Lake Tai: Difference between revisions
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'''Lake Tai''', or '''Tai Lake''' ({{zh|c=太湖 |p=Tài Hú}}; literally ''"Grand Lake"'') or '''Lake Taihu''', is a large [[lake]] in the [[Yangtze Delta]] plain, on the border of the [[Jiangsu]] and [[Zhejiang]] provinces [[East China|Eastern China]]. The waters of the lake belong to the former in its entirety with part of its southern shore forming the boundary between the two provinces. With an area of 2,250 km² and an average depth of 2 metres,<ref>http://www.szkp.org.cn/suzhoudili/szdl/200606/06634333.htm {{zh icon}}</ref> it is the third largest freshwater lake in [[China]], after [[Poyang Lake|Poyang]] and [[Dongting Lake]]s. The lake houses about 90 islands, ranging in size from a few square meters to several square miles. |
'''Lake Tai''', or '''Tai Lake''' ({{zh|c=太湖 |p=Tài Hú}}; literally ''"Grand Lake"'') or '''Lake Taihu''', is a large [[lake]] in the [[Yangtze Delta]] plain, on the border of the [[Jiangsu]] and [[Zhejiang]] provinces [[East China|Eastern China]]. The waters of the lake belong to the former in its entirety with part of its southern shore forming the boundary between the two provinces. With an area of 2,250 km² and an average depth of 2 metres,<ref>http://www.szkp.org.cn/suzhoudili/szdl/200606/06634333.htm {{zh icon}}</ref> it is the third largest freshwater lake in [[China]], after [[Poyang Lake|Poyang]] and [[Dongting Lake]]s. The lake houses about 90 islands, ranging in size from a few square meters to several square miles. |
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Lake Tai is linked to the renowned [[Grand Canal of China|Grand Canal]] |
Lake Tai is linked to the renowned [[Grand Canal of China|Grand Canal]] and is the origin of a number of rivers, including [[Suzhou Creek]]. In recent years, Lake Tai has been plagued by pollution as a result of rapid economic growth in the surrounding region. |
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==Formation== |
==Formation== |
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Revision as of 16:19, 8 February 2012
| Lake Tai | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 31°10′N 120°09′E / 31.167°N 120.150°E |
| Basin countries |  People's Republic of China |
| Surface area | 2,250 km2 (870 sq mi) |
| Average depth | 2 m (6.6 ft) |
| Islands | 90 |
| Settlements | Huzhou, Suzhou, Wuxi |
Lake Tai, or Tai Lake (Chinese: 太湖; pinyin: Tài Hú; literally "Grand Lake") or Lake Taihu, is a large lake in the Yangtze Delta plain, on the border of the Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces Eastern China. The waters of the lake belong to the former in its entirety with part of its southern shore forming the boundary between the two provinces. With an area of 2,250 km² and an average depth of 2 metres,[1] it is the third largest freshwater lake in China, after Poyang and Dongting Lakes. The lake houses about 90 islands, ranging in size from a few square meters to several square miles.
Lake Tai is linked to the renowned Grand Canal and is the origin of a number of rivers, including Suzhou Creek. In recent years, Lake Tai has been plagued by pollution as a result of rapid economic growth in the surrounding region.
Formation
Scientific studies suggest that Lake Tai's circular structure is the result of a meteor impact based on the discovery of shatter cones, shock metamorphosed quartz, microtektites, and shock metamorphic unloading fractures.[2] Recent science has dated the possible impact crater to be greater than 70 million years old and possibly from the Late Devonian Period.[2] Fossils indicate that Lake Tai was dry land until the ingression of the East China Sea during the Holocene epoch. The growing deltas of the Yangtze and Qiantang rivers eventually sealed off Lake Tai from the sea, and the influx of fresh water from rivers and rains turned Lake Tai into a freshwater lake.
Scenic locations
The lake is renowned for its unique limestone formations. These Chinese scholar's rocks are often prized as a decorating material for the traditional Chinese garden, especially in areas such as Suzhou.
According to many guidebooks, Lake Tai is best seen from the scenic viewpoint in Xihui Park (錫惠公園) in the west of Wuxi (無錫), from the top of Dragon Light Pagoda (龍光塔 Lóng Guāng Tǎ), from which both Wuxi and Lake Tai are visible. Another well-known panoramic view is from Longshan (Mt Long), where the famous ancient poet Su Shi (1037–1101) once wrote a poem.
Three of the lake's islands are known as the Sanshan Islands ('three hill islands'), one of the Chinese National Geological Parks. It was a notable haunt of bandits.
One of the best locations to view the lake is Xihui Park in the west of Wuxi. By climbing the summit of Dragon Light Pagoda (Longguang Pagoda) inside the park, you will get a bird's eye view of the city and the lake. Mei Yuan is also located in Lake Tai.
Yuantouzhu (Turtle Head Isle) is another prominent region for tourists. It received this title because its outline resembles a turtle head. The region gained its fame in the early 20th century and it contains more than ten scenic sites for visit.
Business and industry
The lake is also known for its productive fishing industry, and is often occupied by fleets of small private fishing boats.[3] Since the late 1970s, harvesting seafood products such as fish and crabs has been invaluable to people living along the lake and has contributed significantly to the economy of the surrounding area.
The Lake is home a ceramic production industry that is very extensive. Also the lake is home to the Ishing pottery factory which makes tea pots of world renown.
Ferris wheel
Completed in 2008, Star of Lake Tai is a 115-metre (377 ft) tall giant Ferris wheel. It takes 18 minutes to complete one revolution. Passengers can enjoy the scenery of Lake Tai and the city center. At night, lighting effects are switched on around the wheel.[citation needed]
Pollution
In May 2007, the lake was overtaken by a major algae bloom and by major pollution with cyanobacteria.[4] The Chinese government called the lake a major natural disaster despite the anthropogenic origin of this environmental catastrophe. With the average price of bottled water rising to six times the normal rate, the government banned all regional water providers from implementing price hikes.[5] The lake provides water to 30 million residents, including about one million in Wuxi.[6] By October 2007 it was reported that the Chinese government had shut down or given notice to over 1,300 factories around the lake. However, Wu Lihong, one of the leading environmentalists who had been publicizing the pollution of the lake, was sentenced to three years in prison for alleged extortion of one of the polluters,[4] but, undeterred, alleged in 2010 that not a single factory was closed.[7] Jiangsu province planned to clean up the lake,[8] and chaired by Wen Jiabao the State Council set a target to clean Lake Tai by 2012.[9] However, in 2010 The Economist reported that a fresh pollution outbreak had occurred, and that Wu, released from prison in April, was claiming that the government was trying to suppress news of it, all the while switching to other supplies in place of lake water.[10]
References
- ^ http://www.szkp.org.cn/suzhoudili/szdl/200606/06634333.htm Template:Zh icon
- ^ a b Wang, Erkang (2002). "Discovery and implication of shock metamorphic unloading microfractures in Devonian bedrock of Taihu Lake". Science in China Series D: Earth Sciences. 45 (5).
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) Cite error: The named reference "types" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page). - ^ Barrett, Rick. China offers open waters. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Feb. 3, 2007
- ^ a b Joseph Kahn, In China, a Lake’s Champion Imperils Himself, International Herald Tribune, October 13, 2007
- ^ "Algae smother Chinese lake, millions panic". MSNBC. 2007-05-31.
- ^ "China's third-largest freshwater lake faces algae threat". China Daily. April 14, 2008. Retrieved 08-04-20.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ Tagesschau, Umweltschützer in China - Der unbeugsame Herr Wu, 2010-05-18
- ^ China to clean up polluted lake. BBC News: October 27, 2007
- ^ "Across China: Beijing". China Daily. April 4, 2008. Retrieved 08-04-20.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ The Economist, 7 August 2010 p 49.
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