A Chinese Karst Cave: Zhijindong Cave
Overview
Zhijindong Cave, originally named Dajidong Cave, is located in Guanzhai Miao Ethnic Township, Guizhou, China. It was discovered by a Chinese geological prospecting team in April 1980 and opened to tourists in 1985 [2].
Karst topographical landscape is commonly found in China, and Zhijindong is a typical one in southern China [2]. Since Zhijindong Cave is huge, many environmental factors contribute to its formation. Moreover, Zhijindong Cave not only possesses scenery that attracts tourists, but also owns research values which draw scientists’ attention. Due to its beauty and scientific values, Zhijindong Cave has earned many national as well as international awards. It was approved as national natural heritage of China by National Tourism Administration in 2006. And on September 19th, 2015, Zhijindong Cave Global Geopark composed of Zhijindong Cave, Qijiehe River and Dongfenghu Lake has been approved by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) as Global Geopark [3][5].
Zhijindong Cave, originally named Dajidong Cave, is located in Guanzhai Miao Ethnic Township, Guizhou, China. It was discovered by a Chinese geological prospecting team in April 1980 and opened to tourists in 1985 [2].
Karst topographical landscape is commonly found in China, and Zhijindong is a typical one in southern China [2]. Since Zhijindong Cave is huge, many environmental factors contribute to its formation. Moreover, Zhijindong Cave not only possesses scenery that attracts tourists, but also owns research values which draw scientists’ attention. Due to its beauty and scientific values, Zhijindong Cave has earned many national as well as international awards. It was approved as national natural heritage of China by National Tourism Administration in 2006. And on September 19th, 2015, Zhijindong Cave Global Geopark composed of Zhijindong Cave, Qijiehe River and Dongfenghu Lake has been approved by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) as Global Geopark [3][5].
Contents
1. Karst Topography within Zhijindong Cave 2. Formation Factors 2.1 Tectonic movements 2.2 Petrology 2.3 Topology & Hydrology 2.4 Climate 3. Famous Scenic Areas 3.1 Guest-Greeting Hall 3.2 Moon Palace 3.3 Shiwan Mountain 4. Scientific Values 5. Major Honors 5.1 National level 5.2 Global level 6. Promo Film 7. Reference |
1. Karst topography within Zhijindong Cave
Karst topography, also known as Karst topographical landscapes, is widely distributed in China, and Zhijindong Cave is an example of it in southern China [2]. Karst topography development is caused by surface and ground water dissolving soluble rocks which leads to formation of sinkholes and caves [4]. Soluble rocks can be categorized into three types: carbonate rock (limestone, dolomite), sulfate rock (gypsum), and halogen rock (sylvite) [4]. All three types of rocks can be found in Zhijndong Cave, but the most common one is carbonate rock [1]. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a gas naturally existing in the atmosphere and the soil. As rain or snow fall soaks into the soil, water chemically reacts with carbon dioxide and becomes a weak acid called carbonic acid (H2CO3) [4]. Due to gravitational forces, the acidic water seeps downward and mixes into the ground water. Then, the ground water dissolves bedrocks along the surfaces and fractures of carbonate rocks. After millions of years, cave passages and caverns are gradually formed in Zhijindong Cave [4]. Due to physical and chemical processes, many interesting features have been formed in Zhijindong Cave. Zhijindong Cave is an air-filled cave [2]. When carbonate-dissolved water seeps into the cave, it evaporates or releases excess carbon dioxide, reacting with secondary carbonate or other minerals. These reactions form Zhijindong Cave and create speleothems (cave deposits) including stalactites which hang from cave ceilings, and stalagmites which protrudes from the cave floor [4]. |
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2. Formation Factors
Tectonic movements
Influenced by several intense tectonic movements during the Late Triassic, the territory of Guizhou province became land and gradually formed an inland plateau. After that, subsequent upward crust movements led to the constant formation of dispersive underground and surface rivers, which has contributed to constitute three independent multilayer geomorphic units, known as Zhijindong Cave, Qijiehe River and Dongfenghu Lake [3].
Petrology
The presence of water-soluble rocks is a key factor leading to Karst landform formation. Carbonate rocks, a type of water soluble rocks, are the major rock source composed nearly three quarters of exposed land in Guizhou province [1]. An abundant supply of carbonate rocks plays an important role forming Zhijindong Cave and the other two geomorphic units [1].
Topology & Hydrology
Zhijindong cave is located in upstream Wujiang River and southern Liuchong River. It is comprised of many hills, lowlands, and valleys. The nearby surface water is rare, but the deep underground water is sufficient for dissolving rocks. In addition, due to its hilly terrain with steep slopes, water has strong impact force to break down rocks. All these factors have contributed to the formation of an underground Karst cave [2].
Climate
Guizhou is situated in the subtropical humid monsoon climate, which is ideal for Karst landscape formation. The annual mean temperature is about 14.1 degrees Celsius, and the average temperature of the hottest month is around 22.5 degrees Celsius. Furthermore, in Guizhou, the annual precipitation in is 1436 mm; the annual sunshine duration is 1172 hours; and the frost-free season is 327 days [2]. Under these climate conditions, Guizhou has warm winters and cool summers. The relatively constant temperature and humidity make rock dissolution occur throughout the year, and fast rock dissolution allows cave systems to form [2].
Tectonic movements
Influenced by several intense tectonic movements during the Late Triassic, the territory of Guizhou province became land and gradually formed an inland plateau. After that, subsequent upward crust movements led to the constant formation of dispersive underground and surface rivers, which has contributed to constitute three independent multilayer geomorphic units, known as Zhijindong Cave, Qijiehe River and Dongfenghu Lake [3].
Petrology
The presence of water-soluble rocks is a key factor leading to Karst landform formation. Carbonate rocks, a type of water soluble rocks, are the major rock source composed nearly three quarters of exposed land in Guizhou province [1]. An abundant supply of carbonate rocks plays an important role forming Zhijindong Cave and the other two geomorphic units [1].
Topology & Hydrology
Zhijindong cave is located in upstream Wujiang River and southern Liuchong River. It is comprised of many hills, lowlands, and valleys. The nearby surface water is rare, but the deep underground water is sufficient for dissolving rocks. In addition, due to its hilly terrain with steep slopes, water has strong impact force to break down rocks. All these factors have contributed to the formation of an underground Karst cave [2].
Climate
Guizhou is situated in the subtropical humid monsoon climate, which is ideal for Karst landscape formation. The annual mean temperature is about 14.1 degrees Celsius, and the average temperature of the hottest month is around 22.5 degrees Celsius. Furthermore, in Guizhou, the annual precipitation in is 1436 mm; the annual sunshine duration is 1172 hours; and the frost-free season is 327 days [2]. Under these climate conditions, Guizhou has warm winters and cool summers. The relatively constant temperature and humidity make rock dissolution occur throughout the year, and fast rock dissolution allows cave systems to form [2].
3. Famous Scenic Areas
Zhijindong Cave consists of two main caves and four branch caves. Based on different landscapes and traits, it has been divided into four layers, forty-seven chambers, and more than 150 scenic sites [5]. Notable chambers include Guest-Greeting Hall, Moon Palace, Shiwan Mountain, and so forth. Each chamber is famous for its distinctive scenic sites [5]. |
Guest-Greeting Hall
Guest-Greeting Hall is the starting point of a Zhijindong Cave trip. It is 137 meters long, an average of 55 meters high, and an average of 63 meters wide. Due to its location, the sunlight from the entrance allows moss to grow on the wall [5]. Riyue Tonghui is one famous scenic site in Guest-Greeting Hall. The meaning of its name is “shin[ing] forever like the sun and the moon.” It gets this name since it consists of the cave entrance and a small elliptical hole from which natural skylight can go through [5]. Because of Riyue Tonghui, Guest-Greeting Hall is the brightest of all caves [5]. |
Moon Palace
Moon Palace is one of the biggest chambers in Zhijindong Cave. It is 315 meters long, an average of 53 meters high, an average of 55 meters wide, and 30560 meter square large. It consists hundreds of large stalagmites, columns and wall flowstones [5]. A flat terrace is in the middle of two hills, and an underground river flows through it. Moon Place has many notable scenic sites includes Overlord Hamlet, Picturesque Landscape, and Three-class Canopy. Overlord Hamlet is evaluated by many sedimentologists as one of the most precious stalagmites in Zhijindong Cave. They agree that it is “the only helmet-shaped stalagmite with the most vivid shape discovered in world so far [5].” |
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Shiwan Mountain
Shiwan Mountain is well-known for its hilly terrain and peaks. Because of its high humidity, the peaks are always wreathed in mist. One of the most famous sites in Shiwan Mountain is Sibling Jade Tree. It is a deodar-shaped stalagmite, which is considered to be the most gorgeous morphotype in the world by many sedimentologists [5].
Shiwan Mountain is well-known for its hilly terrain and peaks. Because of its high humidity, the peaks are always wreathed in mist. One of the most famous sites in Shiwan Mountain is Sibling Jade Tree. It is a deodar-shaped stalagmite, which is considered to be the most gorgeous morphotype in the world by many sedimentologists [5].
4. Scientific Values
Besides of its beauty, Zhijindong Cave is also remarkable for its scientific values of many aspects including sedimentology, palaeoecology, palaeoclimate, biology and tourism [2].
As a large Karst cave, Zhijindong Cave has a complicated formation process. It contains various secondary speleothems, especially carbonate speleothems [2]. Because of the types, shapes, and sizes of these speleothems, Zhijindong Cave is an excellent model for sedimentology study, tourism development, and carbonate speleothem morphological classification [2].
During its long formation process, Zhijindong Cave also has speleothems which stored abundant palaeoecological and palaeoclimatic information. By analyzing features of these speleothems, the ancient environment and climate could be reconstructed [2]. Moreover, because of its moderately warm temperature and sufficient ground water, Zhijindong Cave used to be an important habitat for cave-living creatures. Many cave deposits, such as remains of tons of feces in porcupine caves, provide great evidence for ancient animal study [2].
Besides of its beauty, Zhijindong Cave is also remarkable for its scientific values of many aspects including sedimentology, palaeoecology, palaeoclimate, biology and tourism [2].
As a large Karst cave, Zhijindong Cave has a complicated formation process. It contains various secondary speleothems, especially carbonate speleothems [2]. Because of the types, shapes, and sizes of these speleothems, Zhijindong Cave is an excellent model for sedimentology study, tourism development, and carbonate speleothem morphological classification [2].
During its long formation process, Zhijindong Cave also has speleothems which stored abundant palaeoecological and palaeoclimatic information. By analyzing features of these speleothems, the ancient environment and climate could be reconstructed [2]. Moreover, because of its moderately warm temperature and sufficient ground water, Zhijindong Cave used to be an important habitat for cave-living creatures. Many cave deposits, such as remains of tons of feces in porcupine caves, provide great evidence for ancient animal study [2].
5. Major Honors
National level [5]
Global level [3][5]
National level [5]
- In 1991, it was selected as one of the 40 tourist attractions of China by National Tourism Administration.
- In 2006, it was approved as national natural heritage of China.
- In 2008, it was approved as National AAAA class tourist attraction.
- In September 2013, it was selected as one of the most beautiful national geopark in China.
Global level [3][5]
- In 1994, it joined ISCA (International Show Cave Association).
- In 2015, it was designated by UNESCO as Global Geopark.
6. Promo Film
The lastest Promo film of Zhijindong Cave produced by China Guizhou Zhijindong Cave Global Geopark [6].
7. Reference
[1] Kuo, T. S., Liu, Z. Q., Li, H. C., Wan, N. J., Shen, C. C., Ku, T. L. (2011, January 19). Climate and environmental changes during the past millennium in central western Guizhou, China as recorded by Stalagmite ZJD-21. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 40(2011), 1111–1120. (in English).
[2] He, W., Li, P. (2016). Evolution feature and scientific values of Zhijin cave. Guizhou Science, 34(2), 31-34. (in Chinese). Retrieved from http://www.doc88.com/p-2367625574105.html
[3] Zhijindong Cave UNESCO Global Geopark (China) (2015). UNESCO World Heritage Centre 2017. (in English). Retrieved from http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/environment/earth-sciences/unesco-global-geoparks/list-of-unesco-global-geoparks/china/zhijindong-cave/
[4] Alpha, T. R., Galloway, J. P., Tinsley III, J. C. Karst Topography - Teacher's Guide and Paper Model. U.S. Geological Survey. (in English). Retrieved from https://geomaps.wr.usgs.gov/parks/cave/karst.html
[5] Guizhou Zhijindong Cave Global Geopark (2015, Match 25). GuiZhou Scenic Spot Administration. (in English). Retrieved from http://www.gzzjd.com/en/
[6] Zhijin cave's latest Promo film (2017, June 30). China Guizhou Zhijindong Cave Global Geopark. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mp-3z7dK08M
[7] Leonard Springs Nature Park: Karst Topography. Pinterest. Retrieved from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/47217496063284763
[8] Cooper A.H., Farrant A.R., Palmer A.N. (2017, January). Karst activity. Geoindicator. (in English). Retrieved from http://www.lgt.lt/geoin/doc.php?did=cl_kars
[1] Kuo, T. S., Liu, Z. Q., Li, H. C., Wan, N. J., Shen, C. C., Ku, T. L. (2011, January 19). Climate and environmental changes during the past millennium in central western Guizhou, China as recorded by Stalagmite ZJD-21. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 40(2011), 1111–1120. (in English).
[2] He, W., Li, P. (2016). Evolution feature and scientific values of Zhijin cave. Guizhou Science, 34(2), 31-34. (in Chinese). Retrieved from http://www.doc88.com/p-2367625574105.html
[3] Zhijindong Cave UNESCO Global Geopark (China) (2015). UNESCO World Heritage Centre 2017. (in English). Retrieved from http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/environment/earth-sciences/unesco-global-geoparks/list-of-unesco-global-geoparks/china/zhijindong-cave/
[4] Alpha, T. R., Galloway, J. P., Tinsley III, J. C. Karst Topography - Teacher's Guide and Paper Model. U.S. Geological Survey. (in English). Retrieved from https://geomaps.wr.usgs.gov/parks/cave/karst.html
[5] Guizhou Zhijindong Cave Global Geopark (2015, Match 25). GuiZhou Scenic Spot Administration. (in English). Retrieved from http://www.gzzjd.com/en/
[6] Zhijin cave's latest Promo film (2017, June 30). China Guizhou Zhijindong Cave Global Geopark. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mp-3z7dK08M
[7] Leonard Springs Nature Park: Karst Topography. Pinterest. Retrieved from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/47217496063284763
[8] Cooper A.H., Farrant A.R., Palmer A.N. (2017, January). Karst activity. Geoindicator. (in English). Retrieved from http://www.lgt.lt/geoin/doc.php?did=cl_kars