Progress and prospects in Chinese Antarctic surveying, mapping and remote sensing studies

• Main Authors: Dongchen, E, Shengkai, Zhang
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Polar Research Institute of China - PRIC 2012
• Subjects: Maps; Antarctic; Zhongshan; Grove Mountains; George Islands; Dome Argus; King George Islands; Advances in Polar Science; Antarc*; Antarctica; Ice Sheet; Polar Science
• Online Access: http://library.arcticportal.org/2440/; http://library.arcticportal.org/2440/1/A20120101.pdf

Antarctic surveying, mapping and remote sensing is one of the important aspects of the Chinese Antarctic geoscience research program that stretch back over 25 years, since the first Chinese National Antarctic Research Expedition (CHINARE) in 1984. During the 1980’s, the geodetic datum, height system and absolute gravity datum were established at the Great Wall and Zhongshan Stations. Significant contributions have been made by the construction of the Chinese Great Wall, Zhongshan and Kunlun Stations in Antarctica. Geodetic control and gravity networks were established in the King George Islands, Grove Mountains and Dome Argus. An area of more than 200 000 km2 has been mapped using satellite image data, aerial photogrammetry and in situ data. Permanent GPS stations and tide gauges have been established at both the Great Wall and Zhongshan Stations. Studies involving plate motion, precise satellite orbit determination, the gravity field, sea level change, and various GPS applications for atmospheric studies have been carried out. Based on remote sensing techniques, studies have been undertaken on ice sheet and glacier movements, the distributions of blue ice and ice crevasses, and ice mass balance. Polar digital and visual mapping techniques have been introduced, and a polar survey space database has been built. The Chinese polar scientific expedition management information system and Chinese PANDA plan display platform were developed, which provides technical support for Chinese polar management. Finally, this paper examines prospects for future Chinese Antarctic surveying, mapping and remote sensing.