ID :
105725
Wed, 02/10/2010 - 10:33
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/105725
The shortlink copeid
S. Korean engineers complete survey of Antarctic station candidate site
TERRA NOVA BAY, Antarctica, Feb. 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korean engineers aboard the icebreaker vessel Araon said Wednesday they have completed their detailed survey of a candidate site for the country's second Antarctic research station.
The experts who arrived at the Terra Nova Bay last Saturday wrapped up their
survey earlier in the day after checking the overall construction environment,
water supply, plant and wild life and weather conditions around the site.
They also checked the extent of the ice sheets near the prospective site using
the helicopter on board the Araon.
The information collected at both Terra Nova Bay and at Cape Burks, which the
Araon visited first, will be forwarded to the state-run Korea Polar Research
Institute (KOPRI) that is responsible for building the research station.
Once KOPRI makes a decision, the plan will be sent to the Antarctic Treaty
Committee around April. If approved, construction on the second site is expected
to begin in 2012 and be completed by 2014.
The committee regulates preservation efforts and scientific research on the
continent and oversees the 47-member Antarctic Treaty that went into force in
1961.
South Korea already runs the King Sejong Station, located on King George Island,
but said another base located on the frozen continent is needed to carry out more
meaningful scientific tests on Antarctic conditions.
"Surveys of both Cape Burks and Terra Nova Bay have been completed successfully
with the advantages and disadvantages of both sites checked in detail," an
official said, adding there will be no need for the ship and its crew to check
other potential sites.
The Araon, meanwhile, will conduct a test to check its ice breaking capabilities
before reaching Christchurch, New Zealand, on Feb. 20.
The 7,487-ton icebreaker and research ship, christened last year, left
Christchurch, New Zealand on Jan. 12. It is equipped with various oceanographic,
geophysical and arctic environment laboratories and has an endurance of 37,000
kilometers, or about 70 days. It is designed to sail through sheet ice up to 1
meter thick at 5.5 kilometers per hour.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)
The experts who arrived at the Terra Nova Bay last Saturday wrapped up their
survey earlier in the day after checking the overall construction environment,
water supply, plant and wild life and weather conditions around the site.
They also checked the extent of the ice sheets near the prospective site using
the helicopter on board the Araon.
The information collected at both Terra Nova Bay and at Cape Burks, which the
Araon visited first, will be forwarded to the state-run Korea Polar Research
Institute (KOPRI) that is responsible for building the research station.
Once KOPRI makes a decision, the plan will be sent to the Antarctic Treaty
Committee around April. If approved, construction on the second site is expected
to begin in 2012 and be completed by 2014.
The committee regulates preservation efforts and scientific research on the
continent and oversees the 47-member Antarctic Treaty that went into force in
1961.
South Korea already runs the King Sejong Station, located on King George Island,
but said another base located on the frozen continent is needed to carry out more
meaningful scientific tests on Antarctic conditions.
"Surveys of both Cape Burks and Terra Nova Bay have been completed successfully
with the advantages and disadvantages of both sites checked in detail," an
official said, adding there will be no need for the ship and its crew to check
other potential sites.
The Araon, meanwhile, will conduct a test to check its ice breaking capabilities
before reaching Christchurch, New Zealand, on Feb. 20.
The 7,487-ton icebreaker and research ship, christened last year, left
Christchurch, New Zealand on Jan. 12. It is equipped with various oceanographic,
geophysical and arctic environment laboratories and has an endurance of 37,000
kilometers, or about 70 days. It is designed to sail through sheet ice up to 1
meter thick at 5.5 kilometers per hour.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)
