Photo shows the Early Cretaceous rhyolitic columnar rock formation visible on the Ninepin Group in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. (Photo provided to China News Service)

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department announced on Oct. 22, 2022 that the Early Cretaceous rhyolitic columnar rock formation located in Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark had been selected as one of the First 100 International Union of Geological Sciences Geological Heritage Sites.

Hexagonal rock columns elsewhere around the world are usually composed of dark-grey basalt with low silica content, while the High Island Formation is composed of light-coloured rhyolitic volcanic rock that is rich in silica content.

Media personnel visit the Early Cretaceous rhyolitic columnar rock formation in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. (Photo: China News Service/Li Zhihua)

 

Photo shows the Early Cretaceous rhyolitic columnar rock formation and a sea arch visible on Basalt Island in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. (Photo provided to China News Service)

 

Photo shows the Early Cretaceous rhyolitic columnar rock formation visible on High Island in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. (Photo: China News Service/Li Zhihua)

 

Photo shows a cross section of the Early Cretaceous rhyolitic columnar rock formation visible on Ngan Peng Tau, North Ninepin Island in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.(Photo provided to China News Service)

 

Photo shows the Early Cretaceous rhyolitic columnar rock formation visible on High Island in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. (Photo provided to China News Service)

 

Photo shows the Early Cretaceous rhyolitic columnar rock formation and sea caves visible on Wang Chau in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. (Photo provided to China News Service)