Yixian Formation

The Yixian Formation is a geological structure made of alternating layers of basalt, sandstone, and siltstone stacked over significant thickness. Exposed sections throughout the area clearly show the different rock types and how they are arranged in distinct bands.

The formation was created during the early Cretaceous period and first studied by Japanese scientists in the 1930s. These early investigations established the foundation for understanding the geological significance of these ancient rock layers.

The layered rock sections visible at the site reveal different types of stone and minerals that formed under varying conditions over time. Walking through exposed areas shows how the environment changed repeatedly across these ancient deposits.

You can easily view and photograph the exposed rock sections at various locations throughout the area. Active excavation sites show how researchers work to extract and study fossils from the sedimentary layers.

The sediment layers preserve dinosaur fossils with remarkably detailed impressions of skin and feathers, occasionally showing internal structures. This exceptional preservation allows researchers to understand the appearance and biology of these animals in ways few other fossil sites provide.