The main structure of the station is a wooden house, which remains in its original state from 50 years ago, authentically recreating the working and living environment of scientists in the polar regions half a century ago.
The Base Y research station had many books. In an environment like Antarctica, reading became one of the important pastimes for scientists. Many iron tools or construction materials were covered in rust, and a large number of canned food items were also left behind. Team members also found a very sexy female poster in the station’s toilet. “The lonely and desolate days at the station can be easily imagined,” one team member said.
Team member Liu Wolin remarked, “We truly appreciate the early scientific expedition explorers. Without their spirit of courage, exploration, and hard work, the global understanding and knowledge of Antarctica, as well as discussions on its protection, would not exist today.”
“We have a responsibility to keep it pristine forever”
Antarctica is the last untouched virgin land on Earth. The Antarctic Treaty stipulates that all Antarctic research must not affect the local ecology. This regulation left a deep impression on the 18 post-90s scientific expedition team members from Shantou University.
During the landing process, the environmental science group of the Shantou University scientific expedition team focused on observing how excited tourists adhered to the Antarctic Treaty. Students found that the research vessel was very rigorous in organizing landing activities. In general, tourists must maintain a minimum distance of five meters from animals, and visitors strictly comply with the relevant regulations of the treaty. Some tourists, careless for a moment, used small stones to create simple patterns on the snow for photos but failed to put the stones back in place. Staff immediately intervened to ensure that every stone and piece of the Antarctic remained as they were.
“From the moment we set foot on the Antarctic continent, we become ‘Antarctic ambassadors.’ We have the responsibility to promote and protect it, to keep it pristine forever.” Through satellite phones, the students said firmly.
During the afternoon landing activities, the expedition team also witnessed the spectacular sight of an iceberg collapsing. A corner of an iceberg suddenly collapsed with a thunderous noise, sending waves rippling outward. The massive iceberg released tremendous energy, creating a breathtaking scene that made everyone feel their insignificance and vulnerability in the face of nature.
After dinner, small snowflakes were falling outside the cabin. The research vessel carrying the teachers and students of Shantou University had turned its bow northward, sailing along the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. The story of the next landing site awaits them.