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Thousands of Potholes in the Mekong River and Giant Pedestal Rock from North-eastern Thailand: Introduction to a Future Geological Heritage Site

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Abstract

A site with thousands of potholes, locally named “Samphunbok (SPB),” and a giant pedestal (mushroom) rock possess a very high geological value. The potholes are being formed on the riverbed of the Mekong River; whereas the giant pedestal rock is the largest on the Khorat Plateau, and is located in Ubon Ratchathani province, north-eastern Thailand. Based on detailed geological, geomorphological, and sedimentological perspectives, this paper presents the geological history of both erosional features for the future promotion of the Global Geopark Network. The giant pedestal rock is likely to be a remnant of degradation and weathering after a regional tectonic event. It is sculptured in the fracture zone of thick sandstone beds after uplifting and folding. No evidence of abrasion by wind was found. The formation of potholes is limited inside the Mekong River bankfull elevation. The appearance of potholes in different levels of the sandstone beds infers their formation in relation to the vertical evolution of the Mekong River. All geological data shown in this paper confirm the rareness of potholes and the giant pedestal rock in terms of how they were sculptured and preserved through time. These erosional features at SPB are discussed and introduced in this paper as a global geological heritage site.

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Acknowledgements

Thanks extend to Dr. P. Nimnate and N. Promjom for providing some photos (Figs. 3, 4, 7, and 9), while Dr. T, Charoentitirat, Dr. S, Pailoplee, and Dr. S, Phantuwongraj are thanked for field survey and discussions, and K. Choowong, C. Ketthong, and P. Wattanajarekul are thanked for field assistance. The MESA Research Unit provided logistic, laboratory, and field expenses. Authors thank the Editor and anonymous reviewers for constructive comments that greatly improved the quality of the manuscript.

Funding

This work was financially supported by a grant to SU from the 100th Anniversary Chulalongkorn University Fund for Doctoral scholarship and MC from the Ratchadapisek Somphot Endowment Foundation, Chulalongkorn University. MC received additional funding from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation (MHESI).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Morphology of Earth Surface and Advanced Geohazards in Southeast Asia Research Unit (MESA RU), Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand

    Sirawat Udomsak, Montri Choowong & Vichai Chutakositkanon

  2. Chulalongkorn Demonstration School, Faculty of Education, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand

    Nutcha Choowong

Authors
  1. Sirawat Udomsak
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  2. Nutcha Choowong
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  3. Montri Choowong
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  4. Vichai Chutakositkanon
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Contributions

SU performed field survey, sediment laboratory, photographs, and discussion. NC involved field survey, photographs and prepared figures, sketch, and illustrator. MC performed field survey, wrote the manuscript, and prepared all figures. VC preformed field survey and discussions.

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Correspondence to Montri Choowong.

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Udomsak, S., Choowong, N., Choowong, M. et al. Thousands of Potholes in the Mekong River and Giant Pedestal Rock from North-eastern Thailand: Introduction to a Future Geological Heritage Site. Geoheritage 13, 5 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-020-00524-w

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