Bogotá, January 28 (RHC-PL) -- The first Colombian scientific program in the Antarctic made progress Tuesday following the placement of 20 oceanographic stations at different depths within the so-called frozen continent.

One of the priorities of the team made up of 100 people, mainly researchers and sailors, is to study the influence of changes in the Antarctic climate on other regions of the world.

The specialists said before departing Cartagena de Indias on December 16 that the expedition was seeking to obtain advance information on the possible consequences of climatic change on Colombia, particularly on coastal regions.

The expedition will also perform a study on local resources and the adaptation of different species to the rough conditions of the Antarctic.

The ship 'ARC 20 de Julio' and its expedition will remain in the Gerlache Strait until February 7, then they will set sail towards the Nelson Strait where their studies will continue, said the newspaper El Mundo.

The project should conclude on March 12, when some 14,417 nautical miles will have been completed during 87 days.