Reporters learned today (10th) from the China Geological Survey that the research vessel "Haiyang Dizhi Liuhao" has successfully completed the second leg of the 15th deep-sea geological survey voyage, and several scientific results were officially released today.
The second leg of the 15th expedition of the "Haiyang Dizhi VI" (Ocean Geological Survey No. 6) commenced on August 29th of this year, lasting 95 days and covering a total distance of 12,673 nautical miles. It collected a wealth of valuable data and samples, including deep-sea environmental data, deep-sea seawater samples, seabed sediments, polymetallic nodules, and deep-sea biological samples. Simultaneously, new progress was made in key technologies and equipment applications for deep-sea exploration.
Song Laiyong, technical director of the "Haiyang Dizhi Liuhao" vessel of the Guangzhou Ocean Bureau of the China Geological Survey: For the first time in the deep waters of the Pacific Ocean, we used our self-developed 6,000-meter-class deep-sea remotely operated vehicle and domestically produced autonomous underwater robot to complete high-precision tests and operations near the seabed, achieving excellent application results.
Song Laiyong told reporters that these data can provide the most basic and important basis for our research on deep-sea geology, deep-sea environment, and deep-sea ecosystem.
During its scientific expedition, the research vessel "Haiyang Dizhi VI" completed its first electromagnetic profiling measurement in the Pacific abyss, acquiring high-quality electromagnetic observation data from the deep Pacific Ocean. Experts told reporters that this data can help us in future ocean drilling site selection.
This image is the electromagnetic profile of the Pacific abyss obtained in this study. It's like a "CT scan" of the Earth, analyzing the natural electromagnetic field signals inside the Earth to detect the electrical characteristics of rocks deep underground, thereby inferring the geological structure, material composition, and even temperature state.
According to reports, the research vessel "Haiyang Dizhi Liuhao" is scheduled to sail to the Pacific Ocean again in the first half of 2026 to conduct more in-depth basic geological and environmental geological scientific surveys.
