Geology and geoheritage study of Subong Area, Gua Musang, Kelantan using geodiversity assessment

This research focussed on the geology and geoheritage study using geodiversity assessment method in Subong area, Gua Musang. The research was done in a study area of 25 km2 within the longitude of 101°53'05.50"E to 101°55'50.50"E and latitude 4°54'42.07"N to 4°57'24.04"N. The objectives of this research are to: i) generate a detailed geological map of study area with scale of 1:25000 and ii) assess the geodiversity in the study area for geoheritage potential. Geology of the study area is conducted by mapping interpretation method using DEM SRTM, satellite imagery, topography map and TIN map. The geology of study area consists of metasedimentary rock unit, limestone, granite and alluvium deposits. Geoheritage study is conducted by using geodiversity assessment method. Four geological elements which are lithology, geomorphology, hydrology and mineral are quantified and indexed to produce total geodiversity index map. The total geodiversity index is quantified based on the sum up of four partial indices and classified into five classes using natural breaks Jenks classification method in ArcGIS. Geodiversity index map is presented on map of study area with 100 square grid cells. The total geodiversity index value ranges from 2 to 11. This value indicates the existence of a complex geological system in the study area. Thus, the geodiversity elements in the study area may possess its own geoheritage potential in which it has the potential to be further classified as a geosites based on the uniqueness of geological elements in the area.