Geological Features of China

The People's Republic of China is stretching from the eastern part of Asia to the western bank of the Pacific Ocean, and its tectonic plate lies in the southeast margin of the Eurasian plate, where it meets the pacific plate and the Gandise-India plate. China varies in the geological environment, different process of geological history, and regional geology of unique characteristics. Overall, the stratum has developed completely with various types of sedimentation, and the tectonics are complicated as active belts and stable zones coexist. Magmatic activities are frequent, and geohistory is lengthy. Various types of Metamorphism happened in different degrees. China is not only one of the regions of significant geological features, but also among the regions for study in terms of tectonics, especially the evolution of crustal tectonics during Mesozoic and Cenozoic. Diversified geological and tectonic activities not only provided favorable conditions for mineralization, but also formed a spectacular topography.

China is blessed with vast territories and spectacular mountains and rivers. The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau lies in the southwest of China, well-known as the 'Roof of the World'; it also boasts the highest peak in the world- Everest, with an altitude of 8848 meters. Xinjiang Turpan Basin with a height of 155 meters is the lowest depression in China and one of the most famous depressions in the world. In addition, towering Tianshan, Yinshan, Kunlun, Qinling, Nanling mountains are meandering eastward, while the Changjiang River, Yellow River, Pearl River and Heilongjiang River wind their way to the east. China's terrain descends from west to east. Southern China abounds in towering and steep mountains and rolling rice fields; Great sections of the Gobi Desert dot the broad northern China.