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Monument Erected in East China to Indicate Ancient Geological Section
Monument Erected in East China to Indicate Ancient Geological Section
A landmark monument was erected Friday, August 10 in Coal Mountain in east China's Zhejiang Province to indicate the section between two ancient geological eras, when drastic biological changes happened billions of years ago.
Some 100 geologists from 15 countries and regions were on the spot to witness the ceremony, and paid their respects to the great achievement that Chinese scientists have made in the world's geological arena.
Locations marking geological sections are known as global stratotype sections and points (GSSP). The section found in Coal Mountain divides the geological ages of the Paleozoic Era and Mesozoic Era, which mark catastrophic biological alteration more serious than the time when dinosaurs became extinct.
Richard Lane, vice chairman of the International Stratum Committee and senior Chinese officials, unveiled the monument, which is one of 13 standard sections selected to separate geological ages on earth.
The designation of the location has taken 80 years of efforts by Chinese and foreign geologists. The supposition of the location was made by an American Chinese expert in 1923. An institute set up by experts from the Chinese Academy of Sciences was set up here in 1977 to conduct intensive tests.
In the years that followed, Yang Zunyi, a Chinese academician, led a group of Chinese geologists to participate in an international stratum comparison planning project, which has drawn over 200 experts from 20 countries and regions around the world for the designation of standard geological sections.
The principal work of the International Stratum Committee is to specify GSSPs.
For over 100 years, scientists could only assume the location of the division between the Paleozoic Era and the Mesozoic Era with fossilized ammonite stone. The distribution of the stone is limited, which created difficulties in the dating.
The laying of the Coal Mountain Monument has great scientific significance, said Michael Orchard, chairman of the International Triassic Division Commission.
He considered it important for the study of the earth in this era, which will contribute to the coordination of relations between humans and nature.
The expert said that the geological relic in the Coal Mountain has been well protected, setting a good example in geological protection.
The mountain located in Changxing County, Zhejiang, is home to an ancient gingko community and a nature reserve for the endangered Chinese alligator.
Another old stone monument written in both the Chinese and English languages was set in the mountain area. The date engraved on it is "March 14, 1980." This indicates the sustained effort to protect the geological features by local people.
The county government has recently approved funding of 80 million yuan (9.6 million U.S. dollars) for the protection of the rare geological area.
Zhang Mengjin, vice governor of Zhejiang, Shou Jiahua, vice minister of land and resources and Song Ruixiang, vice director of the State Administration of Environment Protection, attended the ceremony.
After the ceremony, Chinese and foreign geologists will hold a four-day international meeting on Triassic divisions.
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