Heritage Type
Volcanology.
Value
Geoheritage site of national significant.
Description
The Toba volcanic ash is abundant across the Lenggong area such as at Kg Chepor, Tasik Sandarhalu and Bukit Sapi. The site at Kg Chepor showed the volcanic ash was used as a foundation of early mosque, Mesjid Raja. Comprising rhyolite composition, this ash contains quartz, zircon, tourmaline, and mica minerals.
Dating through the40/Ar39 method suggested its age at approximately 74,000 years old, as the last super-eruption in North Sumatra. As one of the largest eruptions in human history, had a global impact, nearly leading to the extinction of early humans. Its ash residue spans vast regions across Asia, India, Africa, and even Antarctica.
Significant
Showcasing the early use of natural geological material (Toba ash) as the foundation of the Raja Mosque in 1541.
Other Heritage
The properties of Toba volcanic ash, which are similar to cement concrete, have enabled the architecture of Masjid Raja, the second oldest mosque in Perak, to remain sturdy to this day.