Largest Geological Rock Garden opens in Malaysia

Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) proudly inaugurated the Geological Rock Garden (GRG), named UTP GRG, today.

The grand opening ceremony witnessed the recognition of UTP GRG by the Malaysia Book of Records as the Largest Outdoor Geological Rock Garden in Malaysia.

The officiation was carried out by Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, highlighting the significance of this monumental achievement.

The largest outdoor geological display

Spanning an expansive area of 44,550 square metres around the UTP lake, UTP GRG boasts a 1.18-kilometre-long trail featuring five geological themes.

Covering a timeline of 540 million years to the present, the garden showcases the diverse geological treasures found in Malaysia.

Saarani expressed the importance of UTP GRG in enhancing access to higher education and promoting edu-tourism during his speech at the ceremony.

He stated, “The GRG, open to the public, is expected to play a significant role as an experiential learning place, not only for students but also for the general public.”

UTP GRG boasts diverse geological treasures

During the opening event, Saarani also launched four UTP publications related to geology, including UTP Geological Rock Garden: Malaysia’s Geological Rock Treasures; Immersive Reality Book: Earth Fossil Explorer; Immersive Reality Book: Rocks and Minerals, and Petrographic Atlas of Miocene Carbonates, Central Luconia, Sarawak. These publications further contribute to the educational value of the GRG.

UTP Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Mohamed Ibrahim Abdul Mutalib highlighted the diversity within UTP GRG, stating, “There are 27 types of rocks in the GRG representing Igneous, Sedimentary, and Metamorphic rocks obtained from various locations throughout Malaysia.”

The garden also features a rare meteorite impact rock known as suevite, over 1.85 million years old and sourced from the Lenggong Valley.

Mohamed Ibrahim emphasised the additional features of the geological park, including virtual reality digital data to aid learning about the exhibited rocks, as well as life-size replicas of dinosaurs and primitive mammals, providing visitors with an engaging and realistic experience.

The launch of UTP GRG aligns with the Visit Perak Year 2024 campaign, contributing to the region’s tourism sector with the concept of ‘Recovery and Conservation Tourism.’

The garden stands as a testament to UTP’s commitment to education, conservation, and offering an enriching experience for students and the public alike. UTP GRG is poised to become a prominent destination, combining education and tourism in a unique geological setting.