Hexigten Global Geopark, China

This geopark is located in the territory of Keshiketengqi in the Neijiagu Autonomous Region, and it covers an area of 1,343 km². It was granted the global geopark status in 2005 as one of the second group of approved global geoparks. It consists of nine scenic districts, namely, Darinor, Qingyuan, Asahout, Hunsindake, Xilamulun, Hottang, Huanggangliang, Pingdingshan and Wulanbutong. It is characterised by a Palaeozoic granite landscape and was the earliest designated area of the ‘Keqiu-Shizhuqun granite landscape’. Other geological features include Quaternary glaciers, granite, demarcation lines of the Tatai Formation, Ebara Lake, volcanic landforms, deserts, grasslands, hot springs, and the Sasahara Wetlands. Lake Darinol is located in the deep fault zone along the Xilamurun River. It is an inland lake that was formed in a fault depression and was filled by basaltic rocks. The Dali Nuoer volcanic group is located to the northwest of Dali Lake and has many volcanic cones. It is a...