The formation of Crescent Moon Spring
Our newspaper, Lanzhou, November 22, how was the Crescent Moon Spring, an eternal wonder, formed?
Will it disappear? How to rescue? The answer to these mysteries was finally revealed not long ago after the original Ministry of Geology and Mineral Resources commissioned the Lanzhou Hydrogeological Center to organize a number of experts to conduct investigation and research. Experts believe that its shrinking situation can be brought under control by the beginning of next year and avoided by the use of high-tech rescue operations.
Crescent Moon Spring is located in Mingsha Mountain, 5 kilometers south of Dunhuang City, Gansu Province.
Crescent Moon Spring and Mingsha Mountain are known as the two natural landscapes of Dunhuang, and have attracted countless Chinese and foreign tourists over the years.
Crescent Moon Spring is named after its shape that resembles a crescent moon. In the past, there have been various explanations for its formation, such as "broken spring layer" and "oxbow lake", but no special investigation and research has been done. In July last year, the Ministry of Land and Mines invited many famous experts, including many academicians of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, to conduct "consultations" on Crescent Spring. After more than a year of extensive ground research, Investigation and geophysical exploration work finally clarified the cause of Crescent Moon Spring. It turns out that this is a remnant lake of an ancient river channel. Due to the exposure of underground currents here, many springs were formed and pooled together. What's strange about it
is that it is surrounded by sand mountains on three sides, but it has not been buried for thousands of years.
According to the person in charge of the project, after exploration, Crescent Spring is supplied by shallow groundwater formed by the leakage of underground water in Danghe River. The Crescent Moon Spring area is an ancient river in the past. It has unique and smooth supply, drainage and drainage channels. Even in high temperature climate conditions, the Crescent Moon Spring has never been blocked. A large amount of spring water evaporated and dried up
; coupled with the special terrain where Crescent Moon Spring is surrounded by mountains on three sides and open on one side,
Crescent Moon Spring has never been buried by a large amount of wind and sand.
But experts also pointed out that this ancient wonder is in danger of disappearing.
According to measurements, the water area of Crescent Spring reached 14,652 square meters in the 1950s, with an average depth of 5 meters and a deepest depth of 7 meters. By September 1998, the water area of Crescent Spring had reached 14,652 square meters. There are only 5379 square meters, the average water depth is 1.2 meters, and the deepest point is only 2 meters. Experts believe that at this rate of shrinkage, Crescent Moon Spring will cease to exist within three years. The main reason is the large-scale exploitation of groundwater in the local area.
According to this situation, the Gansu Province and the Dunhuang Municipal Government decided to adopt the suggestions of experts
and the relevant geological and technical departments will use high-tech means to save the eternal life
Crescent Moon Spring, a scenic spot.