Geology Reference
In-Depth Information
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Keywords
China
Geoparks
Geological background
Distribution
Achievements
Mots-clés
Chine
G
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oparcs
Background g
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ologique
Distribution
R
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alisations
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1
Introduction
formed since the Cenozoic. Its main characteristic is the
steppe topography which is high in the west, and low in the
east, and the active fault belts that exhibit regular distribution
(Ye et al.
1998
). The Yanshan (Mesozoic) and neotectonic
movements are the important internal geologic forces that
created the landforms. The process of regional tectonic evo-
lution and the comprehensive role of internal and external
geologic forces formed the multi-level topography of the
subcontinent. From west to east, there are three steppes and
four topography terraces (Wu et al.
2001
) as follows.
The
The topography and nearshore bathymetry of China includes
the Tibetan plateau, the loess plateau, karst plateau, moun-
tain valley areas, hills, plains, rivers, and the continental
shelf, across different geomorphic units. With the diversi
-
cation of the geological and geomorphic types, soil types
and climatic conditions, there are various natural ecological
systems such as snow-mountains, forests, grasslands,
deserts, wetlands, plains, coastal islands and marine features.
China, from the west to the Paci
c, is located in the Asian
monsoon zone with the largest environment change rate on
the Earth, and the cycle among the sea-continent-atmosphere
system has global signi
rst topographic terrace, the Tibetan plateau called
“
, is the highest level topographic
terrace, which is surrounded by the mountains of the Pamirs,
Altun, Qilian, Hengduan and Himalayas. In the east, the
Hengduan mountains were uplifted rapidly during the
Cenozoic. The plateau altitude is 3,000
the roof of the world
”
cance.
Chinese natural conditions are unique, and provide geo-
graphical advantages in Earth Science research. The Paci
c
Rim belt, Central Asia belt and the Tethys orogenic belt
occur in China (Wang
1985
). These have contributed to the
complexity of the lithosphere structure, and the dominant
position in geological evolution in the world.
The geological record in China is rich and varied. From
the viewpoint of geodynamic processes, the continental
blocks in China have moved and interacted throughout
geological time, and provide excellent opportunities for
research into contemporary geodynamic processes, acting as
important
4,000 m, and
5,000 m in the northern part. The top of the plateau is rel-
atively
-
at, and high in the west and low in the east. The
plateau is the birthplace of the main Asian water system.
Through the strong erosion of the Jinsha, Nujiang, and
Lancang rivers, spectacular landscapes of high mountains
and deep valleys were formed. At an elevation of 3,000 m, it
forms the
rst steppe along the plateau verge.
To the east and north of the Tibetan plateau, the second
level topography terrace is 1,000
2,000 m high. It consists
of the Xinjiang, Alxa, and Inner Mongolia plateaux, the
Loess plateau and Yun-gui plateau, and a few basins such as
the Tarim basin, Sichuan basin and Hexi corridor. There also
are neotectonic uplift mountains, such as the Tianshan,
Qinling, and Yinshan mountains etc. The eastern boundary
is along the Hinggan mountain, Taihang mountain and
Xuefeng mountain. This is the second steppe.
The altitude of the third level topography terrace is less
than 500
-
cance.
The long evolutionary history and complex geodynamic
processes have resulted in a great diversity of geologic and
geomorphic units, as well as major global representatives.
eld research laboratories with global signi
2
Geological Background
of the Geoheritage Resources in China
1,000 m. It consists of the eastern broad plains and
low mountains. Three major plains: the Northeast, the North,
and the Middle-lower Yangtze Plain are less than 200 m. In
the east, there are fault-block uplifted low mountains and,
-
As a result of its long geological evolution, China is made up
of several blocks, which are relatively stable in the long-
term, and active belts between the blocks. The present
geographic patterns of the Chinese subcontinent have been
