A Crack in Time: Exploring China's Pinglu Rift Valley

3rd April, 2024 CHIRANJIT MITRA CHIRANJIT MITRA

[{"selector":"#anim-97edd58d-1d33-4908-a5b5-9ab70a6cfe28 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, -24.999932039019292%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bf035a63-0334-4eb4-9288-3a7b750c88b6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-555e7058-b417-42dd-8a86-b93af2f6ccd5","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Deep within China lies a geological wonder - the Pinglu Rift Valley. Millions of years in the making, this valley offers a glimpse into the Earth's dynamic past. Learn more

[{"selector":"#anim-62a3eea7-40dd-46f3-823b-b1e779ed78a6 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(30.72376203705488%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-106bcbc4-23bc-43c4-a393-a7c5601c270f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8fd51bed-7c84-46c6-9a4c-d7db988d6d8d","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Location: Nestled in Shanxi Province, Pinglu Valley is south of the Yellow River and near the city of Yuncheng.

[{"selector":"#anim-4eb4a918-9a19-4b9e-a798-5cfb132a06b1 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(16.92666204555659%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-19491b87-85eb-4893-b9c5-90442a92bf30","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-937a8f13-df93-4bf7-828b-d9b8d97c2f9b","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] A Natural Divide: The valley cuts through the landscape, creating a dramatic separation between the plains on either side.

[{"selector":"#anim-f35e45ac-444c-4165-9af7-344272ee8f38 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7f5e4e36-4c07-4ba4-88ac-fcc958ac4389","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b316cc51-5c64-490c-8657-0aa66f8ff952","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Towering Heights: The valley reaches depths of 100 meters (330 ft) at its deepest point, with towering cliffs lining its path.

[{"selector":"#anim-8fba812f-f13e-450d-be08-5ccc26eaf457 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-70555b29-a905-41db-8221-e4d6af3ba08c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b5efd3a9-ebf6-4fd5-ad57-0dc4fa89ce8e","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Ancient Formation: Geologists believe the rift valley began forming over 10 million years ago due to the movement of tectonic plates.

[{"selector":"#anim-ab29f6f6-d313-44a2-a2f3-660025c3ba13 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-4.370072631677641%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1bb68225-05c3-4e1b-a61d-87d46d80dd0a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-900fa52e-fb38-41a5-82da-ed460639d54a","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Volcanic Legacy: Volcanic activity and glacial sculpting are thought to have further shaped the valley over time.

[{"selector":"#anim-d32391fa-003f-49c0-8e67-c27b46b8af3f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-5.2654173262495485%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cbb00974-f51d-46cd-9091-a1f01bf450c6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-51213378-144f-489d-a4e4-ebecee4fc193","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] A Natural Sanctuary: The valley might be home to diverse plant and animal life, offering a haven for unique species. Learn more

[{"selector":"#anim-b0561056-0396-457d-88f0-1c2b11fb859f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-3.8461538461538507%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-58d9bb7a-547e-440a-a20b-1fbd85f03105","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-12522ca1-758a-40a1-b779-d63c72195a2a","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] A Window to the Past: The Pinglu Rift Valley is a fascinating reminder of Earth's ever-changing landscape and a valuable resource for scientific study. Learn more