Shanwang National Geopark, Shandong

This park is located approximately 22 km east of Linxi County in Shandong Province and became a national geopark in 2002. The park is located in the Linqu Depression in the Luzhong uplift area. Its highest peak is Lushan Mountain, which has an elevation of 405 m. It is composed of the Jiejiahe Basin and the Baojiahe Basin, and its periphery is composed of basalt hills. The park is characterised by ancient mountains and volcanic landscapes that reflect its formation. The park contains the richest and most complete bird fossils found in China to date. The fossils were mainly preserved in the diatomite layer of the Miocene Shanwang Formation (approximately 14 million years old). More than a dozen types of fossils of more than 600 species have been found, including insects, fish, spiders, amphibians, crawlers, birds and mammals. The fossilised veins of worms are clear and well preserved, and some still retain brilliant colours. A total of 11 orders, 46 families, 100 genera, and 182...