We learned from the Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Geology that, at the recently held Symposium on Innovative Development of Geological Culture in Zhejiang, the Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Geology officially released the “Evaluation Standards for ‘Zhejiang Geological Wonders’” (hereinafter referred to as the “Standards”).
　　“This is the first ‘Geological Wonder’ evaluation standard in the national geological community, and also the first time the national geological community has defined ‘Geological Wonder’,” said a relevant official from the Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Geology on that day.
　　Zhejiang is a province rich in geological and cultural resources. Since 2001, the province’s geological teams have carried out more than 100 surveys and assessments of geological cultural resources, identifying a total of 2,936 geological cultural resource sites, including 12 sites of global significance and 270 sites of national significance. Against the backdrop of Zhejiang Province’s proposal last year to “promote innovative development of distinctive geological culture, using geological environments and other elements as carriers,” the formulation of this standard aims to foster new forms and models of geological tourism, thereby supporting rural revitalization and the construction of demonstration zones for common prosperity. This is precisely the original intention behind the Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Geology’s release of this standard.
　　According to the definition in the “Standards,” a “geological wonder” is a remarkable geological feature—often singular and spectacular—that has emerged on Earth’s surface over an extended geological history through complex natural processes. Such wonders typically possess outstanding aesthetic appeal, significant geoscientific research value, and considerable educational and outreach potential. Primarily formed by natural processes, these wonders may also incorporate certain cultural and humanistic elements. They generally include a wide variety of types, such as moving rocks, cliff faces, natural bridges, jointed stone columns, potholes, peaks, narrow sky passages, stone waves, caves, canyons, dragon-back ridges, waterfalls, artesian springs, coastal landforms, and quarry caverns.
　　It is reported that the “Standard” clearly defines five evaluation indicators: aesthetic value as a geological wonder, geoscientific research value, popular science and education value, cultural and humanistic value, and potential for development and utilization. On this basis, detailed evaluation criteria have been formulated. The evaluation is guided by emphasizing uniqueness, rarity, and grandeur, with scores assigned on a 100-point scale: 50 points for aesthetic value, 25 points for geoscientific research value, and 25 points for popular science and education value. Meanwhile, cultural and humanistic value is taken into account as an additional bonus item worth 10 points, bringing the total score to 100 + 10 (bonus item) points. The “Standard” further refines the primary indicators and specifies the corresponding secondary indicators along with their respective scoring values.
　　It is understood that the Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Geology will further showcase a batch of “Zhejiang Geological Wonders,” further expanding channels for disseminating geological culture and effectively promoting and showcasing Zhejiang’s distinctive geological cultural resources. At the same time, efforts will be stepped up to transform and utilize these geological wonders, developing more geologically-based ecological products and fostering new forms of geological tourism. This will help boost rural revitalization and common prosperity, attract greater participation and attention from all sectors of society, and ensure that geological culture becomes accessible to ordinary people.