Recently, Professor TIAN Mingzhong from China University of Geosciences (Beijing) and Professor WANG Genhou, the specially-invited dean of School of Geological Engineering of Qinghai University, led a joint scientific expedition in Kanbula Geopark with the participation of Hydrographic Geology Engineering Geological Prospecting Institute of Gansu Provincial Bureau of Geology and Mineral Exploration & development. 

The expedition was attended by more than 20 postgraduate students.

Professor WANG said, “Through the expedition, we have made a number of new achievements and got innovative new understandings”. 

One is the discovery of a large number of “seismic rocks” dating back 230 million years in the Tethys tectonic domain in the geopark. The discovery of the seismic rocks proves that a major earthquake occurred in this area around 230 million years ago. The second is the discovery of the world’s unique “molds structure” in this area. Molds structure appears in the complex marble construction of marine sediments. The rich molds structures discovered in the geopark are typical and rare in the world.

The joint expedition is of great scientific significance for Kanbula Geopark to further carry out geoscientific research and scientific popularization activities, and enhance the understanding of the evolution of the geological environment of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and Kanbula Geopark territory.