Geoheritage resources of the Baliajong River: Potential for geotourism development

702001-100473-271-B
Author : Joanes Muda & Felix Tongkul
Publication : Bulletin of the Geological Society of Malaysia
Page : 139-145
Volume Number : 54
Year : 2008
DOI : https://doi.org/10.7186/bgsm54200821

Bulletin of the Geological Society of Malaysia, Volume 54, November 2008, pp. 139 – 145

 

Geoheritage resources of the Baliajong River: Potential for geotourism development

Joanes Muda1 & Felix Tongkul2

1Minerals and Geoscience Department Malaysia, Locked Bag 2042, 88999 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

2School of Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Locked Bag 2073, 88999 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

Abstract— Study carried out in the Baliajong River has revealed a hidden trove of rich geological heritage. The river is located about 3 km northeast of Tandek Town in the Kota Marudu District, Northern Sabah. The prominent geological heritage of the area is an ancient oceanic crust of Lower Cretaceous to Paleocene age exposed along the Baliajong River. The ancient oceanic crust comprises predominantly of basalts and associated igneous and sedimentary rocks and forms the basement rock of northern Sabah. These rocks form part of an ophiolite, a slice of the sea floor that was uplifted to the surface during mountain building process. Besides the ancient oceanic crust, the other interesting features of this site are the various geomorphological features such as a periodic subterranean stream that forms a cave, waterfalls, U and V-shaped river valleys and the active geomorphological processes that still shape the area. The Baliajong River is also rich in mining history where manganese was mined in the early 20th century. Remains of railway that was used to transport the manganese ores could still be found. The area is also rich in biodiversity and the riparian forest is still intact. The Baliajong River which is rich in geodiversity, biodiversity and history could be promoted as a geotourism destination. The spin-offs from the geotourism development could benefit the locals and that would encourage them to conserve the geoheritage resources in the area.

Keywords: geoheritage, geodiversity, geoconservation, geotourism, sustainable development

Sumber warisan geologi di Sungai Baliajong: Potensi untuk pembangunan geopelancongan

Abstrak— Kajian yang dijalankan di Sungai Baliajong telah mendedahkan sumber warisan geologi yang tersembunyi. Sungai itu terletak 3 km di timurlaut Pekan Tandek dalam Daerah Kota Marudu, Utara Sabah. Warisan geologi yang ketara di kawasan itu adalah kerak lautan kuno berusia Kapur Bawah hingga Paleosen yang tersingkap di sepanjang Sungai Baliajong. Kerak lautan kuno itu terdiri sebahagian besar dari basalt dan batuan igneus berasosiasi dengan batuan sedimen yang membentuk batuan dasar utara Sabah. Batuan ini merupakan sebahagian daripada ofiolit, iaitu sekeping batuan dasar laut yang terangkat ke permukaan semasa pembentukan pergunungan. Selain dari kerak lautan kuno, fitur lain yang menarik di kawasan itu adalah pelbagai fitur geomorfologi seperti sungai bawah tanah berkala yang membentuk gua, air terjun, lurah sungai yang berbentuk U dan V dan proses-proses aktif geomorfologi yang masih mencorak kawasan itu. Sungai Baliajong juga kaya dengan sejarah perlombongan dimana mangan dilombong pada awal kurun ke-20. Tinggalan landasan keretapi yang digunakan untuk mengangkut bijih mangan juga masih boleh ditemui. Kawasan itu juga kaya dengan kepelbagaian biologi dan hutan tepi sungai masih tidak terganggu. Sungai Baliajong yang kaya dengan kepelbagaian geologi, biologi dan sejarah boleh dimajukan sebagai destinasi geopelancongan. Hasil sampingan daripada pembangunan geopelancongan mampu menguntungkan penduduk tempatan dan keadaan itu akan menggalakkan mereka memulihara sumber warisan geologi di kawasan itu.

https://doi.org/10.7186/bgsm54200821


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