China discovers ideal blue ice sheet for building airport in Antarctic

A Chinese research team has discovered a potential airfield location in the Antarctic as it spots a large sheet of blue ice perfect for aircraft to make take-offs and landings.

The blue ice sheet that China's 35th Antarctic research expedition team discovered in the Antarctic. [Photo: Xinhua]

The spot is located about 10 kilometers (6 miles) from a research base camp of China in the South Pole.

Chinese research members dig into the ice with an ice auger to study a blue ice sheet they discovered in the Antarctic on December 12, 2018. [Photo: Xinhua]

All kinds of large aircraft can make their take-off and landing on a blue ice airport without transforming their landing gears, according to Sun Bo, the leader of China's 35th Antarctic research expedition team.

"Blue ice provides good bearing capacity, high resistance and stability for planes," said Sun.

Chinese research members dig into the ice with an ice auger to study a blue ice sheet they discovered in the Antarctic on December 12, 2018. [Photo: Xinhua]

There are currently eight blue ice airfields in the South Pole, yet China owns zero in terms of permanent airports.