GOBI, Mongolia, May 31, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Explorers Club Hong Kong Chapter (ECHK) together with INFINITI Motor Company, Ltd. (IML), will begin an expedition on June 5 in the Gobi Desert to revisit the historic expedition of Roy Chapman Andrews and identify new dinosaur fossil sites. In the 1920s, Andrews discovered fossilized dinosaur eggs on the first archaeological mission to use motorized vehicles, which allowed him to more efficiently access remote terrain in Mongolia.
Using a fleet of INFINITI SUVs, combined with Drone LiDar technology, the team – comprised of paleontologists, archaeologists and geologists – will be able to survey an area heretofore impossible to cover efficiently. The Drone LiDar will aid the team’s search for specific geological markers. The team expects to find a trove of new sites that can be unearthed over the next decades.
Commenting on the expedition, Michael Barth, Founder and Chairman, The Explorers Club Hong Kong Chapter said: “The Gobi expedition marks roughly the 100-year anniversary of Andrews’ historic discovery of the first-ever nest of fossilized dinosaur eggs, which not only proved that dinosaurs were reptilian, but opened up Mongolia for future discoveries. Our expedition will commemorate the last one hundred years of dinosaur finds, and, together with Mongolia’s Institute of Paleontology and Geology (IPG), set up the next millennium for untold scientific discoveries in the Gobi. Our collaboration with INFINITI is symbolic of what ties us together — a desire to challenge ourselves in the pursuit and use of new scientific knowledge.”
INFINITI has a 30-year history of technological firsts, pushing boundaries and empowering people to find their next frontier. Like The Explorers Club, INFINITI is insatiably curious, technologically forward and pushes beyond existing boundaries in pursuit of new discoveries like the VC-Turbo.
“The Explorers Club is known for its famous firsts: first to the North Pole, the South Pole, the top of Everest, the bottom of the ocean, and first to the moon,” said Will Roseman, Executive Director of The Explorers Club. “We are very excited to partner with INFINITI, which also has many famous firsts, including the world’s first production variable compression engine in its all new QX50. We share a passion for discovery and for scientific advancement and we are all looking forward to seeing the results of this historic expedition.”
During the 20-day expedition, a 35-person team will traverse more than 1,000 miles of Gobi terrain in INFINITI SUVs, including the all-new 2019 QX50. They will follow much of Andrews’ 1920s routes, including The Flaming Cliffs, where Andrews made his first discoveries; the town of Anda, an important site for dinosaur fossils; and chart new terrain inaccessible to Andrews’ original expeditions.
Andrews’ expedition was one of the first to carry the Expedition Flag for The Explorers Club, one of only 202 flags that the club loans out to expeditions that hold the promise of making new scientific discoveries. Flags have since been carried to summit of Mt. Everest, to the deepest point of the ocean, the Challenger Deep in the Marianna trench, and to the surface of the moon. Following in these illustrious footsteps, the Gobi team has been awarded the signal honor of carrying The Explorers Club Flag #179 on their expedition.
The expedition supports the Institute of Paleontology and Geology (IPG) Mongolian Academy of Sciences, which catalogs and interprets the archaeological and geological significance of the area. This is one of the first major expeditions in the Gobi to rely on the scientific leadership of an all-Mongolian paleontology team.
The team will document every step of their journey, sharing video footage and photography once the expedition is complete. You can follow updates on The Explorers Club Hong Kong Chapter and INFINITI Motor Company social media channels for more information.
https://twitter.com/ExplorersHK/status/999519768037154816
https://twitter.com/ExplorersHK/status/995897790730452992
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjZVRl4Ht8c/?taken-by=explorershk
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About The Explorers Club
The Explorers Club is an international multidisciplinary professional society dedicated to the advancement of field research and the ideal that it is vital to preserve the instinct to explore. Since its inception in 1904, the Club has served as a meeting point and unifying force for explorers and scientists worldwide. Founded in New York City in 1904, The Explorers Club promotes the scientific exploration of land, sea, air, and space by supporting research and education in the physical, natural and biological sciences. The Club’s members have been responsible for an illustrious series of famous firsts: First to the North Pole, first to the South Pole, first to the summit of Mount Everest, first to the deepest point in the ocean, first to the surface of the moon—all accomplished by our members.
The Hong Kong chapter was formed in 2014 to promote the values and work of The Explorers Club in the region, and to make Hong Kong the platform for a new era of exploration of Asia and beyond.
For more information about The Explorers Club Hong Kong Chapter, follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
About INFINITI
INFINITI Motor Company Ltd. is headquartered in Hong Kong with representations in 50 markets around the world. The INFINITI brand was launched in 1989. Its range of premium automobiles is currently built in manufacturing facilities in Japan, the United States, United Kingdom and China. INFINITI design studios are located in Atsugi-Shi near Yokohama, London, San Diego and Beijing. INFINITI is in the middle of a major product offensive. The brand has been widely acclaimed for its daring design and innovative driver-assistance technologies. From the 2016 season, INFINITI is a technical partner of the Renault Sport Formula One team, contributing its expertise in hybrid performance.
Find more information about INFINITI, its industry leading technologies and the all-new 2019 QX50 midsize luxury crossover at www.INFINITIUSA.com. You can also follow INFINITI US on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and see all our latest videos on YouTube.
About Institute of Paleontology and Geology (IPG), Mongolian Academy of Sciences
The primary purpose of the Institute of Paleontology and Geology (IPG) is to conduct world-class research and promote the extraordinary paleontological and geological resources of Mongolia. The aim of the IPG is to develop in-depth research on the ancient organisms of Mongolia (paleontology, evolution and biostratigraphy), and mineralization and geology of the Kherlen and Onon regions. The team consists of 82 team staff including researchers and administrative in the IPG.
Contact
Kyle Bazemore
Director, INFINITI Americas Corporate Communications
M: 615-739-8404
kyle.bazemore@infiniti.com
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/28158820-cc18-4465-b36f-4ec64cd91007
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