DISCOVERY OF ZHANGSHIYAN LANDFORM AND ITS VALUE IN TOURISM DEVELOPMENT
嶂石岩地貌之发现及其旅游开发价值

On the basis of comparing with the related geomorphologic types, a new geomorphologic type-the Zhangshiyan landform has been recognized. With the horizontal extended hard quartzitic sandstone of proterozoic era as the landscape-forming strata, the landscape-geomor-phological series is dominated by the step like extending great walls characterized by a flat top,, steep body and obvious edges and corners, the cloak-like valleys and the mesas formed mainly by lateral wedge shaped erosion and devolution process. The slope development process can be divided into 4 stages; rock cliff recession-rock crack development; alley-valley development-cloak-like valley formation; cloak-like valley development-mesa and tower column formation; mesa and tower column development-block monadnock. Morphologically the landform can be classified into 8 categories and 29 types. It is considered that the Zhangshiyan Landform possesses multiple value for tourism including sightseeing, sport, summering, scientific research, etc.