2007World Renewable Energy ConferenceTAROKO (MARBLE) GORGE TOUR
Destination : Pick-up From Hotel→Transfer to Sungshan Airport→Arrive
at Hualien→Enbus to Taroko Gorge Gateway →Eternal Spring Shrine→
Swallow Caves→→Tunnel of Nine Turns→Tienhsiang Lodge→Marble
factory→Chi Hsing Beach→Hualien Stone Sculptural Park→Enplane for
Taipei→Transfer to hotel
Date: 10/30~11/1
Pick-up: 6:00AM~6:30AM at the hotel lobby
Duration: 8hrs
Adult’s Fee: NT$4,900 per person
Child’s Fee: NT$4,000 per person
Introduction of the Tour Stops:
Day 1 Stops
First Stop:
Time
9:00-18:00
Introduction
If we study the geologic history of this area, it is not
difficult to understand the origin of what we see today.
Uplifting, followed by erosion by rivers, caused the
formation of most of the geologic features. The Liwu
River , when newly formed, was not nearly as dramatic
as it is today, but as time went on, the topographic
variation became more pronounced. The island of
Taiwan continued to rise, which caused the Liwu River
to continue its erosion.
The formation of Taroko Gorge involved many steps:
( 1 ) Formation of limestone
Before the existence of Taiwan , calcareous sediments
were deposited in the ocean. As time passed, new
sediment kept accumulating on top of the old; this,
followed by lithification, formed limestone.
( 2 ) Limestone metamorphosed into marble
After the deposition of the limestone, layers of other
materials were deposited, burying the limestone. After
a long period of time, the intense pressure and
subterranean heat caused the metamorphism of the
limestone into marble.
( 3 ) Uplifting of marble
About seventy million years ago the rock strata under
the sea were forced up to form mountains, including
the Taiwan Mountain Ranges. Meanwhile, the
horizontal marble strata were also forced upright.
( 4 ) Further uplifting of marble
About two million years ago, the volcanic islands of
the Philippine Sea Plate and the Taiwan Mountain
Ranges collided by a plate movement of the Penlai
Orogeny. The mountain ranges kept on pushing each
other and uplifting, so the marble stratum also kept on
rising, covered by other strata.
( 5 ) Valleys formed by river erosion
During the millions of years that have passed, the
action of rainwater and streams has eroded more than
ten thousand meters of rock. At the same Time, the
continents have been rising, so the mountains have
become higher and higher while the valleys have
become deeper and deeper.
( 6 ) Formation of Taroko Gorge
Because the exposed marble was hard and resistant, it
did not easily erode, so the resulting valley was narrow
with very steep sides. This nearly vertical valley we call
Taroko Gorge.
Notes:
1.
Round-trip air ticket is included.
2.
Passport is needed for enplaning.
Special arrangements available：
1.
return by train NT$4,000
2.
overnight stay NT$4,000 (one way by train)
3.
single room extra NT$1,000