This photo taken on July 12, 2024 shows the samples collected from the lake core of 402.2 meters on Nam Co, in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

Multinational researchers have successfully drilled 402.2 meters of lake core in Nam Co, the world's highest saltwater lake in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region on Friday.

The team have been carrying out a core drilling project in Nam Co since early June, providing data on climate and environmental changes on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau over the past million years.

The joint scientific expedition team comprises a lake and environmental change research team from the Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and scientists and drilling technicians from countries including Germany, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Nam Co, located in the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, with a lake-surface elevation of 4,718 meters, is the second largest lake in the region and an important scientific research base.

This photo taken on July 12, 2024 shows the samples collected from the lake core of 402.2 meters on Nam Co, in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

A researcher registers the samples collected from the lake core of 402.2 meters on Nam Co, in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, July 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

A researcher registers the samples collected from the lake core of 402.2 meters on Nam Co, in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, July 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

Researchers and technicians pose for a photo celebrating the collecting of samples from the lake core of 402.2 meters on Nam Co, in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, July 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

An aerial drone photo taken on July 12, 2024 shows a drilling platform on Nam Co, in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

An aerial drone photo taken on July 12, 2024 shows a drilling platform on Nam Co, in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

Researchers and technicians collect samples from the lake core of 402.2 meters on Nam Co, in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, July 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

Technicians collect samples from the lake core of 402.2 meters on Nam Co, in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, July 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

A researcher measures the samples collected from the lake core of 402.2 meters on Nam Co, in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, July 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

This photo taken on July 12, 2024 shows the samples collected from the lake core of 402.2 meters on Nam Co, in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)

Technicians collect samples from the lake core of 402.2 meters on Nam Co, in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, July 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Jigme Dorje)