Abstract:

Dome Argus,the highest ice dome in Antarctica,due to its unique geographic location and potential science resource,draws international attention,and has become an important frontier of Antarctic ice sheet studies.During the 24th Chinese National Research Expedition(CHINARE-24)in 2007/2008 austral summer,the second ground investigations of Dome A were performed.This expedition,with particular emphasis on Chinese first inland station pre-site survey and the implement of IPY Chinese program—PANDA,consisted of a 17-member team with a range of scientific equipment,transported by an over-ice tractor convoy.The team stepped onto the summit of Dome A successfully and performed systematic and multi-disciplinary scientific investigations in the centre of Dome A,as well as the transect surveying from Zhongshan Station,achieved significant expedition outcomes in the fields of Dome A scientific expedition,Chinese inland station pre-site survey and Chinese inland traverse capability building.