China Unveils Strongest Drilling Ship Mengxiang to Explore Earth’s Mantle for the First Time

China has revealed its first ocean drilling vessel called the Mengxiang, designed to penetrate the earth’s crust. If the vessel succeeds, it will be humanity’s first exploration of the upper mantle and will open new doors for future research into the same.

Video Credits: WION

The ship, whose name means Dream in Chinese, has been built by China Geological Survey in collaboration with 150 research institutions and companies. This vessel is one of a kind and has unique deep-sea drilling abilities that can allow humanity to venture where we could not even think of in the past.

This massive ship can carry 33,000 tonnes of cargo, cover 15,000 nm and operate for 120 days per port call. It is 179 m long, and its structure is sturdy and made to withstand the strongest tropical cyclones. Its drilling power is simply the best, and it can reach 11,000 m below the sea’s surface.

Scientific exploration has reached the crust’s surface layer, which is 15000 m thick. Below the crust is the mantle, which links the surface to the core. The boundary between the mantle and crust, Mohorovicic discontinuity/ Moho, is the last barrier to reaching the mantle.

Since the 1960s, Americans have tried to penetrate the Moho and explore the mantle but have been unsuccessful. However, this Chinese vessel gives hope to the scientific community keen to uncover the secrets of the mantle.

The Mengxiang underwent trials targeting its propulsion system. However, the core drilling details have yet to be discovered. Challenges remain, especially regarding reaching 11,000 m beneath the water surface in the presence of high temperatures and pressures.

References: WION, NDTV

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