China’s cutting-edge research vessel Deep Sea No. 1 has set sail from Qingdao for a 45-day scientific adventure in the Western Pacific! The mission features the famed Jiaolong manned submersible, which will make 18 daring dives to study mysterious underwater ecosystems. Scientists aim to collect rare deep-sea organisms, seawater samples, and sediment – think of it as ‘Avatar: The Ocean Edition’, but 100% real!
This isn’t just a solo mission: 39 countries back China’s Digital Deep-sea Habitats Program, with researchers from Canada, Spain, and Colombia joining the voyage. Tang Dongmei of China’s Ministry of Natural Resources called it a ‘global effort to understand our blue planet’s final frontier’ – and yes, that’s as cool as it sounds.
The expedition could unlock secrets about seamount ecosystems critical for climate research and marine conservation. Who knew science could be this epic?
The mission features the famed Jiaolong manned submersible, which will make 18 daring dives to study mysterious underwater ecosystems. Scientists aim to collect rare deep-sea organisms, seawater samples, and sediment – think of it as ‘Avatar: The Ocean Edition’, but 100% real! 
Tang Dongmei of China’s Ministry of Natural Resources called it a ‘global effort to understand our blue planet’s final frontier’ – and yes, that’s as cool as it sounds. 
