The Italian icebreaker Laura Bassi has set sail from Littleton, New Zealand, embarking on a critical three-month research mission in the Ross Sea, Antarctica. This voyage marks the 40th Italian expedition to Antarctica, funded by the Ministry of University and Research (MUR) under the National Program for Antarctic Research (PNRA).
With a crew of 27 technical and scientific personnel alongside 23 crew members, the mission is divided into two legs. The first leg, lasting 35 days, focuses on three significant scientific projects, while the second leg, starting January 23, will last 43 days and involve additional research initiatives.
The Laura Bassi will conduct vital research on past and present interactions between ice, ocean, and sediments, study carbon and silica processes in the Southern Ocean, and investigate enigmatic underwater mounds affecting marine circulation. The icebreaker will also support the Beyond EPICA-Oldest Ice project, transporting ice cores for analysis.
This expedition aims to enhance our understanding of climate sensitivity in the Antarctic region and the ecological dynamics of polar ecosystems, with the return to New Zealand scheduled for March 7, 2025.