A significant discovery was about to take place in the far corners of China’s Leye-Fengshan Global Geopark, a place renowned for its amazing natural beauties. Situated in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, this UNESCO-designated geopark was already well-known for having the longest natural bridge in the world and a maze of complicated caves. But something genuinely amazing was waiting to be revealed beneath the surface of one of its enormous sinkholes.
The Devonian and Permian eras are represented in the geopark’s geological formations, which are mostly sedimentary rocks and span a thickness of more than 3,000 metres. In the karst-rich areas of Leye and Fengshan counties, these old rocks formed a rhombus-shaped “S”-shaped structure that channelled the growth of the Bailang and Poyue, two major underground rivers. The Buliuhe River had also formed in the middle of this geological wonder, producing a profusion of karst geosites.
These geosites comprised large poljes, karst springs, karst windows (tiankengs), natural bridges, vast caverns, enormous cavern chambers, and speleothems. They also contained towering karst peak clusters, or fengcong. The geopark also had minor folds, fault zones, and even enormous panda fossils, offering a rare look into the planet’s past.
However, the mysterious sinkhole that scientists found in May 2022 took centre stage. This sinkhole was an unmatched natural wonder, reaching a depth of 630 feet and measuring over 490 feet in width and more than 1,000 feet in length. And even more amazing was what was within.
Scientists discovered a healthy ecosystem—an old forest with mature trees and plants—within this enormous fissure. Some of these species had evolved in solitude for countless generations; they were completely unknown to science. At 1,004 feet long and 492 feet broad, the vast cavern revealed the mysteries of three cave entrances that the daring explorers had discovered.
The expedition’s commander, Chen Lixin, beaming with anticipation, remarked, “It wouldn’t surprise me if we find species in these caves that science hasn’t yet documented.” Deep within the Earth, towering trees, some topping 130 feet in height, stood quiet witnesses to an unspoiled planet.
George Veni, the head of the National Cave and Karst Research Institute, was consulted in order to obtain a better understanding of the karst landscape and the natural processes that lead to this fascinating sinkhole. He clarified that the region’s substantial karst landscape was the reason behind the emergence of these sinkholes. The bedrock was steadily corroded by the slightly acidic rainwater that seeped through the ground and took up carbon dioxide. Cavities and tunnels beneath the surface were formed by this unrelenting, sluggish process.
Sinkholes were created when these underground areas became sufficiently enough for the rocks above them to give way. Veni highlighted how karst landforms may vary greatly according on temperature and location, which makes southern China a genuine treasure trove of breathtaking sinkholes and caverns.
The finding of the ancient forest inside the sinkhole, despite its astounding nature, was yet another example of the secrets that lie beneath the surface of the Earth in this special region of China. With its enormous sinkholes and vast cave entrances, the area’s “Spectacular Karst” served as a testament to the astounding beauty and geological marvel that might be found beneath our feet.
It became clear that there were still a lot of undiscovered natural wonders on Earth as scientists and explorers dug deeper into its mysteries. We remain in awe of the planet we live on as the grand tales of its geological past come to light with every new discovery.