LINKS BETWEEN TOPOGRAPHY, TECTONISM, CLIMATE CHANGE, AND LITHOLOGY: INSIGHTS FROM THE STUDY ON THE DANXIA LANDFORM

This article presents the Links between topography, tectonism, climate change, and lithology from the study on the Danxia Landform. Geomorphology is a result of the interaction between geology, climate and human activities. China Danxia(or Danxia Landform) is the name given in China to landscapes developed on continental red terrigenous sedimentary beds influenced by endogenous forces (including uplift) and exogenous forces (including weathering and erosion). The case study is one of the most representative Danxia landforms evolved from cretaceous red beds basin in south China Fold belt. Aster DEM is useful for an interpretation of the macro- and meso-relief. Aster DEM (30m resolution) is applied for the visualization of basin pattern which could be related to a flat –slab subduction model that cause the formation of 1300-Km South China Fold belt (orogeny). The tectonism caused the wide distribution of Granite and rhyolite from Jurassic to Cretaceous, which are main sediment source of the Cretaceous red beds basin. By analysis of Aster DEM profile data, two peneplains were revealed (200 m-300 m asl; 450m-600m asl). The existence of peneplains are record of the intermittent uplift history. The depositional environment model is proposed due to the Spatial and temporal distribution of the lithology. Danxia Landform was inscribed on the world natural heritage list by Worl Heritage Committee on Aug 1, 2010. An understanding to the Landform genesis is essential to the whole systematic process that leads to a specific landfom today.