Jilin University powers China's polar research breakthrough
The test field in East Antarctica. [Photo/The 42nd Antarctic expedition team]
China's 42nd Antarctic expedition team has achieved a major scientific breakthrough, completing the country's first hot-water drilling test through Antarctic ice and setting a new international record.
The operation reached a depth of 3,413 meters, surpassing the previous global benchmark of 2,540 meters and marking a significant step forward in polar research capabilities.
The research team members from Jilin University pose for a group photo. [Photo/The 42nd Antarctic expedition team]
The test was conducted in the subglacial lake region of East Antarctica between January and February 2026. Guided technically by Academician Sun Youhong of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, the project was jointly led by Jilin University, which played a central role in both planning and execution.
A specialized research team from the College of Construction Engineering at Jilin University conducted the drilling operation, supported by a domestically developed rapid hot-water drilling system designed for polar ice sheets. This system enabled efficient and precise drilling through ice layers exceeding 3,000 meters in thickness.
Compared with conventional mechanical drilling, hot-water drilling offers stronger penetration and higher efficiency. It also enables large-diameter, clean drilling operations, making it a preferred method for accessing subglacial lakes, ice-shelf bases, and bedrock beneath ice sheets – critical environments for polar research.
The scene beneath the Antarctic ice sheet during the test. [Photo/The 42nd Antarctic expedition team]
The success of this test demonstrates China's capability to conduct drilling research across more than 90 percent of the Antarctic ice sheet and the entirety of the Arctic ice cover. It also highlights key technological advances, including improved performance in extremely low temperatures, effective control of external contamination, and high-precision management of deep-drilling hoses and winch systems.