1st July 2006 (Contributed by Anthony Yeo)
Led by Govarthanan
Gangatharan (Govan), some 15 students from the Geography Club of SMK Chung Hua,
Miri participated in a field trip to learn the geological features of the Miri
Airport Road outcrop on July 1st, 2006. The students were accompanied by their
teachers Puan Yeoh, Encik Robert.
The participants were introduced to:
- a basic understanding of rock types
- the layering concept of geology
- an awareness of faults and their causes
- how rocks are dated and a
knowledge of the age of the Miri Formation
- understanding the role of the
outcrop in Miri's Oil history
The field trip coincided with a project
that the Geography students were preparing. There were positive interactions
and discussions between the participants and the excursion leaders on the
geology of the outcrop, with the students displaying interest in the subject
matter that were brought up.
The Outcrop is about two kilometers from
the town center along the way to Miri Airport. It offers one of the most
outstanding geological exposures in the region. In particular, it has been
hailed by some as one of the best outcrops in the world for the observation of
faults in three dimensions. Many geological field trips to the site have been
made by the various petroleum companies operating in the area. In addition, the
site has attracted scholars from Universities both in the region and from
Europe. Its location on one of the highest points in Miri town also offers
visitors a panoramic view of the city and its surroundings. In pursuing
logistics aspects, linkage to development aspirations of the community and the
Government have been a key area of focus as is maintenance of the outcrop over
time.
Miri happens to be the site of Malaysia's first commercial
oilfield, discovered in 1910. Its wide range of distinguishing geological
exposures are enough to satiate the tastes of both technical professions as
well as casual nature lovers.
The Miri Council has been very supportive
of this initiative and has requested the Miri Tourism Board to work together
with the group to help promote the site as one of Miri's touristic
destinations.
The Miri Outcrop Museum Group consists of volunteers keen
in the preservation of natural exposures as permanent geological exhibits that
also support educational and eco-/geo-tourism efforts. The group was set up in
1998 with the objectives to :
· Preserve key geological outcrops in
and around Miri
· Make these easily accessible & provide
appropriate information
· Encourage educational tours for schools,
tourists, public
· Work with appropriate bodies (MMC) for
sustainability
· Link with tour operators, added attractions for
Miri
· Link with institutes of higher learning.
It is the
Group's hope that more schools will take up the opportunity to explore the
geology in their backyards. For further information, please contact :
Govan
085-452073 (Office) or Sim Ko Sin (085-452513).
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Updated: 28th July 2006
