The IC-DLI expedition team led by Prof. Xiang Xiao participated in the China-New Zealand Joint Expedition to the Kermadec Trench by R/V “Tan Suo Yi Hao” from October to December, 2022, and carried out scientific expedition of the hadal trench in the Southern Pacific Ocean successfully. Other team members were Prof. Yu Zhang, Prof. Huahua Jian and Dr. Liang Dong. The cruise was organized by the IDSSE and included members from New Zealand's National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, the Auckland Museum, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Tongji University, and Qingdao BGI Institute. The entire cruise lasted for 81 days. Prof Xiang Xiao was the co-chief scientist. Prof. Xiang Xiao and Prof. Yu Zhang participated in the first voyage of expedition; Prof. Huahua Jian participated in the second voyage; and Dr. Liang Dong finished the entire expedition. IC-DLI members with collaborative team dived six times via HOV Fendouzhe and reached a depth of over 10,000 meters twice. Abundant hadal sediments, bottom seawater, RNA in-situ fixation and rock samples were collected, which will contribute to the sample collections of the IC-DLI from Kermadec Trench and will be used to address crucial scientific issues such as the evolution and adaptation mechanism of hadal life, the evolution of abyssal environments, and plate subduction and material exchange flux.

 Group photo of the first voyage. People from left to right are Dr. Liang Dong, Prof. Xiang Xiao and Prof. Yu Zhang.

Group photo of the second voyage. Pictured are Prof. Huahua Jian (left) and Dr. Liang Dong (right).