Indirect way of measuring the denudation rate of the Kinta Valley limestone, peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

The Kinta Valley is bounded by granite ranges. The extant vestige limestone hills which dot the valley mainly formed by the rivers arising from the granite. In order to determine the denudation rate of the Kinta Valley, sound assumptions and estimates of volume, area and time were taken. A 2 mm/ka denudation rate is found, although it underestimates the modern rate measured in the area, and the mean value obtained from tropical karst terrain. In spite of this, the value has been taken as good estimate since it reflects the fluctuation of denudation rate through time, which is possibly caused by factors other than considered in this study. It is inferred that, the realistic estimation of volume and time, presumed for the limestone deposit which has been taken away from the Kinta Valley, enabled to determine the long term denudation rate; nonetheless, to fully comprehend this, reviewing the paleoclimate of the region is indispensable.