湘西地质公园岩溶峡谷群成因及其地学意义

Causes of formation and geo-scientific significance of karst gorge group in Xiangxi geopark

湘西地质公园岩溶峡谷分布面积约1162km^2,岩溶峡谷200多条,密如蜘网分布,是世界上最密集的岩溶峡谷群分布区。湘西岩溶峡谷形态上分为线型峡谷、“V”字型峡谷和箱型峡谷,其间分布岩溶台地和峰丛山地,岩溶峡谷两侧岩溶洞穴、瀑布和石柱发育,景观奇特壮观。相间分布的硅质碳酸盐岩和泥质碳酸盐岩、密集分布的地质构造及高角度节理裂隙、地块掀斜式抬升和强的岩溶水动力为岩溶峡谷群的发育提供了有利条件。岩溶峡谷群的形成经历了地质构造抬升、河流峡谷形成、岩溶峡谷发育三个阶段。与世界其他岩溶区峡谷对比,湘西岩溶峡谷群是世界地质公园中分布规模最大、峡谷最密集、岩溶发育最典型的岩溶峡谷区。湘西岩溶峡谷群不但具有重要的岩溶学研究和地质历史价值,而且具有重要的地质景观和地质文化意义。

Xiangxi geopark has the most densely distributed area of karst gorges in the world with more than 200 karst gorges in an area of about 1,162 km^2,which distribute like a spider network.The karst gorges appear in a manner of linear,V-shaped and U-shaped distributions,with a lot of caves,waterfalls and stone pillars along the rock cliffs.Between gorges there are karst table landform and peak cluster mountain,showing a peculiar and spectacular landscape.The alternating extension of silicate carbonate rock and mud carbonate rock,dense tectonic features,high degree joints,inclined uplift earth blocks and strong karst hydrodynamics together provide a favorable condition for the development of karst gorge groups.The formation of the karst gorge group can be divided into three stages: geological tectonic uplift,river gorge formation and karst gorge development.Based on the correlation with other gorges of karst areas in the world,the karst gorge group in Xiangxi is the most typical karst with the largest distribution scale,the densest gorges and the most karst development in the world.Meanwhile,the karst gorge group in Xiangxi has not only important research and geological historic value,but also great significance of geological landscape and mankind cultures.