Luwuk Banggai Geoheritage: A Story about the Collision and Obduction of the Banggai Microcontinent
Didit Hadi Barianto (a*) Moch Indra Novian (a) Salahuddin Husein (a) Andi Nur Syamsy (b)

a) Geological Engineering Deapartment, Faculty of Engineering, Gadjah Mada University, Jl Grafika no 2 Bulaksumur, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
*) didit_geologi[at]ugm.ac.id
b) BRIDA Kabupaten Banggai, Kawasan Perkantoran Kabupaten Banggai Kelurahan Tombang Permai, Kecamatan Luwuk Selatan, CentrSulawesi Province, Indonesia

Abstract

Various publications have discussed the geological uniqueness of Banggai-Sula in numerous scientific papers. This interest increased particularly after the discovery of petroleum in the area, making it the only oil field operating on Sulawesi Island. In this region, a rather rare geological phenomenon occurs: obduction, which has brought ophiolite rocks from the eastern arm of Sulawesi (East Sulawesi Ophiolite belt) into collision with the Banggai-Sula microcontinent. This obduction process has resulted in various rock exposures related to the formation of the Luwuk landmass, the presence of nickel minerals, and the emergence of petroleum. The local government of Luwuk Regency then proposed to designate this area as a geopark with the aim of conserving its various rock exposures, developing earth science-based education, and empowering the community through tourism enhancement.
Based on field observations, there are three geosites related to ophiolites, two geosites related to the Banggai-Sula microcontinent, two geosites related to post-collision sedimentation, and two geosites related to obduction and fault zones that will be proposed as geoheritage sites. All of these sites are located in areas with good access, beautiful views, and highly unique exposures. They could all become attractive locations for conservation, study, and development into tourist destinations.

Keywords: Ophiolite- collision- post collision- obduction- geopark- geoheritage-

Topic: Geotourism