The general geology of the Niah Caves Area, Sarawak

Mani Banda, Richard and Heward Chinta, Freddie and Ambun, Unya The general geology of the Niah Caves Area, Sarawak. In: Geological heritage of Malaysia: geoheritage conservation (1997-2009). Institut Alam Sekitar dan Pembangunan (LESTARI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, pp. 115-132. ISBN 9789675227370

Soon after the cave was first excavated in 1954 by the Sarawak Museum, the Niah Caves area, located in the northern part of Sarawak, had been the centre of tourist attraction since reported as an archaeological site where early mankind first settled in the region. The (cave) area has also beautiful geological formations such as karst topography and the great cave system (developed) within the limestone formation; enveloped by thick, green tropical forest hosting many species of flora and fauna. Tourism in the cave area would be further enhanced if these natural components are developed simultaneously with the existing archaeological heritage of the cave. Thus, the Niah Caves area had been identified as a potential site for the development of an ecotourism (geotourism) industry in the country, is prioritized for detailed geological investigation under the IRPA Project and is undertaken jointly by the department with the Institute for Environment and Development, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia at Bangi since 1997. The Niah Caves area is underlain by the limestone formation named the Subis Limestone Member of the Sibuti Formation; surrounded by a country rock formation that consists mainly of alternations of shale and sandstone. Niah Great Cave is the name given to the great cave developed in the limestone formation and estimated to cover an area of 600 m width and extends about 900 m. number It consists of many chambers connected by many small passages. There are also a great of interesting geological features within the great cave, namely the bedding plane controlled roof, vertical and horizontal grooves, scalloped surfaces, and many others such as various shapes of floor and roof cavities. The floor of the cave is covered mainly by guano, but in most passages, the floors are overlain by boulders of limestone and clayey deposits. Relics of early human inhabitation such as paintings on the wall and the boat remains were observed. Based on the fossil content, the limestone formation was developed during early Miocene, estimated to be 15 years ago. However, later on the caves were developed within the limestone formation in a subaqueous condition during the mid Pleistocene, estimated at 1 million year ago. The caves were fully developed when the water level dropped by about 150 m to the present level.

Full text available from:

Abstract

Soon after the cave was first excavated in 1954 by the Sarawak Museum, the Niah Caves area, located in the northern part of Sarawak, had been the centre of tourist attraction since reported as an archaeological site where early mankind first settled in the region. The (cave) area has also beautiful geological formations such as karst topography and the great cave system (developed) within the limestone formation; enveloped by thick, green tropical forest hosting many species of flora and fauna. Tourism in the cave area would be further enhanced if these natural components are developed simultaneously with the existing archaeological heritage of the cave. Thus, the Niah Caves area had been identified as a potential site for the development of an ecotourism (geotourism) industry in the country, is prioritized for detailed geological investigation under the IRPA Project and is undertaken jointly by the department with the Institute for Environment and Development, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia at Bangi since 1997. The Niah Caves area is underlain by the limestone formation named the Subis Limestone Member of the Sibuti Formation; surrounded by a country rock formation that consists mainly of alternations of shale and sandstone. Niah Great Cave is the name given to the great cave developed in the limestone formation and estimated to cover an area of 600 m width and extends about 900 m. number It consists of many chambers connected by many small passages. There are also a great of interesting geological features within the great cave, namely the bedding plane controlled roof, vertical and horizontal grooves, scalloped surfaces, and many others such as various shapes of floor and roof cavities. The floor of the cave is covered mainly by guano, but in most passages, the floors are overlain by boulders of limestone and clayey deposits. Relics of early human inhabitation such as paintings on the wall and the boat remains were observed. Based on the fossil content, the limestone formation was developed during early Miocene, estimated to be 15 years ago. However, later on the caves were developed within the limestone formation in a subaqueous condition during the mid Pleistocene, estimated at 1 million year ago. The caves were fully developed when the water level dropped by about 150 m to the present level.

[error in script]

Item Type:	Book Section
Additional Information:	Available at Perpustakaan Sultan Abdul Samad, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43000 UPM Serdang, Malaysia. QE299.5 G345 Call Number
AGROVOC Term:	caves
AGROVOC Term:	geology
AGROVOC Term:	geological surveys
AGROVOC Term:	environmental impact assessment
AGROVOC Term:	geologists
AGROVOC Term:	preservation
AGROVOC Term:	tourism
AGROVOC Term:	educational resources
Geographical Term:	Malaysia
Depositing User:	Ms. Azariah Hashim
Date Deposited:	02 Dec 2024 09:02
Last Modified:	02 Dec 2024 09:02
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/1004

Actions (login required)

View Item