Shimen Cave Introduction
Standing on Provincial Highway 2 (Binhai Highway), Shimen Cave is a prominent landmark in the Shimen District of New Taipei City. The name originates from this cave, and legend has it that during the Japanese colonial period, the unique coastal erosion landscape of Shimen Cave amazed the Japanese, leading them to name the area "Shimen Village," which has since been adopted as the local township name. [Geological Wonder] The geological term for this formation is "sea arch," formed through the process of marine erosion. Millions of years ago, eruptions from the Datun volcano group deposited thick layers of volcanic debris and lava, which were later washed away by heavy rains and re-piled along the coast, creating a small hill. As geological pressure increased, vertical cracks known as "joints" formed. Additionally, the northeast monsoon and the frequent typhoons of summer created surging waves that provided strong erosive power. Over the years, seawater battered and eroded along the joints and layers, causing portions of the rock layers to crumble into the sea. This process eventually transformed the initially formed marine erosion gully into a sea cave, which has evolved into the sea arch we see today. Although shaped by marine erosion, Shimen Cave is noticeably elevated above sea level due to recent tectonic activity, which has uplifted the ground by several meters, making it a testament to geological changes. If you walk further into Shimen Cave, you can see the layers of rock stacked clearly. Each layer contains fine sand, volcanic debris, and gravel of varying sizes mixed together, indicating that the initial accumulation of rock layers likely resulted from mudslides caused by heavy rains. As the debris flowed rapidly downhill, the stones and fine sand did not have time to settle separately before being deposited at the foot of the mountain, creating the mixed layers of fine sand and gravel seen today. [Natural Ecology] Entering Shimen Cave, visitors are greeted by stunning views of blue skies and the sea. Although there is only a small beautiful shell beach here, it often evokes thoughts of Kenting. The coastal shallow reefs host plenty of fish and hermit crabs. The coastal rocks, adorned with seaweed, are a vibrant green, and sometimes you can see local residents harvesting seaweed here. As you walk along the trail and viewing platforms that line the coastline, you can enjoy expansive sea views. From April to May each year, native lilies and stone vegetables bloom, decorating the area above Shimen Cave and creating a spectacular scene. A visit to Shimen Cave allows one to experience diverse ecology and appreciate the rich scenery along the shores of Shimen.
