GUANGZHOU, Aug. 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese scientists said they have, for the first time, reached 302.07 meters below the seafloor during a scientific drilling and coring mission on the northern shelf of the South China Sea.
Researchers announced the breakthrough after completing the latest expedition aboard Haiyang Dizhi-10, or literally Ocean Geology 10, a domestically built marine geological survey vessel, on Friday.
The depth set a new record for Quaternary System core drillings at Chinese shelf areas, said Zhang Jinpeng, a senior engineer at Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey (GMGS).
Offshore drilling is the most direct method to probe into the Earth's interior and allows geoscientists to collect sediment and rock samples from deep within the Earth.
The latest drilling took place 175 km away from the Pearl River Estuary, south China's Guangdong Province, at a water depth of 92 meters, according to Zhang.
The geological samples obtained from this mission will help scientists better understand the area's carbon burial history and geological evolutionary history of the paleo-Pearl River Delta, as well as the relationship between local sea levels and global climate changes, Zhang said.
Wang Shidong, an engineer of GMGS, said the drilling work deployed China-developed equipment such as hydraulic piston corer and innovative marine deep-hole drilling technologies to ensure the high quality of the samples.
Ohio judge to rule Monday on whether the state’s abortion ban stands
Organizations Work Together to Strengthen Protection of Changzhou Women's Rights
Federations Help Cadres, Volunteers Better Understand Laws
Hebei Improves Cadres' Ability to Protect Women, Children's Rights
Burglar hurled stolen mobile phones at police from the top of 60ft high roof during nine
Helping Volunteers, Cadres Improve Ability to Protect Women, Children's Rights
Heilongjiang Protects Girls' Safety, Legal Rights, Interests
Online reading or offline clubs? Young Chinese embrace both in digital era
Street Known for Good Family Values, Traditions