Explorers have discovered a unique natural mineral formation in the Xiniuyan Cave located in Wutun County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
Rare cave cloud structure in Guangxi. (Photo: Chen Lixin)
According to a report from the Karst Geology Institute of the China Geological Survey on July 2, “the cave cloud” covers an area of 300m2 and is divided into seven basins, each shaped like a pumpkin or a loaf of bread. The Xiniuyan Cave itself is 2,754 meters long with a gentle terrain.
“This is only the second cave cloud discovered in China, following the Jingua Cave in Danzhai County, Guizhou Province,” said Zhang Yuanhai, a senior engineer at the Karst Geology Institute. “The formation conditions for cave clouds are extremely harsh. The surrounding rocks are primarily dolomite, and karst caves formed by dolomite are not common.”
Karst is a weathering phenomenon characteristic of limestone mountain regions that have been eroded by flowing water. Wutun County is a typical karst terrain area in central Guangxi, rich in landscape resources such as karst caves, mountain forests, wetlands, rivers, and lakes.
The cave cloud in Xiniuyan Cave consists of 7 basins shaped like pumpkins or loaves of bread. (Photo: Chen Lixin)
Located about 20 km from the county center, Xiniuyan Cave was discovered in the 1990s, but this is the first time a cave cloud has been found there.
A team of explorers, including experts from China and France, conducted a survey of the terrain and limestone landscape of the cave while assessing the safety conditions inside. Their research has provided a strong scientific reference for the future expansion, utilization, and restoration of the cave.
