At an altitude of 8,830 metres above sea level, Chinese scientists recently established the world's highest meteorological station on Mount Everest, or as they call it, Qomolangma. According to CGTN, China already has seven such stations, three of which are located between 5,200 and 8,300 metres on the mountain's north side. The one established now is a world record, for it surpasses what is currently the world's highest weather station at 8430 meters.?
That station was set up by British and US scientists on the south side of the same mountain in 2019. The Chinese researcher, Zhao Huabiao, said that the "elevation gradient meteorological station system is of great significance for monitoring the melting glaciers and mountain snow at high altitudes."?
Setting up a weather station on the top of the world's highest mountain range is part of an Earth Summit Mission of China. "Earth Summit Mission 2022" is part of China's second scientific research survey on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The team will complete three tasks after summiting Mount Qomolangma, including establishing the world's highest meteorological station at 8,830 metres above sea level.?
The scientific investigation was carried out by a group of twelve people. The team includes members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research; the Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences; and the Tibet Autonomous Region's Meteorological Bureau. The scientific crew? conducted observation and sample missions after reaching the summit.
The weather station will be the first to utilise high-precision radar to detect the thickness of snow and ice on the mountains on the China-Nepal border, according to the South China Morning Post. According to the reports, the station will obtain data from the surrounding area, filling the gap in the meteorological record of the world's "third pole." The station, which is powered by solar panels and has a satellite communications system for data transfer, is expected to endure two years under adverse weather conditions, according to CGTN.
Speaking on the purpose of this expedition, the Chinese researcher noted that their mission is to set up the world’s highest automatic weather station, which will fill the gap of meteorological observation of the highest areas not only in China but also in the world.? Wu Jianguang, researcher at the Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research (ITP) told: "We want to know what's inside the snow at the highest altitude on Earth." The mission will also investigate the pattern of climate change and the variance of greenhouse gas concentrations at Mount Everest's extreme altitudes.
China sets up weather station atop Mount Everest: All you need to know about it. (2022, May 5). Firstpost. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
'Earth Summit Mission 2022' research team set to summit Mt. Qomolangma. (2022, May 4). CGTN. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
Kadam, T. (2022, May 6). 'Conquering The Everest' -- China Sets Up The World's Highest Weather Station On World's Highest Peak. EurAsian Times. Retrieved May 20, 2022.?For more on explainers, news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.