Re-upgrading of Jiugequan Field Scientific Research Station in Zhangye UGGp
The ophiolite in Jiugequan of Zhangye UGGp confirms the existence of the Ancient Qilian Ocean in the early Paleozoic. It is one of the world-class geoheritages supporting the successful application of the Zhangye UGGp.
Zhangye UGGp has carried out comprehensive upgrading and quality improvement of “hardware + software” for Jiugequan Field Scientific Research Station to meet the requirement of “ensure the adapted conservation of the geological heritage sites of International value” and “develop the existing ‘Investigation Station at Jiugequan’ into an international research centre in areas of ophiolite geology, high-mountain ecology and/or mountain tourism, to establish a niche in ‘scientific tourism’” from the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council. This upgrading will be a greatly assist in the revalidation of Zhangye UGGp in 2023 and will help the geopark give better play to the science popularization, education, and promotion of local economic sustainable development functions.
The facilities of Jiugequan Field Scientific Research Station are enhanced to improve the accessibility for tourism
Jiugequan, at the north slope of the Qilian Mountains, is located in the western part of the geopark, about 30 km away from the urban area of Sunan Yugur Minority Autonomous County Town. Jiugequan Field Scientific Research Station was completed and put into use in 2019. It consists of a scientific research information-sharing area, a geo-hazard knowledge popularization area, and a scientific research supply area. This year, according to experts’ recommendations and practical requirements, Zhangye UGGp reclassified the functions of the Jiugequan Field Scientific Research Station. A rock and mineral specimen display area, a conference area, and the living are added to the station, and research facilities and living materials such as air conditioning, sleeping bags, and quilts are supplemented. Up to now, it can fulfill the needs of a 20-person scientific research team for the short to medium term. Zhangye UGGp steeped ahead steadily in the practical exploration of “scientific tourism”.
The comparative study of Jiugequan ophiolite has been initiated, and the world-class scientific significance of Jiugequan will be further explored
Jiugequan is one of the first places in China to study plate tectonics. It is an important research site for many world-class academic conferences, such as the 30th International Geological Congress in 1996, with great scientific significance. The comparative study of Jiugequan ophiolite has been initiated in Zhangye UGGp, which aims to excavate the scientific values of Jiugequan as a world-class geoheritage, enrich the science popularization, and strengthen the communication and cooperation with other Global Geoparks. Under the guidance of experts, the staff of Zhangye UGGp went to Laji Mountain in Qinghai Province, Qinling Zhongnanshan in Shaanxi Province, Funiushan in Henan Province, and Arxan in Inner Mongolia Province to conduct field studies and collect mineral specimens of ophiolite. When they returned to Zhangye, they carried out in-depth investigation and research on the key geoheritages such as Jiugequan ophiolite suite, strike-slip fault, hydrothermal spring, and blueschist. The achievements of the research will be drafted by the end of June this year.
