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

Abstract

Antarctic surveying, mapping and remote sensing is one of the important aspects of the Chinese Antarctic geoscienceresearch program that stretch back over 25 years, since the first Chinese National Antarctic Research Expedition (CHINARE) in1984. During the 1980’s, the geodetic datum, height system and absolute gravity datum were established at the Great Wall andZhongshan Stations. Significant contributions have been made by the construction of the Chinese Great Wall, Zhongshan andKunlun Stations in Antarctica. Geodetic control and gravity networks were established in the King George Islands, Grove Mountainsand Dome Argus. An area of more than 200 000 km 2 has been mapped using satellite image data, aerial photogrammetry andin situ data. Permanent GPS stations and tide gauges have been established at both the Great Wall and Zhongshan Stations. Studiesinvolving plate motion, precise satellite orbit determination, the gravity field, sea level change, and various GPS applications foratmospheric studies have been carried out. Based on remote sensing techniques, studies have been undertaken on ice sheet andglacier movements, the distributions of blue ice and ice crevasses, and ice mass balance. Polar digital and visual mapping techniqueshave been introduced, and a polar survey space database has been built. The Chinese polar scientific expedition managementinformation system and Chinese PANDA plan display platform were developed, which provides technical support for Chinesepolar management. Finally, this paper examines prospects for future Chinese Antarctic surveying, mapping and remote sensing.