Tectonic

The Geopark is located in the eastern part of the Tarim plate and occupies the depression region at the western end of the Hexi Corridor. It is a component of the Shule River depression within the Anxi–Dunhuang Basin. Over its extensive geological history, the area has experienced significant decline, substantial sediment accumulation as well as long-term exposure, weathering, denudation, and intense orogenic movements.

Fault Along the Southern Margin of Dunhuang Basin

Following a series of intricate tectonic movements, the Geopark's current geological features have emerged through Neotectonic movements. To be specific, chronologically, the primary faults in the region originated prior to the Paleogene (approximately 66 million years ago) and demonstrated heightened activities during the Quaternary (around 2.58 million years ago). From a spatial view, the regional Neotectonic movements exhibit characteristics such as novelty, inheritance, uplift, boundary definition, seismic impact, and symmetry. Main expressions include the traversing of the Quaternary stratum by the Altyn-Tagh Piedmont major fracture, the cut of the Piedmont Gobi and the deflection of rivers, and the relatively stable block to the north of the east-west buried fault boundary of the Shule River–Beishihe region and the basin with strong fault depression to the south. 

Joint of Castle-like Yardangs