Aketuke Badlands

Aketuke Badlands

The Aketuke Badlands are located within Woyimuke Township, Burqin County, on the first and second terraces on the northern bank of the Ertix River, approximately 24 kilometers southeast of Burqin County town. A paved road leads directly to the site, which has the geographical coordinates of 47°48′56″N, 86°39′10″E, and an elevation of 480 meters. This area was formed through the erosion, cutting, and wind action of flowing water. On the slopes of the terraces, ravines crisscross, alternating with small earthen ridges, spaced 5–10 meters apart. The ridges generally rise 5–15 meters high, with the tallest reaching up to 25 meters, covering a total area of over 3 square kilometers. The density of gullies and ridges is 150 per square kilometer. They are composed of the exposed, gently inclined Upper Tertiary strata, primarily consisting of red, earth-red, light yellow, and light green mudstones and conglomerate rocks. Due to varying degrees of resistance to weathering among the different rock layers, they form jagged and uneven contours. Combined with the colorful layers of rock, the landscape presents a dazzling array of hues and takes on peculiar shapes resembling colorful ancient castles, monsters, and clusters of peaks—distinctive aeolian landforms that constitute classic badlands. The area lies in an arid and windy zone, receiving only 118 millimeters of annual precipitation and experiencing over 40 days of strong winds each year. When the wind blows, the gullies emit varied sounds, contributing to a mysterious and eerie atmosphere.