Shimen Cave Introduction
Shimen Cave, located on Provincial Highway 2 (Tai 2), is a prominent landmark in the Shimen District of New Taipei City. The name comes from this cave, which astonished the Japanese during the colonial period due to its unique marine erosion geography, leading them to name the area "Shimen Village." This name has since been used for the local township. In geological terms, it is officially known as a "marine erosion arch," formed by erosion from the sea. Millions of years ago, the Datun volcanic group erupted, depositing thick layers of volcanic debris and lava. Over time, heavy rains washed these materials away, leading to the accumulation of rock layers along the coast that formed a small hill. Subsequent tectonic pressure caused vertical cracks known as "joints" to appear, and with the northeast monsoon and frequent summer typhoons raising towering waves, the energetic waves eroded the rocks over the years. This erosion caused pieces of rock to collapse into the sea, progressively transforming the initial marine erosion gully into a cave and eventually evolving into the marine erosion arch seen today. Despite being formed by marine erosion, Shimen Cave is situated significantly above sea level due to recent tectonic movements that uplifted the ground, elevating the cave more than ten meters above sea level, serving as evidence of earth's fluctuations. If you venture inside Shimen Cave, you can see the distinct layers of rock stacked clearly, each containing fine sand, volcanic debris, and gravel of varying sizes mixed together. This indicates that the original rock layers accumulated rapidly due to landslides caused by torrential rains, which transported stones and fine sand to the shore before they had time to settle individually, leading to the current mixed rock layers of sand and gravel. In terms of natural ecology, entering Shimen Cave offers a breathtaking view of the blue sky and sea. Though it features only a small, beautiful shell beach, it evokes memories of Kenting. The shallow coastal reefs are home to schools of fish and many hermit crabs. The coastal rocks are lush with marine algae, and sometimes local residents can be seen harvesting seaweed. Following the coastal pathway to the viewing platforms and pavilions allows for even more panoramic views of the ocean. Between April and May each year, Taiwan's native species of lilies and rock vegetables bloom, adorning the area above Shimen Cave and creating a spectacular sight. A trip to Shimen Cave exposes visitors to a rich diversity of ecology, showcasing the vibrant beauty of the coastal Shimen Sea.
