TROPICAL GEOGRAPHY ›› 2017, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (4): 610-619.doi: 10.13284/j.cnki.rddl.002972

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Discovery and Scientific Significance of Qixinggang Relics of Ancient Coast,Guangzhou

ZHAO Huanting   

  1. (CAS Key Laboratory of Ocean and Marginal Sea Geology,South China Sea Institute of Oceanology,Guangzhou 510301,China)
  • Online:2017-07-05 Published:2017-07-05

Abstract:

It is discussed in this paper about the discovery and report of coastal erosion landform in Qixinggang and barrier-lagoon system landform in Songgang of the southeastern suburb of Guangzhou by Wu Shangshi in 1937. Wu Shangshi is proved to be the first discoverer of ancient coastal landform in the Pearl River (Zhujiang) Estuary and Delta area, which formed in the middle Holocene while global sea-level rising and Guizhou transgression in Pearl River Estuary in 8-2 ka BP. The discovery has important scientific significance and shows that the research capacity of Chinese scholars can rival the contemporary foreign counterparts. The discovery supports the existence of Pearl River Delta and provides evidences in kind for the record of the evolution of the Pearl River Estuary in Chinese ancient books, while playing a major role in teaching practice, scientific research, public knowledge popularization and social-culture education in past decades. Several generations of geological, geographical and marine talents benefited from Qixinggang relics of ancient coast. The discussion and study of the erosion landform of Qixinggang promotes the development of geomorphology, Quaternary geology, paleooceanography, paleogeography, estuarine and coastal research in Guangzhou area and global change study. There is more achievement and talents in the formation and development of Pearl River Delta, which devoted in the regulation of Pearl River Estuary Delta. Qixinggang relics of ancient coast were listed as city-level key historical relic by Guangzhou government in 1956 and monument was set up there by Guangdong Geographical Society in 1983. The scientific park of Qixinggang relics of ancient coast is being built, while the first stage project has been commissioned and sculpture of Wu Shangshi has been unveiled. All of those would be good for the efficient protection and teaching and researching of Qixinggang relics of ancient coastal landform. We should learn from Wu Shangshi with his scientific innovation spirit of emphasizing on field-study, seeking truth from the facts, no superstitions, no blind obedience, bold exploration, and hard writing.

Key words: Qixinggang, relics of ancient coast, sea eroded cliff, sea eroded cave, sea abrasion platform, barrier-lagoon system, Pearl River (Zhujiang) Delta, Wu Shangshi