Leizhou Peninsula

The Leizhou Peninsula is a significant landform located in South China.

It sits in the southernmost part of Guangdong province. This area is officially recognized as the third largest peninsula in China. To its west lies the Gulf of Tonkin. To the south, the Qiongzhou Strait separates the peninsula from Hainan Island. This strait is approximately 30 km wide.

The geology of the peninsula is shaped by volcanic and marine processes. Basalt terraces make up about 43% of the total land area. Basalt is a dark volcanic rock. The remaining land consists of marine terraces, which cover 27%. Alluvial plains, or flat areas formed by river deposits, account for 17% of the landscape. The peninsula also features low-lying diluvial plains and various beaches.

Volcanic activity has created distinct geological features across the region. There are two primary volcanic fields on the peninsula. The first is a Pleistocene–Holocene field at the northern end. This field is located west of Zhanjiang and is known as Leibei Huoshanqun. The second is the northern end of the Qionglei or Leiqiong volcanic field. This field actually extends across the strait into northern Hainan. A third volcanic field is responsible for several offshore islands known as Huoshanyan Daoyu.

These volcanic structures formed due to specific movements in the Earth's crust. The volcanoes derive from tectonic extension. This means the lithosphere, or the Earth's outer shell, underwent thinning. This process was connected to the creation of the South China Sea basin. Within the center of the peninsula, two specific Pleistocene-era basaltic stratovolcanoes exist. These are named Yingfengling and Tianyang. A stratovolcano is a tall volcano built up by many layers of hardened lava and ash.

The climate of the Leizhou Peninsula is humid and subtropical. The weather patterns are influenced by several different wind systems. Continental northeastern monsoons affect the region. At the same time, maritime southeastern and southwestern monsoons also play a role. These seasonal winds bring moisture to the area. Occasionally, typhoons occur, coming from either the Pacific Ocean or the South China Sea.

The waters surrounding the peninsula are vital habitats for many marine species. Leizhou Bay is a sanctuary for Chinese white dolphins. This area contains the second largest population of these dolphins in China. The Hepu National Sanctuary of Dugongs was also created to the west. This sanctuary protects endangered marine mammals like the dugong. Other animals, such as minke whales, whale sharks, and Bryde's whales, inhabit the nearby waters. These species can be found near the Tieshangang District and the islands of Weizhou and Xieyang.

Historically, the peninsula has seen significant changes in its maritime environment. In the past, large whales like blue whales and humpback whales visited these waters. They would often come to the area during the winter and spring to calve. Calving is when whales give birth. Unfortunately, these giants were heavily hunted by Japanese whalers. These whalers established stations along the coasts of China and Korea, including on Hainan Island.

Human settlement and trade have also defined the peninsula's history. The cities of the Leizhou Peninsula were once very welcoming to international trade. Zhanjiang is the largest city on the peninsula by both area and population. It serves as an important port city. A part of Zhanjiang, known as Kouang Tchéou Wan, was formerly a French colony. As of 2015, the total population of the peninsula was 5,694,245 people.