In Langkawi geological history, much of its geological development was somewhat linked to what had happened in the old supercontinent Pangea and southern hemispheric Gondwanaland since more than 550 millions years ago.
It started in the deposition of Machinchang sandstone in a lacustrine environment during much of the Cambrian time, followed by the submerged of the land during Late Cambrian time, which allowed the invasion of shallow marine fauna into the proto-Langkawi sea.
Setul Formation
The continuous subsidence of the sea floor resulted in the formation of thick limestone of Setul Formation during the Ordovician. At the end of Ordocvician time, the sea become too deep to eventually stop the limestone deposition temporarily.
Rocks Formation @ Machinchang Mountain
Setul limestone continued to develop during Silurian until the Middle Devonian, followed by the depostion of sandstone and mudstone which sometimes are related to the rafted ice due to the global meeting of Gondwana ice cap.
Three Geoforest Park within Langkawi Geopark
- Machinchang Geoforest Park
Machinchang Cambrian Geoforest Park hosts the oldest geological formation in Malaysia known as the Machinchang Formation (550 million years old). Among the important geosites in the park are Teluk Datai (where the oldest grains of sand rest), Pantai Tengkorak (where old continent has been submerged - exhibiting text book examples of sedimentary structures, and Tanjung Buta / Pulau Jemuruk (graveyards of the oldest life forms in the country) and Tanjung Sabung (where the limestone succeeds sandstone).
Also located within this park are some natural wonders resulted from recent process such as the Temurun and Telaga Tujuh waterfalls, remnant islands of Anak Burau and Anak Datai, and the beautiful beaches in Teluk Datai and Pantai Kok.
The Machinchang peak exhibits peculiarly chopped sanstone that has often been related to the old folk myth of the brawl between two giants, the Matchinchang and MatRaya
The Machinchang ridges can be classified as one of the most beautiful landscape in Langkawi.
- Kilim Geoforest Park
The Kilim Karst Geoforest Park in the eastern part of the main Langkawi island features magnificently formed landscape of nearly vertical to subrounded limestone hills, with pinnacles of various shapes and sizes. This can be viewed on limestone Setul Formation.
The northeast region of Langkawi, encompassing the three river basins of Kilim, Air Hangat and Kisap and the neighbouring islands of Langgun and Tanjung Dendang. These places are really beautiful with the geological and landscape resources, the seas, the mudflats, beaches, the wetland mangrove and the unique fauna and flora that have long coexisted in these ecosystems.
The eagle and the cave system found in this area have also contributed to the myths and legends of the island. The name 'Langkawi" is said to have been derived from the Brahminy Kite eagle which is the most dominant bird species in the area.
Gua Cerita or Cave of Stories, which lies in the northern tip of the park, has manay legends associated with it -- the giant bird Garuda, the epic fight between Rama and Rawana and Sang Gedembai (a humanlike giant female creature with a power to curse anything to turn to stone!).
- Dayang Bunting Marble
The Dayang Bunting Marble Geoforest Park is mainly made of Permian marble overthrusted by the older Setul Formation limestone. These world finest marbles were resulted from the baking of Chuping Limestone by Triassic (220-200 million years) granite intrusion underneath.
There are a number of caves within the park. One of the most unique features of the park is the fresh water lake of Tasik Dayang Bunting, formerly a dry doline resulted from the collapse of a very large underground limestone cave.
This lake is believed to have some magic "mystical power" to improve fertility among those who dip into it and drink its water.
A large mangrove forest flourish along the Selat Dayang Bunting (Dayang Bunting Straits). The combination of landscapes from marble and granite bedrocks formed a figure resembling a pregnant woman on her back, hence the name Tasik Dayang Bunting or the Lake of Pregnant Maiden.
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