Rock mechanical characteristics and landscape evolutionary mechanism of the slit-type Danxia landform on the Chinese Loess Plateau

Since 2015,the newly discovered slit-type Danxia landform on the Chinese Loess Plateau has become a hot topic in the field of geomorphology worldwide.However,the relationships among its formation,evolutionary mechanism,and mechanical characteristics of its strata and rocks are not clear.In this paper,the Ganquan canyon group is used as the research object.Basic physical and mechanical indices of sandstone in the Ganquan canyon group were measured through field investigation and indoor experiments,and the deterioration trends for the mechanical parameters of sandstone in this area under the action of infiltration,acid dry-wet cycles,and freeze-thaw cycles were revealed.Lastly,the formation and evolutionary mechanism of the slit-type Danxia landform were discussed.The results showed that:(1)The sandstone in the canyon group had a low cementation degree and weak cohesive force,which was easily weakened under the action of water,resulting in a decrease in compressive strength and elastic modulus.(2)Acidic dry-wet cycles caused the mineral composition of the sandstone to be dissolved,and the micropores continued to grow and develop until new cracks were produced.Macroscopically,the compressive strength and elastic modulus of sandstone were greatly reduced,and this damage was cumulative and staged.The greater the acidity,the greater the damage.(3)As the number of freeze-thaw cycles increased,the uniaxial compressive strength and elastic modulus of the sandstone decreased continuously.During the freeze-thaw cycle process,the growth and development of cracks were primarily in fracture mode and usually developed along parallel bedding positions.(4)The interaction of tectonic activity and lithology with different weathering processes was a key factor in the formation and evolution of the slit-type Danxia landform.In conclusion,the intricate process of weathering influenced by historical climatic fluctuations has been pivotal in shaping the topography of Danxia landform.

Lithological and environmental controls on large tafoni along conglomerate cliffs in subtropic humid Danxiashan UNESCO Global Geopark

Tafoni are a type of cavernous weathering features widespread in different climate zones around the world,but their origin has not been fully understood.Little attention was paid on tafoni in conglomerates.Danxiashan UNESCO Global Geopark,located within the subtropic humid region of South China,has a landscape of large tafoni that occur on cliffs of red conglomerates.Both the Dinosaur Rock and Pagoda Peak of the geopark were selected to investigate the formation mechanisms of tafoni in conglomerates.During the field investigation,the size,rock hardness,and the external and internal meteorology of tafoni were measured and tested.The texture and composition of rock samples were observed,and the ion chromatography experiments were performed as well.Results show that tafoni have well ellipsoidal openings.Clasts of the conglomerates are largely sub-rounded and poorly sorted,and the cement is dominantly composed of calcite and iron oxide.The hardness of the lips is almost equal to that of the columns,and both are slightly higher than the backwalls.Compared with the external intense environmental changes,the interior of the tafoni is characterized by smaller temperature and relative humidity ranges and windless condition.Therefore,the porous and permeable conglomerates provide favorable lithology for tafoni development,and the micro-environment within the caverns is conducive to improving water utilization efficiency and enhancing salt weathering.The salts mainly consist of sulfates and nitrates,which might be derived from frequent raining,water evaporation and red beds as well.Consequently,tafoni are the result of the synergistic effects by multiple factors,rather than a single mechanism.

Application of Ecological Footprint in "Danxia" Tourism——A Case Study of Simeng "Danxia" of Xupu County in Hunan Province of China

Based on the theory and methods of tourism ecological footprint, from the perspective of the general geomorphology of "Danxia", seven sub-models of tourism ecological footprint had been established which were tourism ecological carrying capacity, transport, water, waste, visiting, entertainment and food. By taking "Danxia" in Hunan Province for example, tourism ecological footprint had been calculated and analyzed. Through researches on ecological profit and loss and nontransferable ecological footprint, the fact that eco-tourism development scale was reasonable or not had been judged. The results showed that ecological deficit was 669.05 hm2 and nontransferable ecological footprint was 1,357.88 hm2. Finally, the paper had proposed countermeasures for eco-tourism sustainable development in "Danxia", hoping to provide reference for the sustainable development of regional tourist ecological economy.

Origin of Tafoni in the Late Cretaceous Aeolian Sandstones,Danxiashan UNESCO Global Geopark,South China

Tafoni occur generally in granular rocks around the world, but their origin remains controversial. In this study,the roles of lithology, micro–climate, and organism in tafoni development are investigated in the Danxiashan UNESCO Global Geopark of South China. The Jinshiyan Temple and Luyitang sites along the Jinjiang River are chosen to conduct tafoni morphometry, bedrock petrography, and micro–climate analyses. The research methods used in this study include field observations and measurements, Voronoi diagrams, polarizing microscopic and scanning electron microscopic(SEM)image analysis, and meteorological detection. The tafoni are mostly 2–10 cm in length and elliptical in shape. The Late Cretaceous Jinshiyan sandstones are characterized by a grain–to–grain contact fabric and moderate sorting with a high proportion of soluble grains and cements. The Voronoi diagrams developed through the Arc GIS software are largely consistent with the tafoni openings. Moreover, owing to exposure to solar insolation, the external temperature values are higher than the internal ones, while the external relative humidity values are lower than the internal ones. Therefore, the permeable Jinshiyan sandstones are fundamental for tafoni development, while the abundant moisture from the Jinjiang River and frequent rains is favorable for salt weathering in tandem with biological activities. At last, a five–stage development model is proposed for the tafoni progression in the study area.

Upper Cretaceous alluvial fan deposits in the Jianglangshan Geopark of Southeast China:implications for bedrock control on Danxia landform evolution

The Jianglangshan Geopark in the western Zhejiang Province of Southeast China is well-known for its spectacular red-colored sandstone landforms. Little is known about the depositional processes of the conglomerate-dominated Fangyan Formation, the lithologic base of the Danxia landforms in this geopark. Based on detailed field investigation of lithology, sedimentary structures, bed thickness and geometry, five facies are recognized: facies A(matrixsupported cobble conglomerate), facies B(pebble conglomerate), facies C(pebbly sandstone), facies D(fine-grained sandstone) and facies E(mudstone). The results show that streamflow-dominated fans were the main depositional processes responsible for the accumulation of the Fangyan Formation along the mountain fronts. These fan conglomerates form the base for the evolution of the Danxia landscapes owing to the uplift and erosion of the study area. In contrast, the fine-grained sedimentary successions produced by fluvial floodplains in the distal part of the fans were thinner and more easily weathered. Such sedimentary facies distribution patterns were thought to be similar during Late Cretaceous across Southeast China. The Danxia landforms are largely the geographical expressions of the conglomerate-dominated redbeds in the proximal-middle fans.

Age and genesis of the Danxia landform on Jianglang Mountain, Zhejiang Province

Jianglang Mountain is situated at the transitional zone of South China fold-system, Jiangshan-Shaoxing deep fracture zone and Baoan-Xiakou-Zhangcun fracture zone. The forming of the Xiakou basin was attributed to the pull-apart fault depression by the above fractures in earlier Cretaceous, afterward, series deposits such as Guantou formation （K1g）, Chaochuan formation （K1c） and Fangyan formation （K1f） which belong to Yongkang group, the lower Cretaceous layer accumulated in the Xiakou basin. In late Cretaceous, the above fractures occurred to extrude and the basin began to uplift, meanwhile, amounts of tension fissures and joints were produced since Cenozoic, which accelerated water-dicing into bed-rock. Consequently, landform-building processing： weathering, eroding and collapsing etc. were prevalent as finally to develop the so-called Danxia landform. The Jianglang Mountain landscape zone of the Danxia landform to apply for world natural relics are relying on unique and unparalleled peak, sky-split valley with vivid stones and reviving of platform. What is more, there is significance of study at lithology, stratigraphy and paleo-biology. According to dating for specimen of ophitic vein through-crossing the Yongkang group of Yafeng Peak by K-Ar method, this article revealed the uplift age of red-bed basin to be 77.89±2.6 MaBP （K2） i.e. late Cretaceous, and it is the first chronological datum of Danxia landform research in China.

Origin of beaded tafoni in cliffs of Danxia landscapes,Longhushan Global Geopark, South China

The tafoni that develop in sandstone cliffs have attracted the interest of both scientists and the general public. A necklace-like tafone system, referred to here as beaded tafoni, has developed in the prominent cliffs of the Danxia landscapes within the Longhushan Global Geopark in the subtropical zone of South China. This paper presents a new model of the formation of this system of extraordinary beaded tafoni. The cliffs of the Danxia landscapes of the study area are composed of an alluvial conglomerate(i.e.,red beds). These Danxia landscapes have subrounded summits that are covered by vegetation and experience a nearly vertical water flow induced by gravity. Erosion and collapse of the outsized gravels and concentrated pebbles in the red beds give rise to the initial development of the beaded tafoni. The tafoni then become rounded and beaded as a result of reworking and decay by fluvial outwash. During storms, intense water flows run vertically down the cliffs and generate a whirling motion in the tafoni.Consequently, the inside walls of the tafoni gradually become wider and smoother. During the late development stage, the beaded tafoni tend to become indistinct or disappear because of the interconnection of the tafoni and subsequent merging with the bedding-controlled cavities.

Comparative studies of Danxia landforms in China

Danxia geomorphology originates fi＇om China. This paper studies the spatial distribution and differences in characteristics of Danxia landforms. Based on relevant research and investigations, three congregated areas of Danxia landform in China are discussed in this paper. They are the southeast area （including Jiangxi, Fujian, Zhejiang, Hunan and Guangxi provinces）, the southwest area （the transitional zone of Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and Sichuan Basin） and the northwest area （including Longshan mountain and along the banks of the Huanghe River and its anabranches）. Not only the conditions of geology and geography of the three areas but also the differences of Danxia landforms of the three areas are analyzed. The Danxia landscape, characterized by upright-shaped peaks, Danxia mesa, stone wall, cave and vertical cave, ＂Danxia natural bridge＂, ＂a narrow strip of sky＂ and so on, often presents in the southeast area. The landscape of southwest area is characterized by Danxia escarpment faces and waterfalls. In the northwest area, the Danxia landscape has the traits of arid areas simultaneously, for example, mud-coating type, columniation type, board type, moreover, it is greatly different between these environmental factors such as the microclimate, water, wind, and the loess cover. Finally it explores the causes which lead differences in landform and also explains the landform formation process and its mechanism with reference to the rates of crustal uplift, the tectonic red-basin, and the external processes including working of running water, weathering, biogenic, gravity in each area of Danxia Landforms in China.

Types and spatial combinations of Danxia landform of Fangyan in Zhejiang Province

The prominent types of Danxia landform in Fangyan include enclosed valleys, mesas, peaks, stone columns and grooves etc. Their spatial combinations have regular configurations along the northwest–southeast direction: typical grooves and caves are located in the northwestern Wufengshuyuan mainly; abundant fresh collapsed stones may be observed in central Jimingfeng and Taohuafeng; stone drums and stone columns are in the southeastern Shiguliao particularly; enclosed valleys are encircling joints of peaks and plains from three directions east, west, and south. Their spatial combinations reflect that the developments of Danxia landform have undergone stages of geomorphic cyclical erosion in the form of weathering, collapse, transportation, sedimentation and other processes, together with the "sculpture" of external forces mainly as tectonic uplift. The picturesque Danxia landform began its formation at that point. Danxia landform developed mainly in the strata of Fangyan Formation (K1f) caused by the alluvial fan-braided river phase of anterior fan in the late period of the Early Cretaceous. Regular patterns of weathering of stones and features of braided alluvial phase sediments may be verified by the analysis of three groups of experimental data. Danxia landform of Fangyan is a unique representative of the "adolescent" development type in the application of the World Natural Heritages status in China, by virtue of its outstanding universal aesthetic and scientific value.

Danxia landform genesis of the Qiyun Mountain, Anhui Province

The Danxia landform of Qiyun Mountain is mainly developed on the red granule conglomerates named Xiaoyan Group （K2x^1） of middle Cretaceous series, which is controlled mainly by three faulted zones, namely, Jingdezhen-Qimen faulted zone, Jiangwan-Jiekou compressional faulted zone and Kaihua-Chun＇an folding faulted zone. During the Cretaceous period, this area firstly experienced massif subsidence to become a continental faulted basin, then having thick Cretaceous red sediments accumulated on it. In the supervened neotectonism, this area experienced an uplifting process, which made the thick Cretaceous sediments into a mountain with an altitude of 500-600 m. After undergoing the processes of vertical joint development, weathering, denudation and transportation, as well as evidently differential weathering and denudation influenced by lithology and structure between sandstone and conglomerate, the grand Danxia landscape consisting of peak forests, steep cliffs, caves, mesas, castellated peaks, natural bridges and so on formed. The three nick points located respectively at 585 m, 400 m and 150 m generally reflect the three dominated uplifting processes during the neotectonism.

Species Diversity of Rock Plant Community in Danxia Landform of Zhejiang Province

In order to provide scientific basis for vegetation and biodiversity conservation,species diversity of rock plant in Danxia landform of Zhejiang Province was analyzed in this study.According to the results,there were 195 species belonging to 143 genera and 82 families.The changing trend in Margalef index,Simpson index and Shannon-Wiener index of the same community in different layers was the same,namely herb layer>shrub layer>moss layer>liana layer;the order of Pielou index was moss layer>liana layer>herb layer>shrub layer.Comparing species diversity in different regions,we found that the index of all layers on Jianglang Mountain was higher except the moss layer.

Research on the Genesis and Development of Danxia Landform in the South Sichuan

The South Sichuan is one of the areas in China famous for Danxia Landform. Danxia Landform in the South Sichuan is characterized by wide distribution and square shaped hills. However, there is no systematic research on the genesis of those Danxia Landforms at present. Based on the study of spatial distribution and the genesis of the Danxia Landforms in the South Sichuan, we discovered that the lithostratigraphy, regional tectonic, crustal uplift and external forces contribute together to the formation of the Danxia Landform. On the basis of learning the development experiences from famous scenic spots and the updated national policies and regulations, proposals were made to boost the development of Danxia Landform resources in the South Sichuan by excavating its historic, cultural, natural and scientific connotation in the form of educational tourism.

The Poverty Alleviation Model for Poor Nationalities in the Mountainous Areas of Western China: A Case Study of “Promotion for the Entire Lisu Nationality” in Naimu Danxia Village Group

In poor minority areas, poor living conditions, single industrial structure and weak public basic services often lead to a deep degree of poverty. This is the most difficult problem to solve in the fight against poverty. Yunlong Township, Luquan Yi and Miao Autonomous County, which is located in the alpine canyon area of Jinsha River in China, is a semi-closed agricultural township integrating "nationality, mountain area, poverty and backwardness". Located in the Xinshan Village Committee of this township, Naimu Danxia village group is a typical Lisu settlement. It is a key village group with a deep degree of poverty, and the incidence of poverty is 17.00%. In recent years, Naimu Danxia village group has adhered to the direction of unified promotion, internal and external blood creation and resource integration in the poverty alleviation work of the Lisu nationality in Luquan County. It has successfully taken a road of national unity, self-reliance and common poverty alleviation, and formed a unique poverty alleviation model of "promotion for the entire nationality". At the end of 2018, the incidence of poverty dropped to 0, successfully building a "demonstration village of national unity" at the municipal level in Kunming. Based on the field research and interviews, this paper analyzes and summarizes the specific methods, main achievements, practical experience and popularization and application measures regarding the poverty alleviation model of "promotion for the entire Lisu nationality" in the village group. It tries to provide necessary reference for accurate poverty alleviation and poverty eradication in similar minority areas in Yunnan Province and other provinces.

Danxia Landforms: Rosy Clouds on Earth

A Danxia landform is a red-bed landform characterized by steep cliffs. It was initially discovered and named by Chinese scholars. Although there are red-bed landforms in many parts of the world, China, with a special fondness for the color red, boasts the most widely distributed Danxia possessing unique characteristics. This is a mesmerizing natural formation and a special gift that nature has bestowed upon this country.

青海同德石藏丹霞地貌类型特征及成因演化分析

青海同德石藏地区发育黄河流域最上游连片分布面积最大、形态特征典型的丹霞地貌景观。基于实地调查和综合分析,按单体地貌形态对石藏丹霞地貌进行分类,包括7种丹霞正地貌和5种丹霞负地貌,类型多样、景观独特。石藏丹霞地貌的成景地层为古近纪西宁组紫红色巨厚层状砂砾岩,受地质构造、物理化学风化、机械侵蚀和重力等内外营力作用塑造形成,并经历了红层堆积、红层盆地构造抬升、丹霞地貌发育幼年期和青年期4个形成演化阶段。从地质学角度揭示出丹霞地貌的成因演化过程,对进一步认识中国西部地区丹霞地貌发育以及普及地球科学知识,保护和利用地学旅游资源具有理论和实际意义。

Experimental studies on the Danxia landscape morphogenesis in Mt. Danxiashan, South China

The formation of Danxia landscapes is too slow to be observed in our life time and the paleoclimates in which Danxia landscapes developed are significantly different from the present. Thus, this study adopted experimental approaches to examine the lithological and paleoclimatic control on the formation of various landscape morphologies in the Mt. Danxiashan, South China. A total of 122 rock samples were collected from a range of Danxia landscape morphologies such as white spots, small and large through caves, honeycomb caves, horizontal grooves, natural bridges, stone pillars, and squama stones. Analyses of the collected samples were conducted in different kinds of experiments, including uniaxial mechanical strength testing; rock resistance against sulfuric acid erosion, freezing, and thawing; X-ray fluorescence spectrometry（XRF） analysis; inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry（ICP-MS） analysis; and identification analysis under a polarizing microscope. The results indicated that the formation of the various Danxia landscape morphologies could result from one or more of the following processes： differential erosion due to lithological difference, chemical dissolution and recrystallization, freezing and thawing actions, acid corrosion, weathering, lateral erosion of river flows, and tectonic uplifts. Water erosion in humid monsoon climate and the alternations of intensive freezing and thawing actions in the Quaternary glacial stages and the interglacial stages could have had great influences on the formation of Danxia landscape topographies.

Danxia geomorphology of China: A review

Danxia Landform belongs to red terrestrial clastic rock landform, which is characterized by its red cliffed scarp. The development of Danxia Landform research in China experienced three historic stages, i.e. initial establishment, taking shape and expanding since the concept 'Danxia Landform' raised by Prof. Chen Guoda in 1939. As a new branch of geomorphology, Danxia geomorphology research is now stepping its ripe stage. In the 1990s, the search enters into an unprecedented grand occasion at the prompting of tourism exploit.

江西丹霞地貌演化阶段与分布及其构造控制探讨

晚白垩世至古近纪期间,江西省内沿区域性断裂构造发育30余个断陷盆地,沉积了巨厚的红色陆相碎屑岩,为丹霞地貌的形成提供了物质基础。已发现的228处丹霞地貌点主要分布于江西东部武夷山北麓和西麓的红层盆地内。利用面积—高程积分法,对江西省9个盆地的丹霞地貌演化阶段进行了定量分析,结果表明省内丹霞地貌景区的面积—高程HI为0.17~0.52,平均为0.38,即其演化阶段处于壮年晚期至老年早期,在空间分布上具有由南向北,由壮年期转为老年期的趋势。该趋势可能与武夷山的构造隆升有关。构造分析显示,节理与武夷山的隆升对江西丹霞地貌演化起控制作用,具体表现为:(1)龙虎山、九仙湖、仙岩、蛤蟆坞、赭亭山、龟峰等地发育的崖壁、一线天、巷谷、石墙、石寨、峰丛、峰林等丹霞典型景观均与节理有关。(2)流水侵蚀等外营力的作用对丹霞地貌的剥露、削平起重要作用,统计表明距离武夷山越近,丹霞地貌山峰越密集、崖壁越陡峻,指示武夷山的隆升与丹霞地貌的发育有直接关系。总体来看,江西省内的红层为丹霞地貌的发育提供了物质基础,武夷山的隆升控制了丹霞地貌的分布。值得注意的是,丹霞地貌区的节理构造是否与武夷山的隆升存在直接因果关系还需进一步研究。

广东韶关丹霞山生态系统多样性及其空间定位

丹霞山复杂地形地貌塑造了很高的生态系统多样性和复杂的景观多样性,全面的系统分类、空间定位和生态系统类型描述对该区域的生态特征研究具有重要意义。本研究基于IUCN全球生态系统分类框架,结合植被类型和特殊地形地貌特征,对韶关丹霞山国家级自然保护区全境的生态系统类型进行研究,并利用遥感数据与实地调查数据,对各级生态系统进行空间定位和可视化制图。结果显示:(1)该保护区生态系统类型可划分为81类,包括3个I级类型、6个Ⅱ级类型、12个Ⅲ级类型、28个Ⅳ级类型和81个Ⅴ级类型;(2)除空间定位与格局分析外,特别对丹霞山的4个大类的特色生态系统进行了单独的空间展示,包括用面来展示的山顶生态系统23类和沟谷生态系统13类,用点来代表的洞穴生态系统4类,用线来代表崖壁生态系统4类。本研究关于生态系统类型的划分及空间定位,揭示了丹霞山地区的独特地形地貌特征和生态系统多样性特征,深化了丹霞山生态系统多样性和形成机制的理解,结果可为开展生态系统保护和管理提供重要的参考。