Shoreline of Phang-Nga Bay

Last Update : Monday 5 March, 2001 0:31 AM

Ao Phang-Nga Marine National Park


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Shoreline of Phang-Nga Bay

          From the characteristic of its origin and geological alteration, we divided the shoreline into 5 types that are Submerged Shoreline, Emerged Shoreline, Neutral Shoreline, Fault Shoreline, and Compound Shoreline.

          Submerged Shoreline is occurred by the submersion of seashore crust or the elevation of sea level, which caused the sea-exposed area in the past sink under the sea at present. Many islands occurred near the shore. This type of shoreline is generally found in Andaman area, especially at Phang-Nga Bay.

          As same as other islands in Thailand, all are “Continental Islands” which used to be a part of the main land. Therefore, their geological formations are like the main land; for example, Similan and Surin islands are granite islands as same as the mountains in Ranong. But the islands in Phang-Nga Bay and Krabi are limestone islands as same as other limestone mountains normally found in the area. Remark the limestone mountains in the middle of mangrove forest, and Ko Panyee on the mouth of the river.

          If you pass through Phang-Nga Bay, the strange-looking landscape may cause you to wonder how these things happen. Wave, wind, current, and time cause the erosion of limestone to become the geological formation of which the splendor is reputed all over the world.

          Sea Notch  The long concave along the base of islands occurred by the erosion of wave and wind. Sea notch is higher than the present sea level. It shows the sea level in the past.

          Grotto  Caused by the erosion of seawater to be a hollow. Sometimes, it became a cave. Some places are the famous tourist attractions especially for the tourism of sea canoeing.

          Sea Arch  Some hollows were eroded by seawater until they are perforated, and became beautiful sea arches, especially, Tham Lod Yai of Phang-Nga Bay, the most famous sea arch of Thailand.

          Stack  Occurred by limestone cape standing out into the sea was eroded by the wave on both sides until it left only some parts that stand tall towering. Sometimes, we call it “Tall Stone Island” such as Khao Ta Poo