UNESCO describes the area as having caves and the longest natural bridge in the world. It is in China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
On its website, UNESCO says, “The UNESCO Global Geopark is primarily sedimentary with more than 60 percent of 3000m thick Devonian to Permian carbonate rocks.”
rocks.”
“It forms an ‘S’-shaped structure and a rhombus configuration in the karst areas of Leye and Fengshan counties respectively, which controlled two large subterranean rivers’ development, the Bailang and Poyue.”
“In addition, between these two subterranean rivers the Buliuhe River was formed. Around these rivers, it formed numerous karst geosites including high karst peak clusters (fengcong), poljes, karst springs, karst windows (tiankengs), natural bridges, extensive caves, massive cave chambers and speleothems.”
“It also features fault zones, minor folds, giant panda fossils, a Neogene stratigraphic section and other fossils.
Karst is a type of land where the soil can break down, causing sinkholes from erosion from above or below the surface.
In May 2022, scientists found a new sinkhole in the park. It is more than 1,000 feet long, 490 feet wide, and almost 630 feet deep.
Many old trees and plants live in this sinkhole. Some of them may be types that haven’t been found before
In other parts of the world you walk out on the karst and you really don’t notice anything. Sinkholes might be quite subdued, only a meter or two in diameter.”
“Cave entrances might be very small, so you have to squeeze your way into them.”
