China's polar research icebreaker Xuelong, or Snow Dragon, currently on the country's 42nd Antarctic expedition, will plough through the belt of prevailing westerlies on its return journey.
On Thursday, the vessel crossed 60 degrees south latitude, the southern edge of the westerly wind belt, and will now traverse the belt from south to north.
This marks the sixth time Xuelong has crossed the westerlies during the current expedition. The icebreaker is scheduled to arrive in Shanghai in early April.
Meanwhile, Xuelong 2, another polar icebreaker participating in the mission, is heading to Prydz Bay in Antarctica to conduct scientific research on the Southern Ocean ecosystem during the austral autumn. It is expected to return to Shanghai in late May.
China's polar icebreaker to plough through belt of prevailing westerlies
