IN 1974 Chinese scientific workers continued their large-scale comprehensive survey on southwest　China's Chinghai-Tibet Plateau. They　collected valuable data and achieved　new results in special research geared　to the needs of local industrial and　agricultural development.

The Chinghai-Tibet Plateau, known　as the "Roof of the World," with its　unique geographical features and　abundant natural resources, poses a　wide range of questions for scientific　research. A team of scientific workers arrived here in 1973 to make a　comprehensive survey, and more　joined the effort in 1974. They came　from institutes under the Chinese　Academy of Sciences, provincial　scientific institutions, colleges and　the departments connected in Tibet. The investigation involved participants from more than 30 fields of　specialization including geology, geo0morphology, the Quaternary age, geothermics, glaciology, geography, zoology, botany, soil agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, pastureland, water conservancy and altitude physioiogy. It covered the area east　of Shigatse, the Loka area and the　city of Lhasa, and involved supplementary surveys in the vicinity of Mount Jolmo　Lungma.

Most of the Chinghai -Tibet Plateau is　over 4,000 metres above sea level; the air is thin and traffic facilities poor. The　scientific workers　overcame many difficulties as they　 carried out one survey after another. They made　a study of the　Meto area and the　big river bend section of gorges along the Yalu Tsangpo　River for the first time and collected　fairly systematic data on hydrological　characteristics, geological structure, river valley geomorphology, forest resources, natural geography, soil, vegetation and wild life. Many new　species of animals and plants were　discovered.

Surveyors working under freezing　temperatures at high altitudes deficient in oxygen recorded observations　of melting and shifting glaciers to ascertain the laws of their formation, development and movement on the　plateau. The data which they accumulated pertaining to the prevention　of avalanches and similar disasters, and to the utilization of melted snow and ice, has enriched China's achievements in glaciological research.

The　Chinghai-Tibet　Plateau abounds in hot springs, many of　them 80 to 90 degrees centigrade in　temperature (above the local boiling　point), some so hot that they form　spurting jets of steam. The surveyors' observations of each spring and　analysis of specimens collected from　them supply data for the exploitation and utilization of geothermal resources in the Tibet region.

While collecting basic scientific information and delving into theoretical　questions pertaining to the plateau, the scientific workers studied special　subjects bearing on local industrial　and agricultural development so as　to contribute to the building of a new　socialist Tibet. For instance, due attention to the investigation of mineral resources enabled them to provide　production departments with clues as　to the whereabouts of mineral deposits, and to accumulate material　for further research into the history　of development of highland geology　and the regularities of ore-formation　on the plateau. They made forest　surveys in several zones and handed　in timely reports of timber resources, some already under utilization, others　about to be opened up. As a focal point, one survey investigated how　far areas suitable for growing wheat　extended, how to increase grain yields　and what possibilities existed for　bringing water resources into wider　use for irrigation.

(This article appears on page 22, No. 6, 1975)