Geodiversity and Geological Uniqueness of Wugongshan UNESCO Global Geopark, China
摘要
In March 2024, Wugongshan in Jiangxi Province, China, officially joined the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network. Wugongshan Geopark is renowned for its rich geological heritage, particularly its massive and well-preserved Mesozoic granite dome. The geological evolution of this granite dome has controlled the formation and vertical distribution of various types of landscapes within the geopark. The diverse sites of geological interest and landscapes, along with the granite dome, collectively constitute a unique whole, a characteristic that is rare among global geoparks. Therefore, the geological heritage of Wugongshan Geopark holds significant research value and international significance. In this paper, we provide a detailed introduction to the diversity of geological, geomorphological, and hydrological characteristics and processes of Wugongshan Geopark, analyzing the kinematic polarity of granite dome from a structural deformation perspective and comparing the evolution of granite domes with similar features in other global geoparks. Our findings reveal that the abundant geological and geomorphological resources of Wugongshan Geopark not only serve as a natural laboratory for scientific research but also lay a solid foundation for promoting popularization of geosciences.