TIBET PALAEONTOLOGY

Situated at the core of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and bordered by the Himalayas to the south, Tibet possesses a complex geological framework that preserves critical stratigraphical records of Tethyan tectonic evolution, plateau uplift, and the continental assembly of Asia. Beyond its well-documented marine sequences and deep-time geological records, certain regions of Tibet host Mesozoic terrestrial sedimentary strata, which hold significant potential for preserving dinosaur-era vertebrate fossils.

 

However, compared to other Mesozoic fossil-bearing strata across China, the terrestrial vertebrate record of Tibet remains exceptionally sparse. Owing to extreme altitudes, challenging terrain, and the inherent difficulties of high-alpine field operations, many promising formations have yet to receive systematic palaeontological surveys. Addressing these critical lacunae is vital, as these data gaps hold essential clues for reconstructing Asian palaeoecology, understanding palaeoenvironments, and reconstructing global vertebrate evolution.

 

The Hong Kong Palaeontology Research Centre maintains long-term collaborations with investigators from the geological survey institution in southwest China, participating in field expeditions in Tibet since 2025. Through integrated geological surveys, fossil documentation, and subsequent collaborative research, the Centre aims to progressively address gaps in Tibet's Mesozoic vertebrate record, uncovering critical evidence of dinosaur-era biodiversity across the plateau region.