ANALYSIS AND QUANTITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF GEODIVERSITY AT KARYA MURNI, GORONTALO, INDONESIA

Abstract

Karya Murni is one of the areas in the northern arm of Sulawesi that has been tectonically influenced. Tectonic processes have implications for the formation of rocks and geological features that have the potential to be developed into geodiversity sites. The development of geological features as a geodiversity site in aspiring geopark Gorontalo can protect valuable geological features from frequent degradation. This research aims to analyze and conduct quantitative assessments of geological diversity in Karya Murni, Gorontalo. The research method used is field observation, laboratory analysis, and geodiversity assessment. Field observations included observing landform, collecting rock samples, and measuring geological structures. Field observations were also carried out to observe aspects of the geodiversity assessment which included science, education, tourism, and risk degradation. Laboratory analysis consists of geomorphological analysis, petrographic analysis, and geological structure data analysis. Geodiversity assessment uses the Geological Survey Center of Indonesia assessment. The results suggest that the geomorphology of the study area can be divided into four geomorphic units - the volcanic hills, denudational hills, Karst hills, and fluvial plain units. The stratigraphy of the research area is divided into four units from the age of the early Eocene to the Holocene - the andesite lava, volcanic breccia, reef limestone, and alluvial deposit units. The geological structure of the study area is a trending northeast–southwest to northwest–southeast. Active faults at the location of the study area consist of the Apitalawu normal fault. At recent states, generally geosites of the Karya Murni have moderate scientific values, the low educational and touristic values and high risk of degradation. The geodiversity potential of the research area can be utilized for further research and education.