The Evolution of Yardangs

The development process of Yardangs in the Geopark is generally divided into six stages: embryonic, infancy, adolescent, mature, recession, and decline.

EMBRYONIC STAGE: After being uplifted tectonically, Yardang landform was eroded by water flowing along fractures (joints).

INFANCY: Running water and wind constantly widen and deepen the existing etched grooves, and Yardangs gradually took shape.

ADOLESCENT STAGE: With further erosion, mound-shaped Yardangs resembled  fleets sailing in the sea. This stage marks the heyday of Yardangs’ development.

MATURE STAGE: Mound-shaped Yardangs were eroded continuously and cut into small adjacent Yardangs by longitudinal grooves, predominantly in tower and column shapes.

RECESSION STAGE: With the continuous erosion, large Yardangs gradually developed toward lower, smaller forms, and eventually disappeared. Generally, Yardangs stood sparsely or alone.

DECLINE STAGE: Yardangs collapsed into monadnock, and most areas where Yardangs once existed eventually evolved into Gobi.