Geotourism potential of South Klias Peninsula, Sabah

The study area located at the Klias Peninsula consists of the Temburong Formation, Crocker Formation, Setap Shale Formation and Belait Formation. This research focus on the sedimentology of study area and to proposed geosites for geotourism potential. The sedimentology study is based on field data and the facies analysis. Geosite was evaluated to see the uniqueness based on the geological heritage value and the aesthetic value. Based on the facies analysis, the Temburong Formation was dominated by the outer lobe and basin plain facies association are interpret as outer fan and the Crocker Formation was dominantly by the channelized lobe and non-channelized lobe which is interpret as middle fan of deep marine turbidite system. The setap shale Formation consists of heterolitic sediment with some limestone lense interprate as shallow marine environment. Foraminifera analysis from the Temburong, Crocker and Setap Shale in study area consist of planktonic foraminifera range from Late Oligocene to mid Early Miocene for the Temburong Formation, late Early Miocene for the Crocker Fromation and Tea for the Setap Shale Formation which is slightly difference from the previous work. Three geosite have been identified for the geotourism potential in study area namely, Geosite 1 – Batu Luang unconformity of Setap Shale and Belait Formation, Geosite 2 – Batu Linting Hill of Crocker Formation and Geosite 3 – Tanjung Lambidan of Temburong Formation

Geotourism potential at Silam Coast Conservation Area (SCCA) Silam, Sabah

A research has been conducted at Silam Coast Conservation Area (SCCA) to evaluate the geotourism potential of the geological heritage resources. The study area is located at Silam, Lahad Datu, in the eastern part of Sabah. The SCCA and surrounding area were made up of igneous and sedimentary rocks of ultramafic, gabbro, amphibolite, basaltic dykes, plagiogranites and basaltic rocks capped by red radiolarian chert. It is also known as the Darvel Bay Ophiolite Complex which represents the ophiolitic sequence of oceanic crust that formed during Jurassic to Cretaceous around 150-80 million years ago. In SCCA area, only pillow basalt, lava basalt, chert and minor occurrence of basalt dyke were present. Mid-Miocene tectonic event deformed and uplifted the rock unit. SCCA is a coastal area which also covers few small islands namely Tabun Island and Saranga Island to the northeast of the conservation area in Darvel Bay. The geomorphology and geologic features contribute to the aesthetic values of the area that enhances the scientific values. Two potential geosites have been identified which are Tabun-Saranga islands and Pandanus-Ara beaches that hold unique features of remnant cliff, wave-cut cliff, faults, caves, stacks, tafoni, headland, pocket beach, colluvial beach deposit and remnant of raised coral colonies. Development of this geosites could lead to conservation for sustaining the geological heritage resources as well as contributing to the state’s economy and tourism industry

GEOSITE HERITAGE AND FORMATION EVOLUTION OF MAGA WATERFALL, LONG PASIA, SOUTH OF SIPITANG, SABAH

Maga Waterfall is situated in the inland of Long Pasia which is at the south of Sipitang, Sabah. The location of Air Terjun Maga is still less known by the public however, if it is promoted it has the potential to attract local and foreign tourists. An identification survey on the geosite development potential has been done in this area to establish a geological heritage in Sabah. Maga Waterfall has three tiers and streamflow on the rock surface of Meligan Formation. The rock outcrop shows clear primary structures of shallow marine depositional environment of shoreface deposit and secondary structures such as fault and joints which shaped the formation of Maga Waterfall. Apart from that, interesting morphologies made by river erosion are also present. The unique culture of local people and recreational activities could attract more visitors to this geosite. Conservation efforts need to be taken to ensure the sustainability of geotourism development of geological heritage resources in this area

Geochemical characteization of sediments around Nukakatan Valley, Tambunan, Sabah

The objective of this paper is to assess the concentration and toxicity level of selected heavy metals in sediments from Nukakatan Valley, Tambunan, Sabah. In this study 13 soil samples were collected from different sampling station of river sediments and soil profiles. The determination of concentration of heavy metals in soil samples were carried out using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES) analysis. The result of analysis shows that highest concentration was copper with the average of 21.77 ppm, and followed by nickel with concentration level was 15.94 ppm. The concentration of chromium was 15.15 ppm, arsenic was 11.91 ppm and lead was 10.39 ppm. The soils samples are identified as non-polluted due to the low concentration of chromium, copper, nickel and lead but heavily polluted with arsenic when measured using Sediment Quality Guidelines of US EPA. It is concluded that the combined source of heavy metals in the study area would be the parent materials of the soils and other anthropogenic effluent