Geoscience

Virgin Cruise to Indian Ocean

After a voyage of 7,900 nautical miles marine exploration in 48 days, China’s first small twin hull (SWATH) research vessel “Shiyan-1” of the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology successfully completed its first integrated investigation in the Indian Ocean and returned to the Xinzhou Wharf on May 29. Headed by Prof. Wang Dongxiao, chief scientist and Prof. Chen Rongyu, the 31 members’ team, composed of three groups working on environment, geology and biology. The mission of the investigation team was to carry out an integrated investigation in relevant waters in the Indian Ocean and the western area of the South China Sea. The first integrated Indian Ocean exploration by the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology has scored great success in obtaining comparatively comprehensive real time oceanographic data of the Bengal Bay and eastern equatorial Indian Ocean, which, in combination with accumulative database of the South China Sea, will facilitate systematic scientific research and in-depth exploration of the relationship between the South China Sea and its adjacent areas; and laying a solid foundation for the future ocean scientific investigation based on the acquired preliminary knowledge of the zonal oceanography in the tropical Indian Ocean through cruising and stationary observations in physical oceanography, marine ecosystems, marine geology and marine meteorology.