In China’s Leye-Fengshan Global Geopark, 630 feet below the surface of a sinkhole, scientists have found a vast ancient forest.
You best grasp on tight before you see what’s inside!
UNESCO claims that the area is home to the longest natural bridge in the world as well as caverns. It can be found in China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
According to UNESCO’s website, “the UNESCO Global Geopark is primarily sedimentary with more than 60% of 3000m thick Devonian to Permian carbonate rocks.”
“It forms a rhombus configuration in the karst areas of Fengshan county and Leye county, respectively, controlling the development of two large subterranean rivers, the Bailang and Poyue.”
Additionally, the Buliuhe River was created between these two underground rivers. Numerous karst geosites, such as large caverns, enormous chambers within the caves, poljes, karst springs, karst windows (tiankengs), natural bridges, and high karst peak clusters (fengcong) were produced in the area surrounding these rivers.
Fault lines, small folds, giant panda fossils, a Neogene stratigraphic section, and other fossils are also present.
“The high fengcong karst and tiankengs’ evolution stages are distinctly visible at the UNESCO Global Geopark. It has the longest natural bridges in the world, the densest tiankeng population, the biggest known cave chambers, and the most exquisite karst windows.
Sinkholes can be produced by loose soil structure that erodes from above or below the surface in karst terrain.
In May 2022, researchers found a brand-new sinkhole in the park. Its dimensions are almost 1,000 feet long, 490 feet broad, and over 630 feet deep.
There are numerous mature trees and plants in this sinkhole. It’s possible that some of them represent novel species.
Three cave openings have been found by scientists within the massive 1,004-foot-long and 492-foot-wide area.
The expedition’s commander, Chen Lixin, remarked, “It wouldn’t surprise me if we find species in these caves that science hasn’t yet documented.”
He said he saw trees in the bush that stood over 130 feet tall.
The National Cave and Karst Research Institute’s director, George Veni, was also consulted.
He claims that the karst terrain, which is made up of sinkholes caused by crumbling bedrock, can vary drastically depending on the temperature, location, and other factors.
The fact that this is the thirty-first known opening in the area is very amazing. A place that makes China proud is Xiaozhai Tiankeng, home of the largest pit on Earth.
“There is this really amazing karst in China that has enormous sinkholes, enormous cave entrances, and so forth.”
“You really don’t notice anything when you step outside on a karst in other parts of the earth. Sinkholes may only have a diameter of one or two meters, making them rather modest.
It may be necessary for you to squeeze through narrow cave entrances.
Though it seems unbelievable, the expert wasn’t unduly shocked by the finding. Southern China is naturally home to a great number of intriguing caverns and sinkholes because of its vast karst topography.
He clarified that the erosion of the rock occurs in karst environments due to the slightly acidic precipitation.
Rainwater increases the acidity of the soil by absorbing carbon dioxide from the earth when it percolates through it.
After that, water starts to seep and flow through the fractures in the bedrock, eventually forming tunnels and holes.
When these underground areas get big enough for the rock above them to collapse, a sinkhole is formed.
The fact that this is the thirty-first known opening in the area is very amazing. Xiaozhai Tiankeng is another item that brings great pride to China.
Additional Trending Findings:
This gigantic sinkhole is 2,100 feet deep, 2,000 feet long, and 1,760 feet broad. Its interior has a stream, which makes it look like something out of Minecraft.
Watch the following video:
Please tell your family and friends about this incredible discovery!
