Ke-er Jian coal field (Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region)

The Ke-er Jian coal field is located in the transition zone of the Tian Shan Mountains and the Turfan Depression in a hilly, desert-like environment.

Satellite image of Ker-er Jian coal field. Landsat TM: band 4 (red), band 3 (green), band 5 (blue)). Location: latitude 43°0' to 44°2, longitude 88°0 to 88°5', Source: DMT field report, 2002, unpublished

The coal bearing strata of thisd area belongs to the Lower Jurassic Ba Dao and the Middle Jurassic Xi Shan Yao Formation. Similar to the Tielieke coal field, coal bearing sediments were deposited in a fluvial/lacustrine environment on the Asian Continental Block north of the Tethys Ocean.

The geological strata of the Ke-er Jian area are strongly folded and faulted. Tectonically, a northern anticline and a southern syncline can be subdivided. The outcropping rocks of the coal field are strongly weathered.

Three main coal layers are affected by several coal fires in this area.