Chinese Journal of Polar Research

ADVANCES IN POLAR SCIENCE ›› 2014, Vol. 26 ›› Issue (4): 487-495.DOI: 10.13679/j.jdyj.2014.4.487

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ANALYSIS OF OCEANNIC AND METEOROLOGICAL ELEMENTS WHEN R/V XUELONG IN THE ANTARCTIC PACK ICE ZONE IN EARLY JANUARY 2014

Zhang Lin1,Li Chunhua1, Cai Xianming2,Wei Lixin1, Li Ming1,Sun Qizhen1, Li Zhiqiang1, Zhao Jiechen1, Zhao Biao1,Liu Fubin1, Tian Zhongxiang1, Meng Shang1, Sun Hulin1, Ma Jin1, Su Bo1, Yu Haipeng1, Liu Yang1   

  1.  
    1Key Laboratory of Research on Marine Hazards Forecasting, National Marine Environmental Forecasting Center, Beijing 100081, China;
    2Beijing Institute of Remote Sensing Information, Beijing 100192, China
  • Received:2014-02-26 Revised:2014-07-17 Online:2014-12-30 Published:2014-12-30

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Abstract: The R/V Xue Long icebreaker was trapped in Commonwealth Bay, Antarctica, after taking part in the rescue of passengers from the Russian vessel Akademik Shokalskiy in January 2014. Monitoring of sea ice information and accurate weather forecasting were key to the successful breakout of the vessel. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of the sea ice, meteorological, and oceanographic conditions to determine the reasons for the vessel becoming trapped. First, sea ice conditions were complex in the area, where first-year ice was mixed with multi-year ice. The area was closed to the continental shelf and was surrounded by large icebergs. Second, continuous strong easterly winds associated with a number of cyclones caused the sea ice to move westward and to accumulate in the area.

Key words: Antarctica, sea ice, meteorology, forecasting