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Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark
Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark
1. Introduction
Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark is located in the far north-western corner of peninsular Malaysia. Located in the northern State of Kedah, it is unique in the sense that it was formed on 99 islands that together made up the legendary Langkawi Archipelago. The natural landscape of Langkawi is a combination between highly vegetated hills of rainforest and some rather barren rocks.
The Geopark has the best-exposed and most complete Palaeozoic sedimentary sequence in Malaysia, from the Cambrian to the Permian period. Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark was part of Sibumasu Block. During Early Permian, the Sibumasu Block broke out from Gondwanaland, rifting northward and collided with the East Malaya-Indochina Block to form the Southeast Asian mainland. Later, during the Mesozoic, the islands underwent a major tectonic event that resulted in the emplacement of its numerous granitic rocks. At the same time, the entire Peninsular Malaysia was uplifted, including the Langkawi islands. Much of the geological development was somewhat linked to what had happened in the old supercontinent Pangea and southern hemispheric Gondwanaland since more than 550 million years ago. What we have in Langkawi today is the combined result of these various processes and the ongoing weathering process that has taken place since the Langkawi land was brought to the surface around 220 million years ago.
Geodiversity and biodiversity are preserved in Machinchang Cambrian Geoforest Park, Kilim Karst Geoforest Park and Dayang Bunting Marble Geoforest Park. These geoforest parks also protect biodiversity in diverse habitats including mangroves, tidal flats, beaches, estuaries, coral reefs, caves, limestone and many more harbours for various life forms.
Located along the Straits of Malacca, famous as an historical trade route in South East Asia, Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark has accumulated numerous legends, myths and historical connections with the surrounding area. This heritage, combined with the traditional fishing and farming village, adds charm to the local culture. To maximize the experience with natural and cultural heritage, accommodation and facilities are available in this geopark to suit visitors.
Geodiversity and biodiversity are preserved in Machinchang Cambrian Geoforest Park, Kilim Karst Geoforest Park and Dayang Bunting Marble Geoforest Park. These geoforest parks also protect biodiversity in diverse habitats including mangroves, tidal flats, beaches, estuaries, coral reefs, caves, limestone and many more harbours for various life forms.
Located along the Straits of Malacca, famous as an historical trade route in South East Asia, Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark has accumulated numerous legends, myths and historical connections with the surrounding area. This heritage, combined with the traditional fishing and farming village, adds charm to the local culture. To maximize the experience with natural and cultural heritage, accommodation and facilities are available in this geopark to suit visitors.
The educational and awareness programs of the Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark were enhanced by the Geopark School and Geopark Community Program. Geopark Clubs have been established at the schools in Langkawi as a medium to disseminate information and center activities. The Langkawi Geopark Management Plan established guidelines for the management of Langkawi’s natural & cultural heritage using a sustainable development approach which is anchored on the principles of social equity, economic efficiency and ecological sustainability.
2. Geological history of Langkawi
Langkawi archipelago boasts the oldest and most complete Palaeozoic (540 million to 250 million years ago) geological record in the region. Since the early Cambrian period, Langkawi has undergone various geological processes, within different environments, resulting in numerous types of sedimentary rocks with interesting and unique structures, and containing a likewise variegated assortment of fossil types.
The first major depositional event took place in a shallow marine deltaic and fluvio-marine environment believed to be what was once part of the continental shelf of the supercontinent Gondwanaland. This deposition, dominated by sandstones, is known as the Machinchang Formation. Following these deltaic deposits there was a period of marine transgression that caused the deposition of calcium carbonate rich sediments. These lithified into shallow to deep marine limestones, Setul’s Lower Detrital Member, during the Ordovician and Silurian. This was followed by marine regression, seen today in the Upper Detrital Member, which shows shallow marine limestones. There was then a short period of no deposition in the Middle Devonian, followed by the deposition of the basal redbeds, then mud and siltstones of the Singa Formation.
Machinchang Formation
These all show the influence of polar glaciation and melting with the appearance of dropstones and cold-water fossils. During the Permian, Langkawi and its Sibumasu Terrane broke away from Gondwanaland and drifted north to warmer latitudes, which led to the deposition of the tropical Chuping Limestone.
The Sibumasu Terrane drifted until it collided with Indochina, causing the deposited and lithified sedimentary rocks to be subject to major tectonic movement, resulting in faults and folds throughout the region. Concurrently, magma was emplaced in various granite bodies. This tectonic episode, through uplift, brought Langkawi to surface from beneath the ocean, resulting in the rocks undergoing continuous erosion, creating the unique geological landscape we see today.
3. Geoforest parks
In 2007, Langkawi was awarded UNESCO Global Geopark status, the first Global Geopark in Southeast Asia, and is one of only 147 worldwide to date. Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark comprises Machinchang Cambrian Geoforest Park, Kilim Karst Geoforest Park, Dayang Bunting Marble Geoforest Park, and Kubang Badak BioGeo Trail.
Kilim Karst Geoforest Park
Located in the east of Langkawi is the largest of the three main parks, Kilim Karst Geoforest Park, named after the river that runs through it, and the rock strata that predominate. The park is dominated by mangrove forests and picturesque karstic formations created through the dissolution and erosion of the limestone from the Setul Formation, which have produced numerous sea stacks, sea arches and pinnacles. The mangrove forests have created an environment for several rare species of flora and fauna such as the limestone cycad, which grows on vertical cliff faces, bright yellow sea hibiscus, and the iconic brahminy kite and sea eagle.
Attractions/Geosites to Visit:
Pulau Anak Tikus Fossil, Kilim Pinnacles & Karsts, Kisap Fault
Machinchang Cambrian Geoforest Park
Machinchang Cambrian Geoforest Park, located in the northwest of Langkawi Island, is home to remarkable geological and biological assets, from a breathtaking mountain environment shaped by prolonged erosion and weathering creating barren peaks, vertical cliffs, crested ridges, narrow gorges and waterfalls, to its abundant and exotic flora and fauna, such as unique climbing bamboo or the majestic great hornbill which resides high up in the forest canopy, and can be viewed amidst magnificent panoramas atop the SkyBridge.
Attractions/Geosites to Visit:
Pasir Tengkorak Cross-Bedding, Machinchang Peak, Telaga Tujuh Waterfall
Dayang Bunting Marble Geoforest Park
Dayang Bunting Marble Geoforest Park is a five minute boat ride south from Langkawi’s main port. The island is named after its iconic lake, Dayang Bunting, or Lake of the Pregnant Maiden, as the contour of the hills along one side resembles a pregnant maiden. Over time, legends were spun, and it was said that drinking the lake water helped women with infertility. The lake itself was created by a large cave collapsing due to erosion resulting in loss of structural integrity. The island is characterised by a large thrust fault that runs north to south that has uplifted the older Setul limestone alongside the younger Chuping limestone, which gives the island impressive sea stacks, caves and sea arch formations.
Attractions/Geosites to Visit:
Pulau Ular, Pulau Tuba Sill, Pulau Singa Kechil Plateau
Kampung Kubang Badak
Kampung Kubang Badak is a unique tidal river estuary ecosystem full of geological diversity, pristine mangroves and a distinctive cultural history with the early settlement of the Thai community. The BioGeoTrail is a strategic partnership project between the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA), Langkawi Research Centre (PPL) and Sungai Kubang Badak Langkawi Limited. The objective is to create a sustainable new geo-tourism product for locals and foreign tourists to enjoy.
Attractions/Geosites to Visit:
Pulau Kubang Badak, Kampung Siam & Siam River, Pulau Jemuruk
Source: http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/environment/earth-sciences/unesco-global-geoparks/list-of-unesco-global-geoparks/malaysia/langkawi/
https://langkawigeopark.com.my/