Geodiversity and its Geological Significance of Mt. Tianzhushan UNESCO Global Geopark
摘要
Mt. Tianzhushan UNESCO Geopark, located in Anhui Province, China, is a large-scale scientific theme park that integrates scientific research, education, sightseeing, and leisure. It has a great variety of geoheritage. This study involves a detailed investigation and classification of over 300 geological relic sites within the park, falling into seven categories, twelve types and fifteen subtypes. The geoheritage demonstrates rich geological diversity and distinctive features. The diverse geoheritage indicates important geological significance in the fields of tectonic geomorphology, paleontology and petrology. Among them, Dabieshan ultra-high pressure(as UHP henceafter) metamorphic belt in the Late Triassic, granite landforms in the Early Cretaceous and vertebrate fossils in Qianshan Basin in the Paleocene are world-class geological relics. They have global comparative value by providing scientific evidence for major geological events such as plate collision and deep subduction mechanisms, granite landform genesis, and mammalian origins. This study will provide a scientific basis for the popularization of geodiversity knowledge alongside assistance for the development, utilization and protection of the geoheritage in the geopark.