Cenozoic Stratigraphy, Sedimentation and Tectonic Setting, Onshore Peninsular Malaysia: A Review

摘要

Cenozoic sediments in Peninsular Malaysia occur along the western and eastern part of the Peninsular as onshore basins and in the South China Sea and the Straits of Malacca as offshore basins. The study is about reviewing the stratigraphy, sedimentation and tectonic pattern of the onshore Cenozoic basins/sediments, Peninsular Malaysia. This is with the aim of updating and establishing missing information and proposing future research direction. The Cenozoic sediments occupy 20 percent of the landmass of Peninsular Malaysia, with Quaternary deposits dominating. The Tertiary rocks/basins, which are Eocene to Oligocene in age, occur as pull-apart basins in seven localities (Batu Arang, Bukit Arang, Kampung Durian Chondong, Enggor, Layang-Layang, Lawin and Kluang-Niyor). Siliciclastic sedimentary rocks (conglomerates, sandstones, siltstone and shales/mudstones) are the dominant rock types in the Tertiary stratigraphy. Coal seams especially the low-grade types have been reported in these Tertiary basins. The basins are half graben or isolated circular depression aligned to major fault zones. Quaternary sediments occupy east and west coastland with minor occurrences within river valleys onshore. They consist of unconsidered boulders, gravels, sand, silts and clays. The Quaternary formations (Simpang, Kempadang, Gula and Beruas) are distributed in and around North Kedah and Perlis, South Kedah and Penang, Perak, Kinta Valley, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Negeri Sembilan and Malacca, west, east and central Johor, Terengganu and Kelantan. These basins are tectonically stable with only minor fault movements, uplift and local deformations. In general, Cenozoic basins are associated with continuous adjustment by transtensional and/or transpressional wrench faulting, rifting and thermal subsidence.