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UTP Geological Rock Garden (GRG)

Introduction

Step into a captivating world of geological wonders as the first local university library in Malaysia proudly unveils its groundbreaking exhibition – the 3D Rocks and Minerals Display. This immersive showcase promises to transport visitors into the heart of Earth's geological treasures, merging education with innovation. With cutting-edge 3D technology, IRC, UTP takes a pioneering step to enhance learning experiences, offering an unparalleled exploration of the diverse and mesmerizing realm of rocks and minerals. This exhibit not only showcases the rich geological tapestry but also underlines the university's commitment to providing an innovative and dynamic educational environment for its students and the community at large.

Suevite (Rock 14)

Rock Type: Terrestrial and Metamorphic Rock

Age: Quaternary (1.83 million years ago)

Origin: Bukit Bunuh, Lenggong, Perak

  • Galeri Arkeologi Lembah Lenggong, Perak, and the Jabatan Warisan Negara have made a generous and thoughtful gift by donating suevite rock to UTP Geological Rock Garden. This donation significantly enriches the geological and historical significance to the garden, allowing for a deeper understanding of Malaysia’s geological past.

  • This rock was excavated from Bukit Bunuh in Lembah Lenggong geosite which holds immense international scientific importance, being the sole Quaternary-aged meteorite crater containing Suevite rocks in Southeast Asia. What makes this site truly unique is the discovery of stone tools embedded in Suevite rocks, providing concrete evidence of prehistoric civilizations dating back earlier than 1.83 million years. This remarkable achievement has led to the UNESCO declaration of Bukit Bunuh as a World Heritage Site, primarily due to its profound archaeological significance.

  • The site is now open for controlled visitation and stands as a beacon for research, geoscience studies, and public education, offering a window into our ancient human history and the impact of celestial events on Earth's geology.

  • Suevite is a brecciated rock created during a meteorite impact event, composed of a mixture of materials, including polymic lithic breccia rock, quartzite impact rock, impact sedimentary rock, impact granite rock, and quartz or metaquartz impact rock.

  • Meteorites, which are space rocks that survive their journey through Earth's atmosphere and reach the ground, played a role in the formation of suevite.

  • The discovery of suevite in Bukit Bunuh is highly significant to Malaysia heritage as it marks one of the 28 confirmed meteorite crater sites worldwide.

  • Geologically, suevite in Bukit Bunuh, Lenggong Valley, is situated between the granite bodies of Bintang Range and the Main Range. Its formation is attributed to shock metamorphism resulting from a meteorite impact around 1.83 million years ago, altering the surrounding existing rock.

Kanthan Limestone (Rock 2)

Rock Type: Sedimentary Rock

Rock Formation: Kinta Limestone

Age: Devonian - Carboniferous (420 - 299 million years ago)

Origin: Gunung Kanthan, Chemor, Perak

  • Gunung Kanthan is one of the many limestone hills in the Kinta Valley. The hill is located in Chemor, the northern part of the Kinta Valley. It is an active quarry which provides raw materials for cement plants. 
  • Both limestone and dolomite can be found in the quarry. The limestones form karst morphology e.g. caves, as well as reprecipitate to form calcite crystals.
  • The geology of Kanthan Limestone is rooted in its formation as sedimentary rock, originating from the gradual accumulation of marine sediments rich in calcium carbonate on the ancient seabed. Over millions of years, these sediments then hardened and solidified through geological processes. 
  • Geological forces, including tectonic movements and pressure, further transformed the marine sediments into solidified limestone, as showcased in the UTP Geological Rock Garden, highlighting Ipoh’s rich geological heritage.
  • Marble can come in various colors, including darker shades, due to the presence of different minerals or impurities during its formation such as organic matter. 
  • The Kanthan limestone as shown have undergoes metamorphism that involves recrystallization of the original carbonate minerals, changes in texture, and the development of foliation or layering in limestone, resulting in a more compact and often more visually appealing rock with calcite crystal.         

                                                                                                                            

Rock B11_D

Perlop Iron Ore (Rock 15)

Rock Type: Sedimentary - Iron Ore

Lithology: Dolomite with Iron Ore
Age: Lower Devonian – Middle Permian (419 – 273 million years ago)
Origin: Perlop Quarry, Koperasi Kemajuan Tanah Perak Berhad, Chemor. Perak

 
  • The features rock is called iron ore rock, due to their rich metallic iron found in the sedimentary rock mass. 
  • The ores are usually rich in iron oxides and vary in color from dark grey, bright yellow or deep purple to rusty red.
  • Ores containing very high quantities of hematite or magnetite, typically greater than about 60% iron are known as natural ore.
  • The light color appear in pink color is called dolomite.
  • This iron ore is believed to be occupying the shear zone in Kinta Valley. 
  • A pure iron ore should be highly magnetized and can be useful to attracts metal elements.
  • Look for the enchanting, shimmering metallic luster that beckons like a hidden gem.

Simpang Pulai Marble (Rock 3)

Rock Type: Metamorphic

Lithology: Marble

Formation: Kinta Limestone

Age: Devonian - Carboniferous (420 - 299 million years ago)

Origin: Simpang Pulai, Perak 

 
  • The features rock is called marble, originated from Simpang Pulai, Perak were formed from Devonian – Carboniferous period approximately 420 - 299 million years ago.
  • Marble is a type of metamorphic rock that undergoes metamorphic processes that begins with sedimentary limestone, a rock primarily composed of calcium carbonate. Over geological time, the limestone undergoes transformation due to intense heat and pressure, leading to the creation of marble.
  • The intense heat and pressure cause the minerals in the limestone, especially calcite, to undergo recrystallization. This means that the original mineral grains are reorganized and transformed into new crystals, giving rise to the characteristic interlocking structure of marble.
  • The marble exhibited here in UTP GRG inhibits white to pinkish in colour and highly crystallized. There are fractures of which in several marble boulders are filled by quartz and calcite veins which create intricate patterns within the marble.
  • Marble, renowned for its timeless elegance structures, luxurious and artistic creations. From architectural marvels to high-end flooring, countertops, and sculptures, marble's versatility widely uses across various industries
 

Rock B11_C

Sandstone and Shale Kampung Bawang (Rock 8)

Major Rock Type: Sedimentary Rock 

Lithology: Muddy Sandstone

Formation: Crocker Formation

Age: Upper Oligocene - Lower Miocene (27.8 - 15.9 million years ago)

Origin: Kampung Bawang, Tamparuli

  • This is a compacted sandstone from Crocker Formation in Sabah.  

  • The sample has very fine to fine grains of minerals, mostly accommodated by higher concentration of quartz. 

  • The term compacted is used to show that the rock had underwent burial at certain depth in the Earth, resulting into removal of the air spaces (porosity) and increasing the density of the rock. 

  • In this display, mud drapes or mud clasts are clearly visible (seen as the elongated dark grey traces, and most obvious in the left side of the display. 

  • The mud drapes indicates the rock was deposited in a tidal environment, which is part of the marine shore that was submerged and then was exposed again, due to the rise and falls of the sea. 

  • Commonly sandstone is widely used for construction industry.

References:

  1. Shafie, K. R. K., & Madon, M. (2008). Turbidite, Debrite or Something in Between: Re-Thinking the West Crocker Formation (Poster 4).

  2. Jackson, C. A. L., Zakaria, A. A., Johnson, H. D., Tongkul, F., & Crevello, P. D. (2009). Sedimentology, stratigraphic occurrence and origin of linked debrites in the West Crocker Formation (Oligo-Miocene), Sabah, NW Borneo. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 26(10), 1957-1973.

Sandstone and Shale, Kota Marudu Sabah (Rock 7)

Major Rock Type: Sedimentary Rock

Lithology: Shaly Sandstone

Formation: Crocker Formation

Age: Oligocene – Early Miocene (33.9 – 15.97 million years ago)

Origin: Kota Marudu, Sabah

 

  • This is also a sandstone, originated from Crocker Formation, Sabah.

  • The rock has lighter grey in colour, slightly metamorphosed and do not preserved mud clasts or mud drapes as the previous sample.

  • However, in the GRG of UTP , the sample preserved contact (boundary) between sandstone and mudstone. The mudstone is observed to be attached to the massive blocky sandstone.

  • The mudstone attached to this sandstone is showing flute cast structure, indicating that water had flowed on top of this rock deposition (perhaps was underneath stream/river).

  • Similar to the previous sample, this sandstone is also compacted and was subject to burial at certain depth.

  • It is dominated with quartz, feldspar, mica and few other minerals.

  • This rock is believed to be the main source of reservoir rocks for offshore Sabah oil and gas field.

References:

1.Shafie, K. R. K., & Madon, M. (2008). Turbidite, Debrite or Something in Between: Re-Thinking the West Crocker Formation (Poster 4).

2.Jackson, C. A. L., Zakaria, A. A., Johnson, H. D., Tongkul, F., & Crevello, P. D. (2009). Sedimentology, stratigraphic occurrence and origin of linked debrites in the West Crocker Formation (Oligo-Miocene), Sabah, NW Borneo. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 26(10), 1957-1973.

3.Zakaria, A. A., Johnson, H. D., Jackson, C. A. L., & Tongkul, F. (2013). Sedimentary facies analysis and depositional model of the Palaeogene West Crocker submarine fan system, NW Borneo. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 76, 283-300.

Sandstone and Shale (Rock 9a)

Major Rock Type: Sedimentary Rock

Lithology: Sandstone

Formation: Crocker Formation

Age: Oligocene – Early Miocene (33.9 – 15.97 million years ago)

Origin: Beaufort, Kota Kinabalu

Donated by: Syarikat San Min Quary Sdn. Bhd., Beaufort, Sabah

  • This is a compacted sandstone from Crocker Formation in Sabah, similar to the other sandstone samples from Croker Formation.

  • The sample has very fine to fine grains of minerals, mostly accommodated by higher concentration of quartz. 

  • The grains shape is rounded to sub-rounded and the composition of the sandstone is almost similar to quartz arenite.

  • All the sandstone from Crocker Fm. Might have gone through slight metamorphism due to emplacement of the Kinabalu igneous pluton.

  • Spherical shape sandstone known as cannon ball which is medium to coarse grained is a unique geological process where mineral rich water seeps through the porous layers and act as a kind of glue, holding these sediments together, often forming around a core. As more and more layers are deposited, the concretion builds outward like a pearl, before being exposed by erosion.  

​​​​​​​References:

1.Shafie, K. R. K., & Madon, M. (2008). Turbidite, Debrite or Something in Between: Re-Thinking the West Crocker Formation (Poster 4).

2.Jackson, C. A. L., Zakaria, A. A., Johnson, H. D., Tongkul, F., & Crevello, P. D. (2009). Sedimentology, stratigraphic occurrence and origin of linked debrites in the West Crocker Formation (Oligo-Miocene), Sabah, NW Borneo. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 26(10), 1957-1973.

3.Zakaria, A. A., Johnson, H. D., Jackson, C. A. L., & Tongkul, F. (2013). Sedimentary facies analysis and depositional model of the Palaeogene West Crocker submarine fan system, NW Borneo. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 76, 283-300.

Granodiorite (Rock 11)

Rock Type: Igneoues 

Province: Crocker Province

Age: Middle Miocene – Pliocene (13.82 – 2.58 million years ago)

Origin: CPSB Cengyap Quarry & CPSB Kapa Quarry, Sabah

  • This is a unique rock that accommodated the highest mountain in Southeast Asia, Mount Kinabalu.

  • It is known as granodiorite, a type of igneous rock (parent: granite) form from felsic (white-light coloured magma) during intrusion of the magma from the mantle.

  • Dating of the rock from has shown youngest age of the magma intrusion may take place between 8-9 Ma, although some of the other samples show slightly older age. This indicate the emplacement of Mt. Kinabalu is episodic and alternated by pulse emplacement (Cottam et.al. 2010).

  • The minerals of the rock consist of large crystals of quartz, plagioclase and potassium feldspar, and hornblende.

  • Quartz in this rock is easy to spot because of its grey colour and looks like glass.

  • It mostly resembles a speckled, salt-and-pepper rock, as its predominant minerals are black and white.

References:

1.Cottam, M. A., Hall, R., Sperber, C., Kohn, B. P., Forster, M. A., & Batt, G. E. (2013). Neogene rock uplift and erosion in northern Borneo: evidence from the Kinabalu granite, Mount Kinabalu. Journal of the Geological Society, 170(5), 805-816.

2.Cottam, M., Hall, R., Sperber, C., & Armstrong, R. (2010). Pulsed emplacement of the Mount Kinabalu granite, northern Borneo. Journal of the Geological Society, 167(1), 49-60.

Burton-Johnson, A., Macpherson, C. G., Ottley, C. J., Nowell, G. M., & Boyce, A. J. (2019). Generation of the Mt Kinabalu granite by crustal contamination of intraplate magma modelled by equilibrated major element assimilation with fractional crystallization (EME-AFC). Journal of Petrology, 60(7), 1461-1487 

Serpentinite (Rock 12a)

Rock Type: Metamorphic 

Province: Croker Range

Age: Middle Miocene – Pliocene (13.82 – 2.58 million years ago)

Lithology: Kg Polumpung Melangkap, Kota Belud, Sabah

 
  • Serpentinite is a metamorphic rock composed of one or more of the serpentine group minerals (antigorite, lizardite, and chrysotile). The fascinating green colour and banded properties make it a popular gemstone, architectural material, and ornamental stone.
  • Serpentinite (“sir-PEN-ti-nite”) is a rock whose surface resembles snakeskin due to its mottled blue-green pattern. Its green colour comes from  the mineral serpentinite.
  • Look among the boulders for the soapy feeling, quartz veins and green snake-like colour.
ROCK B11_B

Gomantong Limestone (Rock 13)

Major Rock Type: Sedimentary Rock 

Lithology: Fossilferous Limestone

Formation: Gomantong Limestone Formation

Age: Early Miocene (22 – 15.9 million years ago)

Origin: Sukau Quarry, Kinabatangan, Sabah

  • This beautiful rock display shows a younger version of the limestone from our collection, originated from Gomantong, in eastern Sabah.

  • This rock is highly fossiliferous, containing coral-dominated framestone-boundstone (one of the type of limestone). Apart from coral, the rock is also dominated with marine shell fragments/clasts (bivalves, gastropods and serpulids), and nannofossils (not visible to naked eyes).

  • Not just that, it is also made of other living organism such as foraminifera and small crabs. It is very interesting to see that a rock is made up of living organism that have become fossil! This is a good example for a good reservoir, because the body (tissue) of the organisms have been decayed, leaving only the frame of the organisms which mostly empty and not been filled with other minerals. Hence it become void spaces that can store our natural resources (ie: petroleum and gas).

  • If you have time, do visit the rock in our GRG, you will be amazed to see the fossils by yourselves.

References:

1. Noad, J. (2001). The Gomantong Limestone of eastern Borneo: a sedimentological comparison with the near-contemporaneous Luconia Province. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 175(1-4), 273-302.

2. McMonagle, L. B., Lunt, P., Wilson, M. E., Johnson, K. G., Manning, C., & Young, J. (2011). A re-assessment of age dating of fossiliferous limestones in eastern Sabah, Borneo: Implications for understanding the origins of the Indo-Pacific marine biodiversity hotspot. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 305(1-4), 28-42.

Pegmatite 2 (Rock 1d)

Major Rock Type: Igneous 

Formation: Jerai Formation

Age: Cambrian (540 - 485 million years ago)

Origin: Singkir Darat, Yan, Kedah

  

  • This rock has been extracted from the Singkir Darat Quarry in Yan, Kedah, known as pegmatite, is a fascinating geological specimen with a unique composition and structure. It was dated that the age of this rock was from Cambrian Period, approximately 540 to 485 million years ago.

  • Pegmatite is an igneous rock which has a mineral composition similar to granite. The predominant mineral constituents are quartz and feldspar, creating a beautiful interlocking of colours and textures. 

  • The quartz crystals, often translucent and colossal while the feldspar crystals exhibit a creamy white hue. These minerals are accompanied by the presence of mica minerals like muscovite and biotite, contributing their shiny, flaky appearance to the rock.

  •  The only difference is that pegmatite has larger sized minerals and these minerals can be easily observed in the pegmatite boulders.

  • Furthermore, among the mineral treasures that can be uncovered are garnet, that displays a captivating brownish-orange colour. 

  • Tourmaline can also be observed on the pegmatite with their dark-coloured, long, slender to thick prismatic and columnar crystals.

  • Pegmatite minerals grow to unusually large sizes due to the exceptionally slow cooling process during their formation, allowing crystals to reach several meters in length.

  • The presence of water-rich fluids and open spaces in host rocks also contribute to the unique large crystal sizes and diverse mineralogy found in pegmatites.

  • Mica is a group of sheet silicate minerals known for their excellent basal cleavage, allowing them to easily split into thin, flexible sheets; it is widely used in various industries for its insulating and heat-resistant properties, including applications in electronics, construction materials and cosmetics.

  • In the field, mica often presents itself as shiny, translucent to transparent, and hexagonally shaped flakes or sheets. Its reflective surfaces can catch and refract light, giving it a distinctive glistening or glittering appearance

                       

Porphyritic Granite Rock_5b

Major Rock Type: Igneous Rock

Province: Main Range Province

Age: Late Triassic (230 - 200 million years ago)

Origin: Tampin, Negeri Sembilan

  • Granite is a coarse-grained, igneous rock composed primarily of quartz, feldspar, and mica. It is one of the most abundant rocks in the Earth's crust and forms from the slow crystallization of magma beneath the Earth's surface. The word "granite" comes from the Latin word "granum," which means grain, highlighting the rock's granular texture.
  • Granite is renowned for its exceptional durability, making it a popular choice for various applications in construction and design.
  • Nestled in the heart of Tampin, Negeri Sembilan, donated by Halaman Mantap Sdn.Bhd, granite extracted from this region emerges as a unique and valuable geological masterpiece for ornamental, tabletop and tiles.
  • Granite that have been polished to a high sheen produce natural beauty that not only improves aesthetics but also adds a layer of protection, making it more resistant to stains and scratches.
  • Its trinity of minerals—quartz, providing unwavering hardness; feldspar, bestowing color and alkali richness; and mica, lending a captivating reflective quality.
  • This is due to  gradual cooling and crystallization of molten magma beneath the Earth's surface. As minerals like quartz, feldspar, and mica slowly crystallize and interlock during this cooling process, they form granite's distinctive coarse-grained texture.

Rock B11_A

Peridotite (12b)

Rock Type: Iron Ore/Ultramafic
Province: Crocker Range
Age:  Middle Miocene – Pliocene (13.82 – 2.58 million years ago)
Origin:  Kg Polumpung Melangkap, Kota Belud, Sabah

       

         

  • Peridotite, a coarse-grained ultramafic igneous rock, primarily forms through the crystallization of magma deep within the Earth's mantle and is not common to be found in surface exposure. 
  • However, peridotite can be brought to the Earth’s surface through tectonic processes like mantle upwelling at mid-ocean ridges or in ophiolite complexes. 
  • Its characteristic green to black color stems from the abundance of olivine and pyroxene minerals. Peridotite exhibits a granular texture due to its coarse crystalline structure, resulting from slow cooling and solidification of the molten rock.
  • Serpentinization, a transformative process, occurs when peridotite undergoes hydration, reacting with water to produce serpentine minerals, such as lizardite, chrysotile, and antigorite. 
  • Serpentinization not only changes the mineral composition but also influences the rock's color, turning it into shades of green. This alteration process often results in a softer, greasy feel to the peridotite.

        

References:

1. Imai, A., & Ozawa, K. (1991). Tectonic implications of the hydrated garnet peridotites near Mt Kinabalu, Sabah, East Malaysia. Journal of Southeast Asian Earth Sciences, 6(3-4), 431-445.

2. Tjia, H. D. (1988). Accretion tectonics in Sabah: Kinabalu suture and East Sabah accreted terrane.

3. Umor, M. R., Mohamad, H., Twaiq, O. A., Tan, M. M., Isahak, A., & Musta, B. (2003). Kajian petrografi dan geokimia batuan ultrabes sekitar Ranau, Sabah (IN MALAY), Petrographic and geochemical study of ultrabasic rocks in the vicinity of Ranau, Sabah.

Rock B11_B

Sandstone and Shale Angco Quarry, Tuaran Sabah_Rock 10

Rock Type: Sedimentary Rock - Sandstone

Formation: West Crocker Formation

Age: Oligocene – Early Miocene (33.9 – 15.97 million years ago)

Origin: Angco Quarry, Tuaran, Sabah

  • The features rock is called sandstone and shale, donated  by Angco Quarry. It is originated from Tuaran, Sabah and were formed from Oligocene – Early Miocene epoch approximately 33.9 – 15.97 million years ago.
  • Sandstone and shale are two distinct sedimentary rocks that form through different geological processes, each exhibiting unique characteristics.
  • Sandstone is primarily composed of sand-sized mineral, rock, or organic particles that are cemented together over millions of year. It forms in environments where there is an abundance of sand, such as deserts, beaches, or riverbeds. Sandstone is characterized by its granular texture, visible grains, and the presence of minerals like quartz, feldspar. 
  • Shale, on the other hand, is a fine-grained sedimentary rock composed primarily of clay minerals, silt-sized particles, and other minerals. It forms in depositional environments where fine-grained sediments accumulate, such as lake bottoms or deep ocean floors. Shale is characterized by its fissility, meaning it easily splits into thin layers. Its color can range from gray to black, depending on the presence of organic material or minerals. 
  • The sandstone and shale exhibited in UTP GRG is medium to fine grain sandstone interbedded with shale that inhibits greyish colour and has undergoes slightly metamorphism process of heat and pressure. This rock is interpreted to be deposited in deep water depositional environment setting.
  • Interbedded of shale with sandstone can be observed on the rock boulders exhibited at UTP GRG with graded bedding and load cast structure.
Rock B11_E

Biotite Granite (Rock 5C)

Rock Type: Igneous Rock - Granite

Province: Main Range Province

Age: Late Triassic (230 - 200 million years ago)

Origin: Tampin, Negeri Sembilan

  • These featured rock is called biotite granite donated by Halaman Mantap Sdn. Bhd, originated from Tampin, Negeri Sembilan, was formed in Late Triassic Period approximately 230 - 200 million years ago.
  • Biotite granite refers to a type of granite that contains the mineral biotite as one of its primary components. Granite is an intrusive igneous rock composed mainly of quartz, feldspar, and mica, with biotite being one of the common types of mica found in granite.
  • Biotite is a dark-colored mineral belonging to the mica group. It typically has a dark brown to black color and can impart a darker hue to the granite in which it is present. The presence of biotite gives the granite a characteristic speckled appearance.
  • It forms through the cooling and solidification of molten magma deep within the Earth's crust. As the magma cools, minerals such as quartz, feldspar, and dark-colored biotite crystallize, creating the distinctive speckled appearance of the granite. The slow cooling process allows for the development of coarse-grained textures in the rock
  • Granite, in general, is a widely used material in construction and as a dimension stone (used for building and sculpting), but biotite granite located in Tampin, Negeri Sembilan have its own distinctive dark and pinkish mineral content that make it famous and suitable for various architectural and decorative applications such as tabletop when polished to a high sheen.
Rock B11_G