Geology Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 8
Sandstone peak forest in
Zhangjiajie geopark
(3)
In many geoparks, the geological heritage usually
results from multi-episodic geologic processes. For
example, there were four volcanic eruption events in
Zhangzhou geopark that formed the overriding volcanic
rocks with different structural characteristics. Columnar
joints occur only in particular locations. Outcrops of the
volcanic gas cones are exposed by the long-term marine
erosion in the late-stage (Fig.
25
). In Lushan geopark,
since the Mesozoic, the rapid differential uplift of faults
has led to the creation of block mountains, which sup-
plied the important foundation for glacial development
in the Quaternary. The hard metamorphic rock complex
is the foundation of the cliffs and gorges. In the Shilin
geopark, the prototype of the
was formed
before the Emeishan basalt eruption in the late Permian,
as shown by the basalt in-
“
stone forest
”
lling of the karst caves. In the
Cenozoic, the north-south Kangdian fault belt produced
sa rift and differential uplift, which were the important
factors resulting in the formation of the varied shapes in
the
.
(4) The geological events often played a key role in the
formation of some of the geological relics. Some are
geologic hazard relics, such as the relics of landslides in
the Cuihuashan geopark, the Qianjiang geopark, and the
Yigong geopark etc. (Figs.
26
and
27
). In the Zigong
geopark and the Shanwang geopark, the palaeontologi-
cal research shows cluster death and burial, which indi-
cates a great geologic event and large palaeo-
environment change in the period (Figs.
28
and
29
).
“
stone forests
”
Fig. 9
Column of volcanic rock in Linhai geopark
geopark are the typical volcanic representatives in the
different tectonic positions and periods (Figs.
21
,
22
,
23
and
24
).
