42nd Antarctic Expedition

• China has launched its 42nd Antarctic expedition, marking the start of its first scientific drilling in subglacial lakes.

• The 42nd Antarctic expedition aims to study Antarctica's geological evolution, the history of ice sheets, and the continent's natural resources.

• Researchers will use advanced drilling technology and domestically developed hot-water and thermal-melting drills.

• With the drill, researchers will take samples from ice layers more than 3,000 meters thick.

• The team will collect long-term climate and sediment samples from areas such as the Amundsen Sea and the Ross Sea.

• China currently operates five research stations in Antarctica. Its fifth major station was inaugurated last year.