ID :
198440
Mon, 08/01/2011 - 10:11
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/198440
The shortlink copeid
RARE STROMATOLITES DISCOVERED AT MULU'S DEER CAVE
KUCHING (Sarawak, Malaysia), Aug 1 (Bernama) – The Deer Cave within Mulu National Park is famous for its huge passages and various species of bats that number in hundreds and thousands.
The cave has recently added yet another unique attraction with rare
'stromatolites' or layered sedimentary structures being discovered close to its north east entrance.
Researcher Prof. Joyce Lundberg, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Carleton University, Otttawa, Canada, expressed amazement with the freshwater stromatolites, which were probably the first of its kind in the world.
While presenting a heritage talk organised by the East Malaysia state of Sarawak Museum Department on this unique geo-biological cave formation, she also informed that these rare stromatolites were being studied.
The stromatolites in the shape of horizontal shelves and about 20 metres in length, are yet to be opened to the public.
A RECENT STRUCTURE
Although these stromatolites have developed much recently, unlike the ones found elsewhere predating to the Precambrian period where life forms were simple and small, they still hold clue to the biological activities in the cave.
While Prof. Lundberg could not say what the stromatolites indicated about the cave, she was confident that it could, among others, be used as a barometer to reflect the rainfall that the area has seen.
She said the next stage of research would determine the time since when the stromatolites have been growing, with the initial indication pointing to the period just before World War II.
"A typical two to three centimetre thick stromatolite, probably represents a timeline of about 50 years," she remarked, adding that embedded in the stromatolites were indicators like the amount of rainfall the place has seen, biological activities and fluctuations in the environment.
Stromatolites are similar to stalagmites but require organic activity, water and low light to cause the deposition of sediment layers including calcium carbonate and the activity of cyanobacteria.
It is a living structure like the coral and grows into a series of narrow shelves up the surface.
PART OF MULU WORLD HERITAGE
Prof Lundberg, who conducted the research with Prof Donald A. McFarlane from the United States, said she might go to Jamaica to do a study on stromatolites there.
"I have never seen this in Jamaica, but part of the difficulty is that if you have never seen it before, your eyes are not trained to see it," she opined.
The Deer Cave, which is part of the Unesco Mulu World Heritage Site, is also home to many species of bats, which form a spectacular sight of a black cloud emerging from the cave at dusk (in search of food).
Another feature is the famous profile of Abraham Lincoln, which guards the southern entrance of the cave, while it’s ‘Garden of Eden’ opens like a hole in the cave roof that lets in light to allow the rich green vegetation to thrive.
The cave has recently added yet another unique attraction with rare
'stromatolites' or layered sedimentary structures being discovered close to its north east entrance.
Researcher Prof. Joyce Lundberg, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Carleton University, Otttawa, Canada, expressed amazement with the freshwater stromatolites, which were probably the first of its kind in the world.
While presenting a heritage talk organised by the East Malaysia state of Sarawak Museum Department on this unique geo-biological cave formation, she also informed that these rare stromatolites were being studied.
The stromatolites in the shape of horizontal shelves and about 20 metres in length, are yet to be opened to the public.
A RECENT STRUCTURE
Although these stromatolites have developed much recently, unlike the ones found elsewhere predating to the Precambrian period where life forms were simple and small, they still hold clue to the biological activities in the cave.
While Prof. Lundberg could not say what the stromatolites indicated about the cave, she was confident that it could, among others, be used as a barometer to reflect the rainfall that the area has seen.
She said the next stage of research would determine the time since when the stromatolites have been growing, with the initial indication pointing to the period just before World War II.
"A typical two to three centimetre thick stromatolite, probably represents a timeline of about 50 years," she remarked, adding that embedded in the stromatolites were indicators like the amount of rainfall the place has seen, biological activities and fluctuations in the environment.
Stromatolites are similar to stalagmites but require organic activity, water and low light to cause the deposition of sediment layers including calcium carbonate and the activity of cyanobacteria.
It is a living structure like the coral and grows into a series of narrow shelves up the surface.
PART OF MULU WORLD HERITAGE
Prof Lundberg, who conducted the research with Prof Donald A. McFarlane from the United States, said she might go to Jamaica to do a study on stromatolites there.
"I have never seen this in Jamaica, but part of the difficulty is that if you have never seen it before, your eyes are not trained to see it," she opined.
The Deer Cave, which is part of the Unesco Mulu World Heritage Site, is also home to many species of bats, which form a spectacular sight of a black cloud emerging from the cave at dusk (in search of food).
Another feature is the famous profile of Abraham Lincoln, which guards the southern entrance of the cave, while it’s ‘Garden of Eden’ opens like a hole in the cave roof that lets in light to allow the rich green vegetation to thrive.
