'Polar Pod' floating laboratory will flip onto its side and drift around Antarctica to research the Southern Ocean
'Polar Pod' floating laboratory will flip onto its side and drift around Antarctica to research the Southern Ocean

The wild waters of the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica are one of the planet's biggest carbon stores. The ocean absorbs around 12% of all carbon dioxide generated by humans each year, but despite its huge importance in regulating the Earth's climate, it has barely been studied by science.

French explorer and environmentalist Jean-Louis Etienne has spent the last 10 years designing a scientific vessel capable of braving the terrifying waves and winds found there.

His floating laboratory, called the Polar Pod, will stand 100 meters high and weigh 1,000 tons.

 

Image: Anders Jilden, Unsplash  

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cnn.com

by Katy Scott, CNN

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