Research on conditions of resources and environment and major geological problems in the Yangtze River Economic Zone

The previous geological research work in the Yangtze River Economic Zone is systematically summed up and arranged in this paper. Resources and environment conditions and major geological problems which have aroused much attention in the construction and the territorial planning in the Yangtze River Economic Zone are studied. The research results show that the resource conditions of cultivated land, shale gas, geothermal resources, llithium etc. are very favorable in the Yangtze River Economic Zone:30 million hm² farmlands without heavy metal pollution exhibit concentrated distribution; there are three national shale gas exploration and development bases with explored reserves of 544.1 billion cubic meters; available geothermal resources amount to 240 million tons of standard coal per year, equivalent to 19% of the amount of coal consumption in 2014; the largest energy lithium metal ore deposit in Asia was found; resources and environment conditions are favorable for the development of modern agriculture industry, clean energy and strategic emerging industries. Nevertheless, in some parts of the Yangtze River Economic Zone, there exist some major geological problems such as active faults, karst collapse, ground subsidence, and landslide-collapse-debris flow, which affect the river-crossing channels, high-speed railway, urban groups and green ecological corridor planning and construction. The authors point out that these problems deserve much attention. For this, the relevant suggestions and countermeasures are put forward. At the same time, the paper puts forward the idea of further supporting the development of the Yangtze River Economic Zone.