TWELVE scientists from Qingdao have returned from China’s 28th Antarctic expedition. The scientists traveled on the vessel and icebreaker, “Xuelong.”

The expedition took 163 days, during which time the scientists conducted research in the fields of marine organisms, physical oceanography and marine geology, bringing back animal samples from the Antarctic.

In addition, scientists installed two undersea made-in-China seismic detectors in the sea area of Prydz Bay. It is the first time for China to install undersea seismic detectors in the Antarctic. The two seismic detectors will stay there for around three months to conduct unremitting monitoring.

The scientists on the vessel overcame huge winds and severe seasickness, insisting on their research work.

A senior engineer from Qingdao’s Ocean University of China, Jiao Yutian, said the most unforgettable part of the expedition was the five huge cyclones they encountered, each of which carried a gale.

It is Jiao’s 10th expedition to the Antarctic.

(Li Hao, Dong Zhi, Liu Yanling)