Xiaozhai Heavenly Pit Facts
- This utterly mind-blowing creation of time and geological processes most commonly goes by the descriptive name of the Xiaozhai Heavenly Pit. It does have a few other titles, though. These include Xiaozhai Sinkhole, Daji Xiaozhai Tiankeng, and Chongqing Xiaozhai Tiankeng.
- Regardless of which of these particular monikers one chooses to use when speaking of it, the formation remains a truly spectacular one. It also stands out in the annals of science due to one impressive face. This marvel ranks as the deepest known sinkhole in the entire world.
- The local inhabitants of its region long knew of this marvel’s existence, of course. However, the outside world did not learn of it until 1994. At that time, a joint expedition of Chinese and British geologists documented the site during a comprehensive karst survey of the area.
- Fortunately, the breathtaking Xiaozhai Heavenly Pit now enjoys a certain amount of protection from the depredations of man. In 2007, UNESCO added this wonder and the surrounding region to its World Heritage List, due to its unique topography and extensive cave systems.
- This remarkable natural feature understandably now serves as the centerpiece of a National Park. Appropriately named the Tiankeng Difeng National Park, the entire region comprises an area renowned for its karst landscapes and many other significant geological features.
- While protected, it nevertheless faces several potential threats to its stability to and pristine natural state. A staircase, added for tourism, if not properly maintained and managed holds the possibility of leading to soil erosion, disturbance of native flora and fauna, and pollution.
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Xiaozhai Heavenly Pit Physical Description
The otherworldy splendor of Xiaozhai Heavenly Pit perfectly serves as the source of this general epithet. This product of natural forces rarely fails to leave the visitor utterly speechless. It does so, though, due to an uncommon combination of sheer beauty and truly astounding dimensions.
As previously mentioned, it’s forms the deepest of any known formation of its kind on earth. Yet, its distinctiveness doesn’t rely solely on that fact, impressive though it ranks. That’s because it’s also what’s called double-nested sinkhole, meaning it has two main collapses stacked atop each other.
Each of the two separate collapses holds its own particular form of distinction, however. The upper bowl has a significantly wider opening than the lower one. Displaying its own visual uniqueness, the lower section possesses a much steeper angle of decline. The combination forms striking contrasts.
In general form, the opening of this wonder holds a roughly rectangular shape. Its length measures an astonishing 2,054 ft (626 m). The width isn’t anything to ignore either, though. That spans about 1,762 ft (537 m). Its depth stands out the most, however, at an unbelievable 2,172 ft (662 m).
Yet, the aweomeness of Xiaozhai Heavenly Pit does not end there. Another seemingly miraculous sight awaits the adventurous souls who visit the location. At the bottom of this enormous sinkhole lies an underground river. Named the Difeng River, it flows into a vast cave system, disappearing.
That feature itself descends a known distance of approximately 2,953 ft (900 m) below the surface. To date, however, only 5.3 mi (8.5 km) have been reliably mapped. The system includes vertical shafts, underground waterfalls, and chambers, some of which geologists continue to explore.
Xiaozhai Heavenly Pit Location, Formation, and Ecology
The staggering Xiaozhai Heavenly Pit formed in a region of the surface of the earth already well known for its abundance of beauty, both biological and geological. That general location therefore won’t surprise too many people. This stunning feature formed in a section of the continent of Asia.
Somewhat more precisely, its setting places it within the national borders of the country of China. There, it lies in the southwestern part of the nation, within the Chongqing Municipality. Nature created this geological formation situated about 18.6 mi (30 km) south of the county seat of Fengjie.
Nature created this geological beauty through a rare and powerful process. That took place over a period of millions of years. Scientists remain uncertain as to exactly when the formation began, however. Evidence indicates its current shape began to take shape about 128,000 years ago.
The bedrock of the surrounding landmass consists primarily of soft sandstone. Rainwater, slightly acidic due to dissolved carbon dioxide, seeped into fractures in the limestone. Over time, the acid inexorably dissolved the rock, beginning the formation of numerous underground voids and caves.
At some later point, the flow of water now named the Difeng River began to flow through these open spaces. Precisely when that began also currently remains undetermined by researchers. That action eroded and expanded the cave system from the inside, carving out huge chambers.
Eventually, the cave ceiling became too thin to support the weight above. That eventually collapsed, creating the basic vertical chasm as it exists today. This did not occur all at once, however. As previously stated, this collapse occurred in two separate and distinct stages, at different times.
The ecology of Xiaozhai Heavenly Pit easily remains as fascinating as its geological formation. Because of its unique structure and isolation, the sinkhole slowly developed a distinct micro-ecosystem that supports a variety of plant and animal species. It’s like a very small, separate world.
The sinkhole’s bottom houses a dense subtropical forest due to its cooler, more humid environment compared to the surrounding landscape. Trees measuring up to 131 ft (40 m) thrive there, creating a canopy that shields the understory. Other vegetation includes many vines, ferns, and mosses.
The captivating sinkhole supports an astoundingly rich biodiversity. Amazingly, this actually numbers over 1,000 species of plants and animals. These forms of life include rare and endemic species due to the nature of the pit, along with its uniquely humid microclimate and isolation.
Mammals observed within its confines include the Clouded Leopard, though it’s rarely seen, wild boar, Sambar deer, and various smaller rodents. Its tropical setting also serves as home to multiple avian species. Notable among these stands Golden pheasants and red-billed blue magpies.
The extremely humid environment of the setting also supports a variety of amphibians and reptiles alike. That includes frogs, salamanders, and lizards, such as the Chinese salamander. The fabulous ecosystem further supports several species of insects, particularly butterflies and beetles.
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