Mount Fushan National Geopark

　　Anhui Mount Fushan National Geopark is situated in Zongyang County, Anqing City, Anhui Province. It lies 36 kilometers from downtown Zongyang and 40 kilometers from Tongcheng, with waterway access to the Yangtze River. The total area of the geopark is 76.69 square kilometers. The geopark features a volcanic landform type.

　　The park is a relatively large-scale ancient volcanic eruption center zone, where the morphology of the ancient volcano is well-preserved. Various volcanic structures such as ring-shaped mountains, annular faults, radial fractures, collapsed volcanic depressions, and composite domes are all clearly visible. The unique volcanic landform landscape of Mount Fushan lies within its caldera volcanic structure. In particular, the Fushan caldera preserves a complete volcanic landform with a typical shape—approximately circular in plan, with a diameter of about 4 square kilometers and an area of around 14 square kilometers. Its surface forms a basin-like depression with high edges and a low center, characteristic of a typical collapsed volcanic depression. The rock facies are complete and diverse, and structural features are clearly observable. These include composite domes, volcanic craters, volcanic bells, volcanic bombs (pumice), lava flows, annular and radial fractures, and turtle-cracked patterns. Between Lotus Peak and Cloud Ladder Peak in Fushan, on the weakly welded tuff layers formed by pyroclastic flows, large areas of irregular polygonal turtle-cracked structures are commonly exposed. These reveal the unique traces of cooling and contraction on the surfaces of layered volcanic rocks. The cracks extend vertically down the rock layers in regular patterns, forming columnar joints. Weathering and leaching along these joints have resulted in steep peak forest landscapes such as “Hundred Buddhas Worshiping the Tathagata.” Within the weakly welded tuff formed by pyroclastic flows, vertically continuous vesicular structures are found throughout the layers. These vesicular structures were formed during the solidification process after the deposition of hot, volatile-rich pyroclastic flows, as gases escaped continuously. The “Sea Island Snow Waves” scenic spot in Fushan is a relatively typical natural section of a pyroclastic flow, with each flow representing a separate volcanic eruption.

　　The park is a relatively large ancient volcanic eruption center area, where the morphology of the ancient volcano is well-preserved. Various volcanic structures such as circular mountain ranges, ring fractures, radial fractures, collapsed volcanic depressions, and composite domes are all clearly visible. The unique volcanic landform landscape of Fushan is situated within the Fushan caldera structure. In particular, the Fushan caldera has well-preserved volcanic landforms with typical morphology. Its plan view is approximately circular, with a diameter of about 4 square kilometers and an area of around 14 square kilometers. The surface morphology is that of a basin-shaped depression with high edges and a low center, representing a typical collapsed volcanic depression. The rock facies are complete and varied, and structural features are clearly visible. There are composite domes, volcanic craters, volcanic bells, volcanic cinders (pumice), lava flows, ring and radial fractures, as well as turtle-crack patterns. In the area from Fushan’s Lotus Peak to Cloud Ladder Peak, on the weakly welded tuff layers formed by pyroclastic flows, large expanses of irregular polygonal turtle-crack structures are commonly exposed. These display the unique remnants of cooling and contraction on the layered volcanic rock surfaces. The cracks extend vertically down the rock layers in a regular pattern, forming columnar jointing. Weathering and leaching along these joints have resulted in steep peak forest landscapes such as “Hundred Buddhas Worshiping the Tathagata.” In the weakly welded tuff formed by pyroclastic flows, continuously distributed vertical vesicular structures are found throughout the layers. These vesicular structures were formed during the solidification process of hot, volatile-rich pyroclastic ash flows after deposition, as volatiles continuously escaped. The “Sea Island Snow Waves” scenic spot in the Fushan area is a relatively typical natural outcrop of a pyroclastic flow, with each flow representing a single volcanic eruption.

　　Mount Fushan is a caldera formed by volcanic eruptions during the Cretaceous period (about 135 million to 65 million years ago). Its current form is the result of the disintegration and collapse of its original volcanic cone. The characteristics of the volcanic rocks and their rhythmic layering reflect the features of Fushan-period volcanic activity and the formation process of the volcanic structure. The rhythmic layering of Fushan volcanic rocks is intact, and the geological phenomena are typical, making it the most representative igneous province of Mesozoic trachytic volcanic rocks in China, and also quite rare among known Mesozoic volcanic regions abroad. Fushan volcanic rocks have been designated by the Chinese Stratigraphic Lexicon as the typical representative of the “Fushan Cycle” volcanic rocks, holding significant reference value in geology.

　　In short, within Mount Fushan National Geopark, hidden caves and serene valleys, soaring cliffs, uniquely shaped peaks and grotesque rocks each possess their own charm. Coupled with meandering clear waters, crisscrossing ravines, and naturally-formed picturesque scenery, the views are truly breathtaking. Moreover, the cultural landscapes of Fushan are rich and diverse, leaving behind many precious cultural relics.

　　Address: Zongyang County, Anqing City, Anhui Province

　　Transportation: Take a bus from Anqing Long-Distance Bus Station to Zongyang County