New Perspectives of the Features, Formation, and Evolution of the Special Danxia Landscape in Chenzhou, Hunan

doi:10.19657/j.geoscience.1000-8527.2023.118

Abstract

Abstract:

The Feitianshan-Gaoyiling area in Chenzhou (Hunan Province) is a prominent attraction in South China, known for its distinctive Danxia landform. Unlike typical Danxia landscapes, this area features distinct dome mounds. However, despite its social popularity and scientific value of its unique geomorphology, detailed studies on its geomorphological features, internal genetic mechanism, and evolution have long been overlooked. Through field investigations, we discovered that the Danxia landform in the Feitianshan-Gaoyiling area has seven geomorphological subtypes, including stone village, rock mound, Chibi, stone column, stone wall, cave, and linear trench. Notably, the eastern and western sides of the study area display distinct differences in the Danxia landscape. The eastern side is dominated by dome mounds and stone villages, where the structural strata comprise of eolian desert-facies sandstone, characterized by significant eolian sedimentary structures such as giant staggered bedding, small-scale granular flow layers, and corrugated layers. Meanwhile, the western side of the area features a “top slope, steep slope, foot gentle” peak forest-type Danxia landscape, primarily composed of alluvial fan massive conglomerates. The variations in lithofacies types between the eastern and western sides are the main factors contributing to the diverse geomorphological forms, developed through multistage tectonic transformation, water erosion, weathering, and collapse in the Himalayan period. Using the analysis of the area elevation integral model (HI), we determined that the local Danxia landform is in the early residual hill stage of old age. Accordingly, we propose a three-stage landscape model of “sedimentation pregnant landscape-tectonic uplift landscaping-surface force carving landscape”, to analyze the Danxia landform origin and enhance the brand connotation of Danxia scenic landforms. We aim to better understanding in the distinctive landscape of rock-like Danxia in the humid South China climatic region, and to provide scientific guidance and reference for the development and utilization of Cretaceous Danxia landform geological heritage in South China.

Key words: eolian desert facies, Danxia landscape, Feitianshan-Gaoyiling scenic area, landscape evolution, Chenzhou, Hunan Province

CLC Number:

HUANG Leqing, WU Chihua, ZHOU Liyun, JIN Ni, PENG Shiliang, HU Nengyong, YANG Changming, CHEN Jie. New Perspectives of the Features, Formation, and Evolution of the Special Danxia Landscape in Chenzhou, Hunan[J]. Geoscience, 2023, 37(06): 1680-1694.

Figures/Tables 8

Fig.1 Map showing the distribution of Cretaceous Basin and Danxia landform in Hunan Province (a) and geological map of Cretaceous red bed and its periphery in Chayong Basin (b)

Fig.2 Photos showing typical Danxia landform landscape of the Feitianshan-Gaoyiling area, Chenzhou

Fig.3 Photo showing the characteristic aeolian sand deposition structures in Chayong Basin, Hunan

Fig.4 Plane-/crossed-polar photos (crossed polariter) (a) (b) and scanning electron microscope images (c) (d) of sandstone samples from the typical Danxia landform in the Feitianshan-Gaoyiling area, Chenzhou

Fig.5 Satellite images showing the interpreted control of fault structures on the development of Danxia landform in Feitian-shan-Gaoyiling area, Chenzhou

Fig.6 Photos of structural cutting and water erosion in typical Danxia landform of Feitianshan-Gaoyiling area, Chenzhou

Fig.7 Division of evolution stages of Danxia landform in the Feitianshan-Gaoyiling Danxia scenic spot, Chenzhou

Fig.8 Danxia landform evolution model profile of the Feitianshan-Gaoyiling area, Chayong basin

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