KARST OF SUMALELEN

Location

South East of Misool

Coordinate

01o58’04.6”S and 130o28’13.3” BT ; 01o57’ 54.3”S and 130o27’28.1”E ; 01o57’48.0”S and 130o27’33.8”E

Characteristics

Rock association, geological process (uplift) and history, rock arts (archaeology)

VALUE :

FUNCTION :

☑ INTERNATIONAL

☑ SCIENTIFIC

☑ EDUCATIONAL

☑ AESTHETIC

RA-28


Geology

Culture

Tourism

Karst landscapes at and prehistoric art work in Sumalelen area

At coordinates 01o58’04.6”S and 130o28’13.3” BT ; 01o57’ 54.3”S and 130o27’28.1”E ; 01o57’48.0”S and 130o27’33.8”E, limestones of the Zaag Formation in Sumalelen area experiences faulted and jointed intensively. Tens of meters of steep cliffs in many small islands are at fault as well as joint planes. This geological structure also facilitates dissolution, so karstification takes place without a hitch. Limestone hills are generally conical in shape and have a rounded surface (sinusoids). Some of the steep limestone walls are galleries of rock art made by a prehistoric man who lived in this area. Pictures or paintings using red-colored materials have many themes, such as palm prints made with the spray technique, fish, dolphins, and certain symbols. Rock paintings are not only depicted on cliffs, but also in dissolving cavities along the escarpment.

Batu gamping yang termasuk dalam jenis Batu gamping Zaag di daerah Sumalelen ini mengalami pensesaran dan pengkekaran yang cukup kuat. Tebing-tebing curam setinggi belasan hingga puluhan meter di pinggiran pulau-pulau kecil merupakan bidang struktur geologi. Struktur geologi inipun memfasilitasi pelarutan, sehingga karstifikasi berlangsung tanpa hambatan. Bukit-bukit Batu gamping umumnya berbangun kerucut dan berpermukaan membulat (sinusoida). Pada sebagian dinding terjal Batu gamping ini terdapat galeri gambar cadas yang dibuat oleh manusia prasejarah dimana diperkirakan pernah hidup di daerah ini. Gambar atau lukisan yang menggunakan bahan berwarna merah hati tersebut mempunyai banyak tema, seperti cap telapak tangan yang dibuat dengan teknik sembur, ikan, lumba-lumba, dan simbol-simbol tertentu. Gambar cadas tidak hanya dilukiskan di tebing batuan, tetapi juga di dalam rongga-rongga pelarutan di sepanjang gawir.

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