Survey of world's largest canyon in China wraps up

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 ◆ Survey of world's largest canyon in China wraps up

A large-scale geological survey of the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon was recently wrapped up, providing firsthand geochemical data for the development of the world's largest canyon.

The survey of the canyon, located in the southeastern part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau known as "the roof of the world," was carried out by scientists from the Henan and Gansu Geology and Mineral Resources Departments, both affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Since April 2000, geologists have measured water sediment across a land area of 17,162 square kilometers and charted hundreds of maps.

As well as collecting 400 rock samples and 3,954 sediment samples for measurement, they also detected 13 geological abnormalities and analyzed 42 elements and oxides.

Experts said their survey contributes important information for the future exploitation of mines in the canyon and makes it possible to better evaluate the region's development potential.

The 504.9-kilometer-long canyon has an average depth of more than 5,000 meters, with the deepest point reaching 6,009 meters.

Snaking around the Himalayas, the canyon has a deep drop with various vertical biological belts abounding in natural resources and mineral deposits.