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Geoheritage Value

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Geoheritage Value

Taishan Rock Group and Komatiite

Taishan Group is one of China's oldest strata and an important component of the craton. From bottom to top, it is divided into Yanlingguan Formation, Shancaoyu Formation and Liuhang Formation. The group is an integral part of the west Shandong granite-greenstone belt. Within the basic volcanic rock (Yanlingguan Formation) is the only recognized komatiite with spinifex structure in China today. The greenstone belt in the geopark is one of the most representative Archaean greenstone belts in the north China platform and the world. It is extremely important to exploratory research of the formation and early evolution of Archaean crust worldwide.

Intrusive Rocks of Various Stages

Early Precambrian strata in Yimengshan Geopark is mainly granitic intrusive rock. The geopark is one of the few classic regions in China with extensive distribution of typical gneiss, two TTG suites and potash granite arising from strong magmatic activities during the Early, Middle and Late Neoarchean. Tonalitic gneiss and banded tonalitic gneiss (Taishan Series) created by magmatic activities during the Early Neoarchean (circa 2,700Ma); gneissic trondhjemite and granodiorite (Xinfushan Series) created by magmatic activities during the Middle Neoarchean (2,650-2,600Ma); and Late Neoarchean magma (2,560-2,500Ma), intruded from mantle to crust. There was large-scale anatectic melting of potash granite, which gave rise to the intermediate-basic-intermediate-acidic intrusive rock (Yishan Series and Aolaishan Series). These rock masses from various times formed the early crust. Good geological bodies dating from the Late Archaean and "transformation period", as described by International Commission on Stratigraphy, are preserved in the region. They have great scientific significance to studies on various stages of Archaean intrusive rocks and intrusion relationships, exploratory research on the mass formation of Archaean granite, investigation into craton formation and early stage crust evolution, and the construction of a global geological framework for Precambrian tectonics.

Kimberlite-type Primary Diamond Ore Deposits

The deposit in the geopark is the earliest primary diamond mine discovered in China, comprising pipes as well as veins and bedrock. It marks the end of China's history as a country with no primary diamond ore. It ranks first in Asia both in diamond reserve and the scale of outdoor mining operation. Recoverable diamond deposits within the geopark total 7,850,000 carats. Mengshan No. 1, the diamond monomer it produced, is the biggest primary diamond in China. Several decades of diamond mining has created and preserved many important mining remains. They have material influence and momentous significance to the diamond industry both in China and the world.

Daigu Landforms

Daigu is an important landform category that enjoys equal fame with Danxia, Karst and Yardang landforms. Yimengshan Geopark is the origin of the term "Daigu". Gu is a mountain form unique to central and southern Shandong. It is a type of mensa structure. Yimengshan has Gu clusters with typical features. They are numerous, concentrated in distribution and attractive in appearance. Representing specific geological setting and formation process, it is the most iconic region of Gu landforms. Daigu landforms have enriched the geopark's geomorphic abundance. They are important for geoscientific research and commands great value for appreciating natural ecology and scenic beauty.

Granite Landforms

Joints and faults of different scale occur within the rock masses of Yimengshan Geopark. They have cut these whole masses into rock blocks of diverse forms and sizes. Extended weathering and erosion over long ages produced granite landforms of associated rock properties. Appearing in many different forms and intriguing shapes, these landforms form a dramatic showcase of natural sculptures. They command considerable research and scenic value.

Mengshan Mountain Fault is the mainframe structure of this region. It has great importance in the geological history of western Shandong. The fault is more than 100 km in length and orientation is 300°-330°. It dips to the southwest in generally good continuity. There are composite branches in some places which intersect with the Yi-Shu Fault Zone in the east. It marks the boundary line between Pingyi Depression and Mengshan Mountain Relief. The hanging walls of the fault are Mesozoic and Cainozoic basins formed mainly by clastic rock sedimentation. The footwall is the Mengshan Mountain Relief which is mainly Neoarchean intrusive rock. Breccia and cataclasite occur in the fault zone. Gouge and striation are observable, and there are also traction folds. Mengshan Mountain Fault had strict control over the formation and development of the Mengshan Mountain range and depression basins.

Paleontological Relics

Third member thick-bedded stromatolitic limestone of the Zhangxia Formation is well-exposed atop Tianqiao Gu in Daigu Area. Total area of the outcrop plane exceeds 1km². Stromatolite on the plane surface is undulating and uneven. It appears hummocky, drum-shaped or hemispherical. Bulges of laminar algal mats are visible on the section.

The Mantou Formation shale in Daigu Area contains fossils of trilobites. Trilobites were arthropods of the class Trilobita. They had segmented bodies divided by grooves into three vertical lobes. They first appeared in the Cambrian some 540 Ma, and became extirpated in the Terminal Permian 250 Ma during mass extinction. The Cambrian marked the beginning of the Phaneozoic Eon. It was also the peak of arthropods and trilobites. Resultantly, the Cambrian is also called the Trilobite Age. Trilobite fossils are important evidences for zoning and comparing Cambrian strata. They are also an important type of fossils from the Early Palaeozoic.

If you compare Yimengshan to a human being, the peaks represent the skeleton, and the water sights represent the meridian. The water landscape here is dynamic and magnificent. China Waterfall looks like the map of China, with three layers and three pools. The misty Yumenghu Lake is always decorated with green ripples. "Jiulongtan" waterfall flies straight down like a dragon out from water. "Three Longmen Pools" pond splashes with joy, and the droplets look like pearls. Gurgling streams with mountains and water around, Yimengshan Geopark is such a beautiful place, where the streams flow around the mountains, and it present a charming water scenery even better than South China's.

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