中国离首个南极永久机场不远了 China discovers ideal blue ice sheet for building airport in Antarctic

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

A Chinese research team has discovered(发现 fāxiàn) a potential airfield location(位置 wèizhì) in the Antarctic as it spots a large sheet of blue ice(蓝冰 lán bīng)perfect for aircraft to make take-offs(起飞 qǐfēi) and landings(降落 jiàngluò).

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(转换 zhuǎnhuàn) their landing gears(装置 zhuāngzhì), according to Sun Bo, the leader of China's 35th Antarctic research expedition team.

"Blue ice provides good bearing capacity(承载力 chéngzài lì), high resistance(抗冲击性 kàng chōngjí xìng) and stability(稳定性 wěndìng xìng) for planes," said Sun.

There are currently eight blue ice airfields in the South Pole, yet China owns(拥有 yǒngyǒu) zero(零 líng) in terms of permanent airports.

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]

重点词汇 Key Word:

发现

• <动词 v.> find; discover
  E.g. Wǒ fāxiàn nǐ jīngcháng gēn nàgè nǚhái chūqù.
  我发现你经常跟那个女孩出去。
  I've noticed that you often go out with that girl.

• <名词 n.> findings; discovery
  E.g. Cuòwù yī jīng fāxiàn,jiù yīng gǎizhèng.
  错误一经发现，就应改正。
  Mistakes should be corrected upon detection.