湘西地质公园位于中国湖南省湘西土家族苗族自治州，面积2710平方千米。公园地处云贵岩溶高原东部边缘斜坡地带，以全球寒武系标准层型剖面——古丈阶与排碧阶“金钉子”，世界上规模最大的红色碳酸盐岩石林和蔚为壮观的高原切割型台地-峡谷群等地质遗迹为主要特色，兼有典型的地质构造事件、古冰川气候事件与古生物遗迹等诸多典型地质现象，完整记录了扬子地台演化历史以及云贵高原边缘切割-破碎-解体过程。园区古朴的少数民族文化与台地-峡谷、自然生态完美结合，构成自然、优美、和谐的人居环境，共同造就了神秘独特的武陵山区民族生态文化圈。
Celebrating Earth Heritage
Geological features and geology of international significance Xiangxi Geopark, which lies in the southeastern fringe areas of Yangtze Platform in China and just next to South China Landmass, records the evolutionary history of the 820 million-year-old Yangtze Platform. It is a foreland basin that has been developed on the basis of the Middle and Upper Yangtze Craton, and has undergone multiple stages of tectonic evolution. Its tectonic evolution and pattern were subject to the control of the extensional cracking of the Pan-South China Paleo-continent, as well as the intra-continental collision and compression of the North China Plate, and the Cathaysian Plate. The strata in the Late Jurassic, Mesozoic era were also affected by the subduction of the Pacific Plate, forming a series of curved and deep, large faults (e.g., the Fault Zone of Hubei-Hunan-Guizhou Lithosphere, Mayang-Lixian Deep Fault Zone), as well as strongly uplifted, folded mountain ranges (i.e., Sangzhi composite syncline, Wanyan-Siduping composite anticline). The geopark is home to 82 types of rocks, which are dominated by sedimentary rocks. Among them, the outcrop areas of carbonate rock, clastic rock and metamorphic rock are about 2,528.28 km2, 416.92 km2 and 34.8 km2, accounting for 83.3%, 15.5% and 1.2% of the total geopark area, respectively. These rocks provide foundation for the landscapes of the geopark. The geopark is rich in geosites which feature various types and distinct characteristics. The geological relics with international significance in the geopark mainly include: Guzhangian Stage and Paibian Stage of GSSPs in the Cambrian system, the world’s largest red stone forests of carbonate rocks, and the spectacular, plateau incision-type karst platform-canyon landscapes. By combining some typical geological phenomena, such as paleogeological tectonic events, paleoglacial climatic events and paleontological relics, the geopark completely records the history of geological evolution of Yangtze Platform, as well as the incision and fragmentation of the fringe area of Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. Therefore, the geopark has significant values in scientific research, science education and aesthetics, playing a crucial role in conducting global comparative studies.
Sustaining local Communities
Xiangxi Geopark is located at the hinterland of Wuling Mountains in Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan Province, China (N28°06′49.23′′—29°17′24.26′′, E109°20′13.66′′—110°04′12.55′′). Covering an area of 2,710 km2, it is 398 km away from Changsha, the capital city of Hunan Province. The Geopark lies in the slope area, eastern fringe of Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, southwest China, belonging to the eastern edge of the second step in China’s terrain. It features undulating terrain and intense incision. The main mountain ranges run from NNE to SSW or from NE to SW, which is consistent with the strike of the tectonic line. In general, its terrain gradually descends from northwest to southeast, with its altitude ranging from 150m to 1,437m, and with an average altitude of 643m. Topography is obviously subject to the control of tectonics and lithology, and its geomorphic features vary with its tectonics and lithology. While karst platforms-gorges-stone forests, or landforms created as a result of corrosion, are mainly developed in the areas where 2 carbonate rocks occur, the landforms caused by erosion are mainly found in some areas where clastic rocks are distributed. The geopark is characterized by northern subtropical monsoon climate, and an obvious continental climate. In terms of water system, it belongs to the tributaries of Yuanjiang, Yangtze River Basin: Youshui and Wushui river basin. Its flora belongs to Pan-Arctic kingdom and is rich in biodiversity. The area where Xiangxi Geopark is located has a total population of 296,000, among whom 81% are ethnic minority people. It is mainly inhabited by Tujia and Miao ethnic minorities. The local residents are mainly engaged in agriculture, livestock raising and tourism service industries. It is surrounded by many natural and made-made landscapes, and known as one of the birthplaces of Wuling Culture.
