Plateau offers glimpse of ancient conditions

The Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau is gaining significance for providing early indications of climate and environmental changes.

Known as the Third Pole region, the area is a hot spot for climate research because it has the deepest levels of ice outside of the north and south poles.

In 2009, the Chinese Academy of Science initiated the Third Pole Environment Program to focus international research on key environmental aspects of the plateau and nearby regions.