Shimen Cave Introduction
Shimen Cave, standing on Taiwan Provincial Highway 2, is a prominent landmark in the Shimen District of New Taipei City. The name originates from this cave, which, according to legend, amazed the Japanese during the colonial period with its unique coastal erosion terrain, leading them to name the area "Shimen Village," a name that has continued to be used locally to this day. The geological wonder is formally known as a "sea arch," formed by the erosion of sea water. Millions of years ago, the Datun Volcano Group erupted, accumulating thick volcanic debris and lava, which were later washed away by heavy rains, re-stacking layers of rock along the coastline to form a small hill. After further geological pressure, vertical "joints," or fractures, were created. With the northeast monsoon and frequent typhoons in summer stirring up high waves, the waves gained strong erosive energy, causing the sea water to constantly strike and erode along the joints and strata, leading to the collapse of rock layers into the sea. Over time, the initially formed sea erosion gully evolved into a sea cave and eventually transformed into today's sea arch. Despite being formed by coastal erosion, Shimen Cave is notably high above sea level due to recent tectonic movements, which have elevated the ground, raising the cave more than ten meters above sea level, serving as a testament to geological changes. Upon entering Shimen Cave, one can observe clearly stacked layers of rock with fine sand, volcanic debris, and gravel of varying sizes mixed together. This indicates that the original layer accumulation was likely caused by landslides triggered by heavy rains, and the fast-moving debris would have brought along stones and fine sand that had no time to settle separately before accumulating at the foot of the mountain. In terms of natural ecology, walking into Shimen Cave offers stunning views of the sea and sky. Although there's only a small beautiful shell beach here, it often reminds visitors of Kenting. Plenty of fish and hermit crabs can be seen in the shallow coastal reefs. The coastal rocks showcase greenery due to the growth of seaweed, and sometimes local residents can be seen harvesting algae. Along the paved viewing platforms and pavilions along the coastline, one can enjoy a wide view of the ocean. Every year from April to May, native lilies and stone vegetables bloom, adorning the top of Shimen Cave, creating a spectacular sight. A visit to Shimen Cave allows one to experience diverse ecosystems and witness the richness of the coastal area of Shimen.
