Download The Malaysian - Thai Working Group

Document related concepts

Igneous rock wikipedia , lookup

Clastic rock wikipedia , lookup

Transcript
GEOLOGY OF
THE BELUM – HALA TRANSECT AREA
ALONG THE MALAYSIA–THAILAND BORDER
GEOLOGICAL PAPERS
VOLUME 9
by
The Malaysian - Thai
Working Group
A joint project carried out by
Minerals and Geoscience Department, Malaysia
and
Department of Mineral Resources, Thailand
The Malaysia-Thailand Border Joint Geological Survey Committee
(MT-JGSC)
2012
GEOLOGY OF
THE BELUM-HALA TRANSECT AREA
ALONG THE MALAYSIA-THAILAND BORDER
by
The Malaysian-Thai Working Group
A joint project carried out by
Minerals and Geoscience Department, Malaysia
and
Department of Mineral Resources, Thailand
The Malaysia-Thailand Border Joint Geological Survey Committee
(MT-JGSC)
2012
PREFACE
This report together with the accompanying geological map on the scale 1:250,000 is the
result of close cooperation between the Minerals and Geoscience Department Malaysia, and the
Department of Mineral Resources Thailand in resolving problems related to cross border
geological correlation between Malaysia and Thailand. The Transect area covers about 2,020
square kilometres along the common Malaysia-Thailand border. Fieldwork was carried out in
October 2005, January 2010 and March 2010 in the Belum area, Malaysia. A joint field check
was carried out in the Belum area from 9th to 14th March 2010 by the geoscientists from both
Malaysia and Thailand. There was no fieldwork carried out in the Hala area, Thailand due to
security and accessibility reasons (very thick jungle). Thus, geological interpretation in the Hala
area was based on the remote sensing interpretation and correlation of the photogeological units
with the Belum area, Malaysia as well as previous works done in the Batu Melintang-Sungai
Kolok and Pengkalan Hulu-Betong Transects areas.
Problems on the discontinuity of time rock unit boundaries between the various rock units
found on both sides of the common border areas have been satisfactorily resolved. Potential
mineral deposits occur along the border areas but the present security situation, as well as
environmental issues does not encourage the exploitation of these mineral deposits. Future
increase in the price of minerals coupled with advances in mining technology may facilitate joint
exploitation of these mineral deposits.
Dato‟ Yunus Abdul Razak
Director General
Minerals and Geoscience Department
Malaysia
March 2012
Mr. Nitat Pootanakul
Director General
Department of Mineral Resources
Thailand
March 2012
i
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Malaysian - Thai Working Group would like to express their gratitude to the Director
General, officers and staffs of the Minerals and Geoscience Department Malaysia (JMG) and
the Director General, officers and staffs of the Department of Mineral Resources, Thailand
(DMR) for their encouragement, support and funding of this project.
Thanks are extended to Mr. Alexander Unya Ambun, Director of Technical Services
Division, Minerals and Geoscience Department Malaysia and Dr. Tawsaporn Nuchanong,
Director of Bureau of Geological Survey, Department of Mineral Resources, Thailand, for
their encouragements during the study.
Thanks also due to all staffs of the Minerals and Geoscience Department Malaysia and
Department of Mineral Resources, Thailand for their involvement in this project either
directly or indirectly. The Malaysian and Thai military, provincials and border police officials
are duly thanked for their assistance in the security matters especially during the field trips in
the Royal Belum State Park and Temengor Lake areas. Last but not least to all local
residences for their support and assistance during the fieldworks.
ii
Geology of the Belum-Hala Transect along the Malaysia-Thailand Border
by
The Malaysian-Thai Working Group
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
According to the Sixth Meeting of the Malaysia-Thailand Border Joint Geological
Survey Committee held in Kuala Lumpur on 11th June 2009, both parties have agreed to carry
out the study on the Geology of the Belum-Hala Transect as proposed by the Malaysian-Thai
Working Group. Since then, the project has been carried out by the geoscientists from the
Minerals and Geoscience Department Malaysia and the Department of Mineral Resources
Thailand in 2010 and 2011.
On the Malaysian side, systematic geological mapping in the Belum, Gunung Hulu
Merah and Kerunai areas where the Belum-Hala Transect is located was carried out by the
Geological Survey Department during the year 1991-1993. During that time, the Malaysian
side of the Transect area was mapped on the scale of 1:63,360. For the purpose of this joint
geological mapping, the Malaysian Working Group has undertaken geological field checks
on the scale 1:50,000 at selected localities in October 2005 and January 2010. In the areas
where the ground data is not available, the remote sensing interpretation has been done. Then
the geological map on the scale 1:250,000 was produced and attached to this report.
On the Thai side, the geology mapping of the Belum-Hala Transect area was carried out
based on the remote sensing interpretation and previous works on the Batu Melintang-Sungai
Kolok and Pengkalan Hulu-Betong Transect areas. A geological map based on remote
sensing data has been prepared since January 2010. A joint field check had been carried out
on the Malaysian side of the Transect area close to the Malaysia-Thailand border in
conjuction with the Malaysia-Thailand Working Group Meeting on the Belum-Hala Transect
area that was held from 9th to 14th March, 2010 at the Belum Rainforest Resort, Malaysia.
Then the photo-geological map has been improved by using the data and information
collected from the joint field check. In addition, raw data from the field works in the Batu
Melintang-Sungai Kolok and the Pengkalan Hulu-Betong Transect areas were also included
in describing the characteristics of rock units.
The Transect area is covered by the Silurian-Devonian Betong Formation (SDbt),
Carboniferous Tiang schist (Cts), Carboniferous Kubang Pasu/Yaha Formation (Ckp/yh),
Carboniferous-Permian Mangga formation (CPmg) and Permian Gerik formation (Pgk). The
Betong Formation is only exposed on the Thai side, whereas the Mangga formation and the
Gerik formation are only exposed on the Malaysian side.
The photogeological ST1 unit is well exposed as the long, narrow roof pendant area in the
vicinity of the granite/shear zones in the upper central and northwestern parts of the area. The unit
iii
is represented mainly by schist and phyllite, which can be correlated to the metamorphic rocks of
the Silurian-Devonian Betong Formation (SDbt1).
The photogeological ST2 unit forms a long, narrow-shaped roof pendant in the vicinity of the
granite/shear zone in the northwestern part of the Transect area. The characteristic of this unit is
similar to the ST1 unit but has more resistance. The unit is interpreted to be schist, phyllite and
minor quartzite which can be correlated to the metamorphic rocks of the Silurian-Devonian
Betong Formation (SDbt2).
The Tiang schist (Cts) comprises purplish grey to dark grey quartz-mica schist, quartz
schist, quartz-mica-graphite schist and quartz-mica-garnet schist with minor hornfels. The
schist is strongly schistosed, well foliated, consisting essentially of medium-grained
elongated quartz and mica.
On the Malaysian side, the Kubang Pasu/Yaha Formation (Ckp/yh) occupies the Sungai
Kenerong valley in the western and central parts of the Transect area. The rocks in this area
are metamorphosed to hornfels, phyllite, schist, metasandstone and metaconglomerate. On
the Thai side, the Yaha Formation (Ckp/yh: S3) unit is distributed in the south-western part of
the Transect area adjacent to the Malaysia-Thailand border. The unit shows a wide roof pendant
on granite with prominent N-S bedding trace. The unit is characterized by well-bedded sandstone
and shale which can be correlated to the arenaceous and argillaceous facies within the
Carboniferous Kubang Pasu/Yaha Formation (Ckpar/yh1 and Ckpag/yh2).
Only arenaceous facies of the Mangga formation (CPmg) is exposed in the southeastern
part of the Transect area. The arenaceous facies consists of yellowish grey, light grey, thin- to
medium-bedded, fine- to medium-grained metasandstone and metagreywacke interbedded
with minor metasiltstone.
The Gerik formation (Pgk) is distributed in the southwestern part of the Transect area. It
comprises predominantly tuffs of rhyolitic to rhyodacitic composition. In addition, interbeds
of tuffs, limestone, calcareous shale, tuffaceous sandstone and chert as well as siliceous shale
also occur in places. Foliation can be seen in the groundmass of the tuffs as a result of
regional metamorphism.
On the Malaysian side, the igneous rock that is predominantly consists of granitic rock
and distributed as N-S linear masses in the middle part of the Transect area known as the
Main Range Granite. It comprises the Kabut granite (Trgrkt), Merah granite (Trgrmr) and Singor
granite (Trgrsg).
Based on remote sensing interpretation, four types of the granitic rocks are identified on the
Thai side of the Transect area and can be described as follows:
i.
The G1 unit that is correlatable with the Merah granite/Bu Do granite (Trgrmr/bd) is widely
distributed as batholith in the eastern-central part of the Transect area and some stocks are
located in the central and western parts. It is also extented to the eastern part of the Belum
area in Malaysia
ii.
The G2 unit that is correlatable with the Kabut Granite (Trgrkt) unit is exposed as the N-S
trending batholith in the western part of the Transect area. It is also extented to the Bang
iv
Lang reservoir in Thailand and the upper reaches of Sungai Perak in Malaysia. Many roof
pendants are taken place in this granite type.
iii.
The G3 unit or Chantharat Granite (Trgrch) is characterized by its medium- to coarsegrained, sparsely megacrystic to good megacrystic, unfoliated to weakly foliated
biotite granite. It can be traced along the western flank of the Belum-Hala Transect
area.
iv.
The G4 unit that is correlatable with the Singor Granite/Hala granite (Trgrsg/hl) is light
grey or leucocratic, fine- to medium-grained, equigranular to inequigranular biotitemuscovite granite. Tourmaline is also present in significant amount. The Singor
Granite (Trgrsg) occurs as small isolated bodies within the Merah/Bu Do Granite
(Trgrmr/bd) and Kabut Granite/La Sa granite (Trgrkb/ls).
On the Malaysian side, the structural geology is generally corresponds to the regional
tectonic pattern of the Peninsular Malaysia with a slight variance as compared to the regional
pattern in places. The active period of tectonic activity, especially related the Bentong-Raub
Suture Zone during the Triassic might be responsible for the formation of major structures in
the Transect area during which the igneous intrusion and uplifting also occurred.
Structurally, the sedimentary and metamorphic successions of the Lower Paleozoic on the
Thai side are characterised by generally N-S trending strongly, close fold especially in the
Silurian-Devonian succession. The Upper Paleozoic rock sequence generally exhibits the N-S
trend, close and tight folds with fault-bounded units. The strike-slip, normal, reverse, and thrust
faults are trending in N-S, NW-SE and NE-SW directions.
On the Malaysian side, the Transect area was unknown for its economic deposits as there
were no records of prospecting and mining in the past. However, based on regional
geochemical survey carried out by the Minerals and Geoscience Department Malaysia during
1991 to 1993, seven multi-elements anomalous areas had been identified. Other than that,
rock aggregates and dimension stone showing a good potential to be exploited.
On the Thai side, mineral potential area in the Belum area has been studied by the
Department of Mineral Resources Thailand using airborne geophysic and magnetic anomalies
since 2003. The mineralization is found related to the contact metamorphism of granite intrusions
and country rocks, and subsequent hydrothermal activities. The Pb-Zn sulphide mineral potential
area, along the Hala stream, near the Malaysia-Thailand border and small Sn-W potential areas
were observed.
v
Contents
PREFACE ................................................................................................................................... i
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .......................................................................................................ii
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..................................................................................................... iii
1.0
INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................... 1
2.0 PREVIOUS WORKS AND GEOLOGIC SETTING ................................................... 12
2.1
Previous works ..................................................................................................... 12
2.2
Geologic setting .................................................................................................... 13
3.0 LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY............................................................................................. 17
3.1
Sedimentary and metamorphic rocks ................................................................... 17
3.1.1 The Betong Formation (SDbt1 and SDbt2).............................................................. 17
3.1.2 Tiang schist (Cts) .................................................................................................. 18
3.1.3 Kubang Pasu/Yaha Formation (Cyh)..................................................................... 22
3.1.4 Mangga formation (CPmg) .................................................................................... 27
3.1.5 Gerik formation (Pgk)............................................................................................ 29
3.2
Igneous Rocks ...................................................................................................... 35
3.2.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 35
3.2.2 Chantharat Granite (Trgrch) ................................................................................... 41
3.2.3 Kabut Granite/La Sa granite (Trgrkt/ls)................................................................... 41
3.2.4 Merah Granite/Bu Do granite (Trgrmr/bd) ............................................................... 42
3.2.5 Singor Granite/Hala granite (Trgrsg/hl) ................................................................... 44
3.2.6 Age and correlation .............................................................................................. 46
4.0 STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY ........................................................................................ 47
4.1
Introduction .......................................................................................................... 47
4.2
Bedding ................................................................................................................ 48
4.3
Foliation................................................................................................................ 48
4.4
Folding.................................................................................................................. 48
4.5
Faulting ................................................................................................................. 49
4.6
Jointing ................................................................................................................. 49
5.0 MINERALS AND OTHER NATURAL RESOURCES .............................................. 53
5.1
Introduction .......................................................................................................... 53
5.2
Geochemical Exploration ..................................................................................... 54
5.3
Other Geological Resources ................................................................................. 58
6.0
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION ........................................................................... 59
SELCTED BIBLIOGRAPHY ................................................................................................. 61
APPENDICES ......................................................................................................................... 64
vi
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Location map of the Belum-Hala Transect area .......................................................... 1
Figure 2: Location of the Pengkalan Hulu-Betong Transect as compared to the earlier
Transcet areas............................................................................................................... 2
Figure 3: The Transect area on the Malaysian side covered by topographic map sheets scale
1:50,000 ....................................................................................................................... 2
Figure 4: The Transect area on the Thai side covered by on the topographic map sheets
scale 1:50,000 .............................................................................................................. 3
Figure 5: Rafflesia azlanii ........................................................................................................... 4
Figure 6: Landsat TM satellite image of the Transect area. ........................................................ 5
Figure 7: Photogeological interpretation map of the Malaysian side of the Transect area ......... 7
Figure 8: Photogeological interpretation map of the Thai side of the Transect area .................. 9
Figure 9: Three dimensional surface view of Landsat 7 image of the Belum-Hala Transect
area. ............................................................................................................................ 11
Figure 10: Elevation map of the Belum-Hala Transect area ....................................................... 11
Figure 11: The three “Belts” of the Peninsular Malaysia and the northwestern domain within
the Western Belt. ........................................................................................................ 14
Figure 12: Generalised geologic sequence of the Belum-Hala Transect area (Malaysian side). 16
Figure 13: Schematic lithostratigraphic correlation for the Transect area. ................................. 17
Figure 14: Outcrop of the Tiang schist at Km 66.1 ..................................................................... 21
Figure 15: Close-up view of the Tiang schist. ............................................................................. 21
Figure 16: Exposures of quartz-mica-garnet schist at 5o 45‟ N, 101o 38‟ E, upper reaches of
Sungai Machang......................................................................................................... 21
Figure 17: The metaconglomerate exposures are limited within the vicinity of river mouth of
Sungai Tan Hain (05o 44.884‟ N, 101o23.389‟ E) ..................................................... 26
Figure 18: Various size of quartz clasts within the conglomerate............................................... 26
Figure 19: Dark grey mudstone clasts that is up to 5 cm in diameter. ........................................ 26
Figure 20: Cross-bedding observed on the top part of the sandstone beds grading from the
conglomerate. ............................................................................................................. 26
Figure 21: Exposures of the psammitic unit of the Mangga formation near TM
Communication Tower at Km 173.2 of the East-West Highway. ............................. 28
Figure 22: Close up view of the psammitic unit of the Mangga formation near TM
Communication Tower at Km 173.2 of the East-West Highway. ............................. 28
Figure 23: Deformed metatuff of the Gerik Formation expose at river mouth of Sungai
Kenarong. ................................................................................................................... 32
Figure 24: Deformed metatuff of the Gerik Formation expose at river mouth of Sungai
Kenarong. ................................................................................................................... 32
Figure 25: Tuffaceous sandstone expose at Km 34 of the East-West Highway. ........................ 33
Figure 26: Close-up of the tuffaceous sandstone expose at Km 34 of the East-West Highway. 33
Figure 27: Bedded metasandstone at Sungai Ta Eng. ................................................................. 33
Figure 28: Cross-bedding in the metasandstone bed. .................................................................. 33
Figure 29: Calcareous facies expose at the river mouth of Sungai Gadong. ............................... 33
Figure 30: Calcareous facies expose at river mouth of Sungai Gadong...................................... 33
Figure 31: Subvertical to vertical strata of well-bedded light grey to grey radiolarian bearing
chert and silliceous shale interbedded with thin beds of shale at Km 18.6 EastWest Highway (5o 31.655‟ N, 101o 14.790‟ E). ......................................................... 34
Figure 32: Thinly-bedded radiolarian bearing siliceous shale interbedded with thin beds of
shale located at the old stretch of the East-West Highway (5o 31.633‟ N,
101o 17.633‟ E). ......................................................................................................... 34
vii
Figure 33: Geological setting of the granites in Peninsular Malaysia. ........................................ 37
Figure 34: Distribution of granitic rocks exposed in the Transect area ...................................... 40
Figure 35: Photographs of the Kabut Granit/La Sa granite (Trgrkb/ls) in Malaysia at Km 56.6
of the East-West Highway. ........................................................................................ 42
Figure 36: Photographs of the Kabut Granit/La Sa granite (Trgrkb/ls) in Sungai Singor area on
the Malaysian side...................................................................................................... 42
Figure 37: Photographs of the Merah Granite/Bu Do granite (Trgrmr/bd) in Malaysia at Sungai
Kejar area. .................................................................................................................. 43
Figure 38: Photographs of the Merah Granite/Bu Do granite (Trgrmr/bd) in Malaysia at Km
56.6 of the East-West Highway.. ............................................................................... 43
Figure 39: Photographs of the Singor Granite/Hala granite (Trgrsg/hl) in Malaysia at the Sungai
Singor area. ................................................................................................................ 45
Figure 40: Photographs of the highly fractured Singor Granite/Hala granite (Trgrsg/hl) in
Malaysia at the Sungai Kejar area. ............................................................................ 45
Figure 41: Microphotograph of Singor Granite/Hala granite (Trgrsg/hl) shows euhedral to
subhedral tourmaline at Sungai Palai. ........................................................................ 46
Figure 42: Lineaments interpreted as the Ruok Fault Zone that almost parallel with the
Temengor Lake orientation ........................................................................................ 50
Figure 43: Location of the Ruok Fault Zone ............................................................................... 51
Figure 44: The Ruok Fault Zone crosses the East-West Highway at km 184 towards Kota
Baharu (208 km towards Ipoh) (05o 34.521‟ N, 101o 24.289‟ E). ............................. 52
Figure 45: Numerous sigmoidal quartzs within the schist in the Ruok Fault Zone at km 184
towards Kota Baharu (05o 34.521‟ N, 101o 24.289‟ E). ............................................ 52
Figure 46: Mining activities in the surrounding areas. ................................................................ 54
Figure 47: Anomaly map of the Transect area. ........................................................................... 56
Figure 48: Abandoned granite quarry at Km 61.6 of the East-West Highway. .......................... 58
Figure 49: Abandoned granite quarries at Km 63.3 of the East-West Highway. ........................ 58
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Photo-geological units of the Malaysian side (Belum) of the Transect area .................. 6
Table 2: Photo-characteristic and correlation unit on the Thai side of the Transect area ........... 10
Table 3: Simplified geological sequence of igneous rocks on the Malaysian side of the Transect
area. ............................................................................................................................... 38
Table 4: Correlation of igneous rocks on the Malaysian side of the Transect area .................... 38
Table 5: Summary of anomalies on the Malaysian side of the Transect area. ............................ 57
viii
1.0
INTRODUCTION
During the Sixth Meeting of the Malaysia-Thailand Border Joint Geological Survey
Committee held in Kuala Lumpur on 11th June 2009, both parties have agreed to carry out the
study on the Geology of the Belum-Hala Transect which was proposed by the Malaysian and
Thai Working Groups of the Malaysia-Thailand Border Joint Geological Survey Committee
(MT-JGSC) within the period 2010-2011. The Transect area is bounded by latitude 05o 30‟ N
to 06o 00‟ N and; by longitude 101o 15‟ E to 101o 35‟ E covering an area of 2,020 square
kilometers (Figure 1). It is located between the Pengkalan Hulu-Betong Transect on the west
and the Batu Melintang-Sungai Kolok Transect on the east (Malaysian-Thai Working Group,
2006 & 2010). Figure shows location of the Transect area as compared to the earlier
Transects.
Figure 1:
Location map of the Belum-Hala Transect area
On the Malaysian side, the Transect area covers approximately 1,770 square kilometers
along the Malaysia-Thailand border. It is covered by four topographic map sheets on the
1
scale 1:50,000 i.e. nos. 3666 (Tasek Temengor), 3667 (Belum) as shown in Figure 3. The
Transect area lies to the northeast of Gerik Township, in the district of Upper Perak. The
access road to the Transect area is through the East-West Highway, the only road connecting
Gerik in Upper Perak with Jeli in west Malaysia.
Figure 2: Location of the Pengkalan Hulu-Betong Transect as compared to the earlier Transcet areas
Figure 3: The Transect area on the Malaysian side covered by topographic map sheets scale 1:50,000
2
On the Thai side, the Belum-Hala Transect area covers approximately 350 square
kilometres along the border (Figure 4) and is geographically covered by two topographic map
sheets (scale 1:50,000) of Khao Hun Kut (5220 I) and Ban To Mo (5320 IV) Quadrangles.
Figure 4: The Transect area on the Thai side covered by on the topographic map sheets scale 1:50,000
On the Malaysian side, the Transect area that stretches from the East-West Highway up
to the Malaysia-Thailand Border in the north is located within the Royal Belum State Park.
The state park is administered and managed by the Perak State Park Cooperation, an agency
under the State Government of Perak. Previously, the entire forest of the Royal Belum State
Park was considered as a „black area‟ and was placed under a state of emergency from 1948
until 1989 due to extremely active subversive of the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM).
According to sources, when the highway was under construction, the stretch constructed
crossing the Belum area was constantly under threat of being bombed and sabotaged by
renegades.
Most of the Transect area is mountainous terrain geomorphology covered by dense
forest; The Royal Belum State Park, mostly grown by Dipterocarpus sp. One of the
attractions to the Royal Belum State Park is the occurrence of Rafflesia, the biggest flower in
the world. Previously there were two species of Rafflesia found in this area, namely Rafflesia
cantleyi and R. hasselttii. In 2004, a new species of Rafflesia was discovered, known as
R. azlanii, named after the Sultan of Perak, His Royal Highness Sultan Azlan Shah
(Figure 5).
On the Thai side, the Transect area is situated in the Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary.
Geomorphologically, the Belum-Hala Transect area on the Thai side covers mostly of
mountainous terrain (so-called the Hala mountainous terrain) with dense forest (90%).
Another 10% of the eastern part is covered by relatively undulating terrains with rubber and
oil palm plantation. In the western part, the mountainous area shows the high elevation (750950 m above MSL) at the Malaysia-Thailand border and decreases northwardly in elevation
3
to 200-300 m MSL at Bang Lang reservoir. The central-eastern part of the Transect area on
the Thai side is a plateau of high elevation mountainous terrain (1,000-1,400 m above MSL)
showing drop valley morphology around the plateau. The highest elevation of this mountain
is 1,490 m MSL. The eastern part of the Transect area consists of the N-S trending elongated
mountain and low-lying areas. General elevation of these terrains is about 200-600 m above
MSL. The main river of the Transect area on the Thai side is the Hala River originated from
the Hun Kut-Bu Lo mountainous area.
Figure 5: Rafflesia azlanii
The climate is Tropical Rainforest type (Koppen`s: „Af‟ climate). The mean annual
rainfall for 30 years (1951-1980) was 2,618.8 mm. The hottest month is May (28.4C in
average) and the coldest month is December (25.9C).
The geology of the Transect area on the Malaysian side was compiled based on the
geological maps on the scale of 1:63,360 covered by topographic map sheet nos. 19
(Kerunai), 20 (Belum) and 11 (Gunung Ulu Merah). Detailed geology and mineral resources
of those areas had been reported by Mohamad Hussein Jamaluddin et al. (in manuscript) and
Mohd Badzran et al. (in manuscript). The areas had been mapped systematically in the early
to middle nineties. Later, in early 2010, for the purpose of preparing this report, the
Malaysian Working Group has re-studied geology of the area briefly on the scale of 1:50,000.
Due to time and budget constrain, the Malaysian Working Group has only managed to recheck the geology of the Transect area along the East-West Highway and at the selected
localities in the Temengor Lake area.
Besides field data, aerial photograph and Landsat TM satellite imageries have been used
in the interpretation of some of the geological boundaries and major geological structures in
the Transect area especially on the Thai side, which no accesiblity. Enhanced false colour
composites of satellite data were used. In Malaysia, the black-and-white aerial photographs
covering the Belum area on the scale 1:25,000 taken in 1966-1967 were also used. The main
objectives of the remote sensing study are to demarcate the regional geological structures
which are lacking in existing maps as well as the extensions and correlation of existing rock
units across the border.
Digital image processing was carried out with Landsat TM scene 127/56 (18.01.96) on
the ERDAS IMAGINE image processing system. The data covering the study area was
4
extracted from the geo-coded (rectified to RSO projection) full scene. Image of the study area
which is the subset of the full scene were generated for further processing (Figure 6 ).
Figure 6: Landsat TM satellite image of the Transect area.
The spectral bands corresponding to one visible red band (3) and two infrared bands
(4 and 5) were chosen for analysis. False colour composite (RGB 453) generated from these
bands was subjected to contrast stretches and selected filtering process to generate 1: 100,000
hard-copy imagery.
On the Malaysian side, sixteen major broadly generalized photolithological units were
identified to fall under four main categories: sediment/metasediment, volcanic/pyroclastic,
plutonic/granitoid and alluvium as shown in Figure 7. List of the photo characteristics are
given in Table 1. The rocks occur generally in almost parallel north-south aligned belts. The
5
photolithological units are described in the corresponding rock units which was interpreted
and confirmed by ground truthing.
Table 1:
Nos.
Photolithological Unit
Photo-geological units of the Malaysian side (Belum) of the Transect area
Topography
Drainage
Pattern And
Texture
Erosional Feature
Photo Tone Of
Colour
Composite
Vegetation
And Land Use
1.
Alluvium A1
Low and flat
area
Principal
stream flow
Principal stream
Bluish light
green
Agriculture
and settlement
2.
Tuffaceous shale
V6
Moderate relief
with a major
ridge
Trellis drainage
pattern with
fine texture
Small gullies
perpendicular to
the ridge
Yellowish
brown
Forest
3.
Metatuff V5
High relief with
a major ridge
Trellis drainage
pattern with
coarse texture
Moderate gullies
perpendicular to
the ridge
Yellowish dark
brown
Forest
4.
Tuffaceous
sandstone V4
High relief with
irregular hill
ridge
Moderate gullies
with irregular
orientations
Brown
Forest
5.
Slaty tuff V3
Moderate relief
with parallel
ridges
Moderate gullies
perpendicular to
the ridge
Reddish
moderate brown
and disturbed
forest
6.
Phyllitic tuff V2
Moderate relief
with parallel
ridges
Dendritic and
trellis drainage
pattern with
coarse texture
Trellis drainage
pattern with
moderate
texture
Trellis drainage
pattern with
fine texture
Small gullies
perpendicular to
the ridge
Yellowish
moderate brown
, disturbed
forest and
settlement
7.
Schistose tuff V1
Moderate to
high relief with
parallel ridges
Moderate gullies
perpendicular to
the ridge
Yellowish
moderate brown
, disturbed
forest and
settlement
8.
Argillaceous
rocks S6
Moderate relief
with sharp
irregular ridges
Trellis drainage
pattern with
moderate
texture
Dendritic
drainage
pattern with
fine texture
Small gullies
with irregular
orientations
Dark brown
Forest and
disturbed
forest
6
Figure 7:
Photogeological interpretation map of the Malaysian side of the Transect area
In Thailand, the remote sensing work activities comprise image processing and
geological data interpretation from Landsat 7 imagery band 4, 5 and 7 as well as aerial
photograph. Geological interpretation including lineament mapping of the satellite data was
exclusively carried out on hard copy plots of the digitally enhanced satellite data for visual
interpretation. The visually extracted information can be annotated either onto a transparency
sheet overlaying the plotted-image or it can be digitized directly on the computer screen using
Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Accordingly, geological interpretation of the aerial
photography was done by visual interpretation.
Photogeological map interpretated from the Landsat 7 imagery is able to demarcate four
units of sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, and five units of igneous rocks (Figure 8). The
7
photogeological map interpreted from aerial photograph is able identify six units of
sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, and four units of igneous rocks, as shown in Table 2.
The final task, the geological map of the Belum-Hala Transect area on the Thai side was
compiled based on the remote sensing geological map and the geological data from
fieldworks in the Batu Melintang-Sungai Kolok Transect area and the Pengkalan HuluBetong Transect area. Three dimensional surface view of Landsat 7 image and elevation map
of the Belum-Hala Transect area are shown in Figures 9 and 10.
8
Figure 8:
Photogeological interpretation map of the Thai side of the Transect area
9
Table 2: Photo-characteristic and correlation unit on the Thai side of the Transect area
Unit
Photo-characteristic
Unit
ST4
The S4 unit is interpreted as Schist, Phylite, Shale and sandstone.
This unit is distributed in the north-eastern corner of the study area,
low-relief. The unit has grey tone, granular texture, and
mountainous landform with moderate resistance, dense vegetation
and forest land use. Drainage pattern is persistent lines, moderate to
high density, dendritic type. Several joint directions and inferred
boundary are also remarked in this unit.
Tiang Schist (Cts)
Unit
ST3
The unit has dark grey tone, granular texture, and mountainous
landform with high resistance, dense vegetation and forest land use.
Drainage pattern is persistent lines, moderate to high density,
dendritic and trellis type. The good bedding trace, moderate
attitude, several joint directions and inferred boundary are also
remarked in this unit. This unit was interpreted as sandstone and
shale.
Kubang Pasu/Yaha
Formation (Ckb/yh)
Unit
ST2
The Unit S2 show dark grey tone and moderate to high resistant.
The unit has grey tone, granular texture, and mountainous landform
with moderate resistance, dense vegetation and forest land use. The
drainage pattern is persistent lines, moderate to high density,
dendritic type. Several joint directions and inferred boundary are
also remarked in this unit. This unit was interpreted as shale and
sandstone.
Kroh/Betong Formation
(SDkr/bt2)
Unit
ST1
The unit has grey tone, granular texture, and mountainous landform
with moderate resistance, dense vegetation and forest land use.
Drainage pattern is persistent lines, moderate to high density,
dendritic type. Several joint directions and inferred boundary are
also remarked in this unit. This unit was interpreted as schist and
phyllite.
Kroh/Betong Formation
(SDkr/bt1)
Unit
GT4
The unit has grey tone, granular texture, mountainous landform,
circular feature with moderate resistance, moderate to dense
vegetation and forest land use. This unit was interpreted as granite
Singor granite (Trgrsg)/
Hala granite (Trgrhl)
Unit
GT3
The unit has grey to dark grey tone, granular texture, mountainous
landform with high resistance, moderate to dense vegetation and
forest land use. Drainage pattern is persistent lines, moderate
density, and dendritic type. Several joint directions and sharp
boundary are also remarked in this unit. This unit was interpreted as
granite.
Chantrarat granite (Trgrch)
Unit
GT2
The unit has dark grey tone, granular texture, and mountainous
landform with moderate to high resistance, moderate to dense
vegetation and forest land use. Drainage pattern is persistent lines,
moderate density, and dendritic pattern. Several joint directions and
sharp boundary are also remarked in this unit. This unit was
interpreted as granite.
Kabut granite (Trgrkt)/
Lasa granite (Trgrls)
Unit
GT1
The photo-characteristic of this unit is grey to dark grey tone,
granular texture, mountainous landform with moderate resistance,
moderate to dense vegetation and forest land use. Drainage pattern
is persistent lines, moderate density, and dendritic pattern. Several
joint directions and sharp boundary are also remarked in this unit.
This unit was interpreted as shale and siltstone.
Merah granite/Bu Do
granite (Trgrmr/bd)
10
Correlation unit
Figure 9:
Three dimensional surface view of Landsat 7 image of the Belum-Hala Transect area.
Figure 10:
Elevation map of the Belum-Hala Transect area
11
2.0
PREVIOUS WORKS AND GEOLOGIC SETTING
2.1
Previous works
The Malaysian side of the Transect area had been systematically mapped on the scale
1:63,360 by the Geological Survey Department Malaysia in 1991-1993. Most of the middle
part of the Transect area that covered by topographic map sheet no. 20 (Belum) and no. 11
(Gunung Ulu Merah) had been mapped by Mohamad Hussein et al. (in manuscript). The
western part of the Transect area covered by topographic map sheet no. 19 (Kerunai) was
mapped by Mohd Badzran et al. (in manuscript), and the eastern part that partly covered by
topographic map sheet no. 21 (Batu Melintang) and no. 12 (Belum) was mapped by
Mohamad Hussein et al. (in manuscript). Mohamad Sari et al. (in manuscript) mapped the
sheet no. 32 (Temengor) covering the area south of Belum.
The rock sequence consisting of quartz-muscovite schist, quartz-biotite schist, quartzbiotite-muscovite schist, quartz-sericite schist and quartz schist in the Belum and Temengor
areas had been mapped as the Tiang schist by Mohamad Hussein et al. (in manuscript).
Quartz-mica-garnet schist and silimanite gneiss occur locally.
Mohamad Hussein et al. (in manuscript) introduced the term Mangga formation to
describe the sequence of chert, siliceous shale, phillite, greywacke and sandstone with tuff
lenses exposed on the eastern margin of Main Range Granite. Subsequently, Mohamad Sari
et al. (in manuscript) includes the sequence of metagreywacke and metasandstone exposed in
the vicinity of Temengor to the south of the Transect area as part of the Mangga formation.
MacDonald (1953) mentioned in his field record about an exposure composed of lenses
and bands of schist and hornfels occurred within the black limestone believed to be part of
the olistostrome unit. Wong (1974) reported the occurrence of sequence of upper greenschist
to lower amphibolites schist metamorphic grades in this area which are common in the suture
zone. The rocks are schists and gneisses containing muscovite, biotite, andalusite and garnet.
Hornblende amphibolite is conformable with the pellitic schist. Subsequently Tjia (1989a)
and Tajul Anuar (1989) proposed the zone as the extension of the Bentong-Raub Suture Zone
in the Transect area. In addition, Mohd Raji (1990) who studied in detail geology around
Batu Melintang area, reported the occurrence of muscovite-quartz schist, garnet-muscovite
schist, silimanite-muscovite schist, biotite-hornblend schist, hornblend-epidote schist and
biotite-hornblende gneiss.
Hutchison and Taylor (1978) proposed three geographical granite belts in the Malay
peninsula based on lithology and petrochemistry of the granite. The Eastern belt granitoids
are composed mostly of I-type, magnetite-series granitoids, which intruded the Palaeozoic
host rocks during Permo-Triassic period. The Main Range granitoids (in the central belt area)
are composed mainly of S-type, ilmenite-series granitoids with minor intrusions of I-type,
magnetite-series granitoids. They also intruded the Palaeozoic country rocks in the Permo12
Triassic age. The western belt granitoids on the Thai side consist of both I-type, magnetiteseries granitoids and S-type, ilmenite-series granitoids of Cretaceous age.
On the Thai side, the Belum-Hala Transect area was first mapped by the Geological
Survey Division, Department of Mineral Resources Thailand (Muenlek et al., 1979) on scale
1:250,000 of sheet NB 47-12 (Betong District; reprinted in 1985). Muenlek et al. (1979) also
introduced the Silurian-Devonian rocks as the Ban To and Betong Formations. The former
consists of recrystallised limestones to marble, quartzite, phyllite, phyllitic schist and micaschist, and the latter comprises shales with Tentaculites elegans, cherts, siliceous shales,
metatuff, carbonaceous shales, argillite, mudstones, sandstones, and bedded recrystallised
limestones.
Muenlek et al. (1982) published a regional geological map of the Narathiwat Sheet on
the scale 1:250,000. The individual granite pluton was preliminarily studied petrographically
and subsequently three granite phases were classified as gneissic granite, coarse-grained
porphyritic biotite granite and tourmaline-muscovite granite.
Cobbing et al. (1986) completed a Southeast Asian granite project including the
geological map of individual granite plutons, petrography, geochemistry and Rb/Sr age
determination studies. They suggested that the granites in the east coast of Malaysia-Thailand
peninsula are mainly of Triassic age.
Tonnayopas (1994) studied the geology and stratigraphy of the Bang Lang Dam area
situated in the northeastern part of the Transect area. He suggested that the Bang Lang dam
site could be mainly covered by the Kanchanaburi Formation which consists of sandstone,
shale, argillite and schist, with igneous intrusion to the west of the Dam site. The formation
could be separated into the Bang Lang Formation consisting mainly of clastic sedimentary
rocks and underlying the Hala Formation comprising metamorphic rocks with an angular
unconformity contact.
Utha-aroon et al. (2000) reviewed the mineral resources near the Malaysia-Thailand
border. They suggested that the mineralizations were related to granite intrusion and
subsequent hydrothermal activities.
Chanrungrot (2003) studied the economic geology and mineral potential on scale
1:250,000 of sheet NB 47-12. He proposed the potential of Pb-Zn and Sn-W in the BelumHala Transect area.
2.2
Geologic setting
Based on differences of stratigraphy, mineralisation and structure, Peninsular Malaysia
had been divided into three north-south trending zones referred to as the Western, Central and
Eastern “Belts”. Some authors have recognized a Northwestern Domain within the Western
Belt that covers part of Kedah, Perlis and Langkawi Islands (Figure 11).
The Transect area lies in the western margin of the Central Belt. The major structural
geology features occurs in the Transect area is the Bentong-Raub Suture Zone that running
accross the eastern part of the Transect area in the north-south direction. The Bentong-Raub
13
Suture Zone represents a segment of the main Devonian to Middle Triassic Palaeo-Tethys
Ocean, and forms the boundary between the Gondwana-derived Sibumasu and Indochina
terranes (Metcalfe, 2000). It extends from Thailand where it is known as the Sra Kaeo and
Nan-Uttaradit Suture Zone, through the Transect area to Raub and Bentong, and then to the
east of Melaka, Peninsular Malaysia. The suture is exposed as an approximately 20 km wide
zone bordering the eastern limit of the Main Range granitoids and comprises melange,
oceanic ribbon-bedded cherts, schist, and discontinuous, narrow, elongate bodies of
serpentinised mafic-ultramafic rocks, interpreted as ophiolite (Hutchison, 1975, 1989; Tjia,
1987, 1989a,b).
7
O
O
O
O
102 E
101 E
100 E
O
103 E
104 E
O
7
TH
AI
LA
N
PERLIS
0
50
O
100 km
D
NORTHWESTERN
LANGKAWI
DOMAIN
ISLANDS
6O
KEDAH
SO
H
UT
U
LT
EA
A S
BE
4O
L
BE
RA
RN
NT
TE
CE
ES
K
T
NG
LT
A
SEL
A
PAH
BE
LT
S
A
R
NGO
R
IT
3O
IN
AN
N
W
A
PER
4O
5O
CH
G
NG
ER
RE
ST
TE
5
EA
KELANTAN
PENANG
O
3O
S
O
F
NEGERI
SEMBILAN
M
P. Tioman
E
L
A
K
A
MELAKA
2O
JOHOR
SUM
O
100 E
2O
ATR
A
O
101 E
O
102 E
O
103 E
SINGAPORE
Figure 11: The three “Belts” of the Peninsular Malaysia and the northwestern domain within the Western Belt
(after Lee, 2009).
14
The rock units on the Malaysian side of Transect area range from Carboniferous to
Quaternary in age. Upper Palaeozoic rock is represented by the Carboniferous Kubang Pasu
Formation (Ckp) and Middle Permian Gerik formation (Pgk). The oldest known rock unit is the
Carboniferous Tiang schist that is believed to be contemporaneous in age with the Kubang
Pasu Formation, which is widely exposed in southeastern part of the Transect area. It consists
of purplish grey, medium- to thick-bedded, medium-grained quartz-mica schist, quartz-micachiastolite schist, amphibolites schist, silimanite gneiss and hornfels. The succession is
strongly deformed and metamorphosed due to the Main Range Granite intrusion as well as
tectonic activity along the Bentong-Raub Suture Zone that lies within this rock unit.
The Kubang Pasu Formation (Ckp) comprises essentially thick interbeds of psammitic
and subordinate pelitic rocks. The psammitic rock is composed of thick-bedded
metasandstones i.e., quartzite with minor metagreywacke interbedded with subordinate
metasiltstone. The pelitic rock consists of fine-grained quartz-mica schist, quartz-micachiastolite schist and hornfels. Lithologically, the Kubang Pasu Formation in the Transect
area is slightly different from the succession exposed in the Pengkalan Hulu-Betong Transect
area due to the differences in degree of metamorphism. Fossils have not yet been found in
this rock unit in the Transect area. The rocks are commonly metamorphosed to
metasandstone, hornfels and fine-grained schist due to the Main Range Granite intrusion.
The Carboniferous-Permian Mangga formation (CPmg), located at the western margin of
the Bentong-Raub Suture Zone, overlies conformably the Carboniferous Tiang schist. It
comprises low- to medium-grade metamorphic sequences of psammitic, pelitic and
pyroclastic as well as schistose rocks.
Generally, the Permian Gerik formation (Pgk) overlies conformably the Carboniferous
Kubang Pasu Formation. However, a fault contact can be seen in the Transect area as a result
of uplifting of Carboniferous succession due to granite intrusion. The Gerik formation
consists of pyroclastic rocks, mainly tuffs of rhyolitic to rhyodacitic composition with
limestone and calcareous shale lenses, tuffaceous sandstone as well as chert and siliceous
shale that occur sporadically. The age of the Gerik formation is not older than Permian as
indicated by the presence of Phillipsia, Anisopyge (trilobite) and Chonetid (brachiopod)
within the calcareous shale at Kampung Batu 2, Gerik (Malaysian-Thai Working Group,
2010). Radiolarian bearing pelagic sediments crops out at Km 18.6 of the East-West
Highway and at an exposure (N 5o 31‟ 38”, E 101o 17‟38”) at the old stretch of the highway.
The samples yield Follicucullus sp., Gustefana sp., Latentifistula sp., Triplanospongos sp.
and Albaillella sp. Some radiolarian specimens resemble Follicucullus scholasticus and
Albaillella levis which are important faunas. The age of these fauna is interpreted as
Capitanian to Changhsingian stage of Middle to Late Permian (Saesaengseerung, pers.
comm.).
Quaternary alluvial deposits of appreciable extent and thickness are present along the
valley of the Sungai Perak, Sungai Pergau and their larger tributaries. The Recent deposits
have been accumulated through fluviatile accretion in the flood plains of the rivers.
Generalised succession of the rock units on the Malaysian side of the Transect area is
summarised in Figure 12.
15
Figure 12:
Generalised geologic sequence of the Belum-Hala Transect area (Malaysian side).
16
3.0
LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY
The Transect area is covered by the Silurian-Devonian Betong Formation (SDbt),
Carboniferous Tiang schist (Cts), Carboniferous Kubang Pasu/Yaha Formation (Ckp/yh),
Carboniferous-Permian Mangga formation (CPmg) and Permian Gerik formation (Pgk). The
Betong Formation is only exposed on the Thai side, whereas the Mangga formation and the
Gerik formation are only exposed on the Malaysian side.
Schematic lithostratigraphic correlation for the Transect area is shown in Figure 13.
Geological map of the Transect area is included in the back pocket.
SEDIMENTARY AND METASEDIMENTARY ROCKS
AGE/COUNTRY
PERIOD/EPOCH
CARBONIFEROUSPERMIAN
Gerik
formation(Pgk)
MALAYSIA/THAILAND
Arenaceous facies(Pgkar)
Pyroclastic facies(Pgkpy)
Tiang
schist(Cts)
Kubang Pasu
Fm.(Ckpar)
SILURIAN-DEVONIAN
Arenaceous facies(Pgkar)
Pyroclastic facies(Pgkpy)
Yaha Fm.(Cyh2)
Tiang
schist(Cts)
Kubang Pasu/Yaha
Formation (Ckp/yh)
Tiang schist(Cts)
Yaha Fm.(Cyh1)
Betong Formation(SDbt2)
Betong Formation(SDbt1)
Betong
Formation (SDbt)
Kubang Pasu
Fm.(Ckpag)
Argillaceous facies(Pgkag)
Mangga formation(CPmgar)
Yaha Formation(Cyh)
Mangga formation(CPmgar)
Kubang Pasu
Formation(Ckp)
CARBONIFEROUS
Argillaceous facies(Pgkag)
Betong
Formation (SDbt)
PERMIAN
PALAEOZOIC
ROCK UNITS
THAILAND
MALAYSIA
Gerik
formation(Pgk)
ERA
Betong Formation(SDbt2)
Betong Formation(SDbt1)
IGNEOUS ROCKS
MESOZOIC
Hala granite(Trgrhl)
TRIASSIC
Kabut granite (Trgrkt)
Kabut granite (Trgrkt)
Kabut granite (Trgrkt)
Merah Granite (Trgrmr)
Budo Granite (Trgrbd)
Merah Granite/Budo Granite (Trgrmr/bd)
Singor granite (Trgrsg)
Singor granite (Trgrsg)
Chantarat (Trgrch)
Figure 13:
3.1
Hala granite(Trgrhl)
Chantarat Granite (Trgrch)
Schematic lithostratigraphic correlation for the Transect area.
Sedimentary and metamorphic rocks
3.1.1 The Betong Formation (SDbt1 and SDbt2)
The rock unit, exposed only on the Thai side, is well distributed as N-S trending, long
narrow, low relief terrain along the Hala River in the west-central part of the Transect area.
The Betong Formation is in contact with the granite (units G3, G2, and G1) to the east, north,
west and south. In some places, it forms the large roof pendant above the granite on the top of
mountainous terrains. Bodies of small roof pendant are also exposed near the low-lying
terrains in the western part of the Transect area near the Malaysia-Thailand border. Both units
17
can be correlated to the metamorphic rocks of the Silurian-Devonian Betong Formation
(SDbt) and Kroh Formation (SDkr) on the Malaysian side in the Pengkalan Hulu-Betong
Transect area. The term Betong Formation (SDbt) was proposed by Muenlek et al. (1979) to
describe a sequence of fossiliferous sedimentary rocks of Silurian-Devonian age in the YalaBetong area. The formation is named after the Betong District, where good outcrops are well
exposed on road-cuts. It is the oldest lithostratigraphic unit exposed in the Transect area
(Malaysian-Thai Working Group, 2006).
In the Pengkalan Hulu-Betong Transect area, fossil assemblages, i.e. Tentaculites
elegans and Tentaculites sp. occur in light pink shale strata and limestone lenses. Conodont
assemblage found in chert beds indicates the age of rock sequence is Devonian. However, the
discovery of graptolite in light pink shale leads to the possible age of the succession is
Silurian-Devonian. Therefore, the succession of the Betong Formation (SDbt) can be dated as
Silurian-Devonian age.
3.1.2 Tiang schist (Cts)
On the Malaysian side, the term Tiang schist had been introduced by Mohamad Hussein
et al. (in manuscript) to describe a sequence of metamorphic rocks cropping out on the east of
the Main Range Granite and to the west of the Bentong-Raub Suture Zone in the Belum and
Batu Melintang areas. It is named after Sungai Tiang in the central part of the Transect area
where good outcrops can be observed.
On the Malaysian side, based on remote sensing interpretation, the Tiang schist is named
as S4 Unit.
S4 Unit
This unit is interpreted as quartz-mica schist that could be correlated with the Tiang
schist. The S4 unit is distributed in the eastern part of the Transect area from the north at
Malaysia-Thailand border (Bt. Luat Lantai) to the south of the Transect area.
The remote sensing characteristic of this unit is very high to high topography (mountain
landform) with main ridges orientation in NS direction. The main ridges are curve, convex,
round and branches irregularly. The branch ridges are angular to the main ridges. It has
dendritic drainage pattern with coarse texture. V-shape valley/gully occurs between the
ridges. It has dark grey photo tone, dense vegetation and forest cover. Part of the unit shows
dome structure like granite intrusion. Based on the field observation, the lithology of the area
is quartz-mica schist, amphibolite schist and silimanite gneiss.
On the Thai side, the S1 unit referred to the S5 Unit from photo characteristic is
interpreted as Schist, Phylite, Shale and sandstone. This unit is distributed as two N-S
trending, low-relief elongated terrains on the Thai side and close to the Malaysia-Thailand
border. The unit boundary can be correlated to the Cts unit on the Malaysian side. Some parts
of this unit are intruded by Triassic granite showing the circular feature. The lithology is
composed of quartz-mica schist, quartz-graphite schist, quartz-mica garnet schist, and quartz-
18
mica-chiastolite schist. Amphibolite schist occurs locally. This unit can be correlated to Tiang
Schist/Ban Sa formation.
Ban Sa formation is correlate to Tiang Schist in Malaysia side. The term Tiang schist
was introduced by Mohamad Hussein et al. (in manuscript) to describe a sequence of
metamorphic rocks out cropping in the east of the Main Range Granite in the Belum area. It
is named after the Sungai Tiang River where good outcrops can be observed. The term Ban
Sa formation is proposed during the joint Malaysia-Thailand geological survey project to
describe the high-grade metamorphic rocks on the Thai side of the Batu Melintang-Sungai
Kolok Transect area (Malaysian-Thai Working Group, 2006). It is named after the Ban Sa
village, near the Mae Nam Kolok (Kolok River) where good outcrops are exposed.
Distribution
The Tiang schist occupies a north-south trending belt whose western margin is in contact
with the eastern margin of the Main Range Granite. It extends northeastwardly into the Batu
Melintang-Sungai Kolok Transect area, northwardly into Thailand and southwardly into the
Temengor area. The rock unit is highly faulted throughout the area; therefore it is difficult to
estimate its thickness (Mohamad Hussein et al., in manuscript).
In the Belum-Hala Transect area, this unit is distributed as two N-S trending, low-relief
elongated terrains on the Thai side at the boundary pillar No. 60, Khlong Kue Sa, close to the
Malaysia-Thailand border. The unit boundary can be correlated to the SDts unit on the
Malaysian side. Some parts of this unit are intruded by Triassic granite showing the circular
feature.
Lithology
The Tiang schist (Cts) consists of purplish grey to dark grey quartz-mica schist, quartz
schist, quartz-mica-graphite schist and quartz-mica-garnet schist with minor hornfels. The
quartz-mica schist is strongly schistosed, well foliated, consisting essentially of mediumgrained elongated quartz and mica, commonly muscovite with chlorite (Figures 14 & 15).
Hornblende, calcite, diopsite and pyrite occur as accessory minerals. Although biotite is
predominant, muscovite is fairly common. Lenses of amphibolite schist comprising quartzactinolite-tremolite schist and quartz-mica-hornblende schist occur at several localities along
Sungai Tiang. Rohayu (1994) reported the occurrences of sillimanite gneiss at the higher
terrain along the East-West Highway in the Transect area. The presence of quartz-micachiastolite schist at Sungai Palai and Sungai Dadek, and quartz-mica-garnet schist (Figure 15)
at upper reaches of Sungai Machang indicates that it might be the result of both contact and
regional metamorphisms. Although granite is not exposed in the surrounding area of quartzmica-chiastolite schist and quartz-mica-garnet schist, it is believed that granite is subcropping below the metamorphic rocks. Hornfels and hornfelsic rocks occur in the vicinity of
the granite body.
Tiang Schist (Cts) on the Malaysian side of the Transect area consists of quartz schist and
quartz-mica schist. The quartz-mica schist is typically strongly schistosed, well-foliated,
19
consisting essentially of quartz and mica (most commonly muscovite). Chlorite, calcite and
pyrite have also been recorded in the schist. Although muscovite is predominant, biotite is
fairly common. Lenses of amphibolite schist comprising of quartz-actinolite-tremolite schist
and quartz-hornblende schist occur at several localities along the Sungai Tiang. Rohayu
(1994) reported that sillimanite gneiss has been found in the higher terrain along the EastWest Highway in the Belum area, 10 km southwest of the Transect area. The presence of
quartz-mica-chiastolite schist indicates that it might be the result of both contact and regional
metamorphisms. Although granite is not exposed in the surrounding area of quartz-micachiastolite schist, it is believed that the granite is sub-cropping below the metamorphic rocks.
According to the geology of the Batu Melintang-Sungai Kolok Transect area on the Thai
side, the Tiang schist/Ban Sa formation along the Mae Nam Kolok at Ban Sa and road-cut
succession at Ban Ba La consists mainly of thin- to thick-bedded, light grey, biotite-augen
gneiss (40-90%) intercalated with grey banded schistose biotite gneiss (10-60%). Augen
biotite gneiss has well-developed gneissocity, 1 cm per band. It has 40-50% phenocrysts in
volume. Phenocrysts are composed mainly of K-feldspar, porphyroblastic texture and are 0.51X 2-4 cm in size. Groundmass is medium- to coarse-grained and shows well-developed
gneissic texture. Mineral composition consists of sheared quartz (30%), feldspar (40%) and
platy biotite (40%). The schistose biotite-gneiss outcrop at Ban Sa has a similar lithology to
the augen gneiss having fewer phenocryst than the former but has more mica. Quartzamphibolite schist has similar texture with the Ban Sa outcrop but has more silica and
probably calcareous composition. Thinly banded, dark brown biotite, hornblende and
actinolite are usually common.
The succession is strongly deformed and metamorphosed as a result of the intrusion by
the Main Range Granite as well as affected by the tectonic activity in the Betong-Raub Suture
Zone along its eastern margin. The rocks trend N-S, with the foliation dip gently to steeply
both eastwards and westwards, resulting from intensive folding and faulting. The rock
displays well developed N-S and NNE-SSW trending cleavages.
20
Figure 14: Outcrop of the Tiang schist at Km 66.1
of the East-West Highway.
Figure 16:
Figure 15: Close-up view of the Tiang schist.
Exposures of quartz-mica-garnet schist at 5o 45‟ N, 101o 38‟ E, upper reaches of Sungai Machang.
Age and correlation
No fossil assemblage is recorded and the thickness of the succession is indeterminable.
Previously, this rock unit was interpretated as Silurian-Devonian in age. However, owing to
the fact that the Tiang schist is conformably overlain by the Carboniferous-Permian Mangga
formation, therefore it is interpreted that possibly Carboniferous age. In addition, Metcalfe
(2000) discovered an Upper Devonian to Upper Permian radiolarian in some of collected
chert samples along the Bentong-Raub Suture Zone to the south of the Transect area, which‟s
also in contact with the eastern margin of the Main Range Granite. The Tiang schist is
located at the same geological setting and geographical belt with the other Upper Palaeozoic
rocks unit. Furthermore, the origin of the rock may be is same sequence with the
Carboniferous Kubang Pasu that expose at the west side of the Transect area but just
separated by the Main Range Granite intrusion, therefore it is believed that they are might be
of the same age. The different of lithology is due to the degree of metamorphism.
Lithologically, the schist interpreted as thick-bedded to massive arenaceous origin indicates
very stable and consistent environment during the Carboniferous. Structurally, Tiang schist
21
shows gently dipping which can be observed at Km 66.1 of the East-West Highway (Figure
8), so that it might be younger than Silurian-Devonian that expected before. Hence, the
succession of the Tiang schist can be dated as probably Carboniferous age.
3.1.3 Kubang Pasu/Yaha Formation (Cyh)
The Kubang Pasu Formation is conformably overlain by the Permian Gerik formation.
However, within the Transect area, it is interpreted as fault contact with strike NW-SE.
Originally, the term Kubang Pasu Formation was introduced by Jones (1981) for a sequence
of thick sandstone and thin shale in the Kedah and Perlis areas in northwest Peninsular
Malaysia. The stratigraphic name was taken after the Kubang Pasu District, Kedah where the
good outcrops of this rock unit can be observed. Lithologically, the Kubang Pasu Formation
in the Transect area is different from that exposed in Kedah and Perlis due to metamorphism.
The rocks in this area are locally metamorphosed to metasandstone, hornfels, phyllite and
schist.
On the Malaysian side, based on remote sensing interpretation, the Carboniferous
Kubang Pasu/Yaha Formation can be divided into S1, S2 and S3 units as described below:
S1 Unit
The unit is interpreted to be schist and metasandstone which can be correlated to the
arenaceous facies within the Carboniferous Kubang Pasu/Yaha Formation at Pengkalan HuluBetong Transect area. The S1 unit is distributed in the northwest of the Transect area at
Malaysia-Thailand border in Ulu Titi Basah (5,030 m) and Gunung Angus (4,642 m)
mountainous terrain.
The remote sensing characteristic of this unit is very high topography (mountain
landform) and NS orientation. The main ridges are curve and linear, concave, sharp and
branches irregularly. The branch ridges are angular to the main ridge. It has dendritic
drainage pattern with fine to coarse texture. V-shape valley and gully occurs between the
ridges. It has grey to dark grey photo tone, dense vegetation and forest cover. Part of the unit
shows bedding plane with N-S strike and dipping gently to the east.
Based on the field observation, the lithology of the area are grey to greenish grey quartz-mica
schist and yellowish grey massive metaquartzarenite and minor of reddish mudstone and
siltstone.
S2 Unit
The unit is interpreted to be quartz-mica schist, metasandstone and metaconglomerate
which can be correlated to the arenaceous facies within the Carboniferous Kubang Pasu/Yaha
Formation at Pengkalan Hulu-Betong Transect area. The S2 unit is distributed in the
northwest of the Transect area near Malaysia-Thailand border.
The remote sensing characteristic of this unit is high topography having the N-S
direction. The main ridge is curve, irregular, convex, sharp and has more ridges branches.
22
The branch ridges are perpendicular and angular to the main ridge. It exhibits dendritic and
trellis drainage patterns with fine to coarse texture. More V-shape valley/gully occurs
between the ridges. It has light grey to grey photo tone covered with dense forest.
Based on field observation, the lithology of the area is grey to greenish grey quartz-mica
schist, light grey to grey metasandstone grading up to metaconglomerate. This metaconglomerate was interpreted as the upper part of this unit.
S3 Unit
This unit is interpreted to be arenaceous rock which can be correlated to the arenaceous
facies within the Carboniferous Kubang Pasu/Yaha Formation at Pengkalan Hulu-Betong
Transects area. The S3 unit is distributed in the central part of the Transect area.
The remote sensing characteristic of this unit is moderate high relief topography having
the N-S direction. The main ridge has curve, convex and sharp characteristics with irregular
branches pattern. These branches are angular and perpendicular to the main ridge. It exhibits
dendritic and trellis drainage pattern with fine texture. More V-shape gully occurs between
the ridges. It has light grey photo tone covered with dense forest. Based on the field
observation, the lithology of the area is quartz-mica schist.
On the Thai side, the Yaha Formation (Cyh) is conformably underlain by the Betong
Formation. The term Yaha was introduced by Nakapadungrat et al. (1988) to describe a
sequence of thick Carboniferous clastic rocks in the Sadao-Yala area. It is named after Yaha
District, where geological information was firstly studied and good outcrops are prevailed.
This unit can be correlated with the Kubang Pasu/Yaha Formation.
Distribution
In Malaysia, the Kubang Pasu Formation (Ckp) is well exposed in the western part of the
Transect area, covering the Sungai Kenarong valley. The rock exposures can be observed
along the streams of Sungai Kenarong which located in the remote and forested area. The
only access to that area is by boat via Temengor Lake, and then proceeds to continue the
traverse by foot. Metasandstone and metaconglomerate occurs in the river mouth of the
Sungai Tan Hain in the northern part of the Temengor Lake. The succession also occurs as
roof pendant within the Main Range Granite.
The Yaha Formation (Cyh) is well distributed in the western part of the Belum-Hala
Transect area. In the Transect area, the Yaha Formation can be subdivided into two facies,
namely, the argillaceous facies (Cyh1) of the Yaha Formation (Cyh) or the lower part, and the
arenaceous facies (Cyh2) of the Yaha Formation (Cyh) or the upper part of the complete
sequence.
23
Lithology
The whole succession of the Kubang Pasu Formation (Ckp) in the Transect area is
metamorphosed. Granite intrusion in the country rocks can be observed along Sungai Terosak
and its tributaries where the rocks are metamorphosed to phyllite, schist, hornfels,
metasiltstone and metasandstone.
In the Betong-Than To area, a complete sequence of the Yaha Formation (Cyh) is
characterized by the presence of sandstone, siltstone, shale and ribbon chert with subordinate
limestone lenses. The total thickness of this Carboniferous rock from the representative
section exceeds 800 m.
The succession consists of (in ascending order) thick sequence of pelitic rock comprising
hornfels, phyllite and schist intercalated with light grey, thick-bedded to massive, finegrained, well-sorted and graded metasandstone or metaquartzarenite and minor metasiltstones
overlain by metaconglomerate, grey, medium-grained grit and poorly sorted, graded and
cross bedded metasandstones.
The pelitic rocks consist of phyllite, schist, hornfels and a minor variety of thin-bedded,
poorly sorted pelitic-psammitic rocks of metamudstone, metasiltstone and metagreywacke.
The phyllite and schist consist of very fine- to fine-grained, elongated quartz grains with
bands of sericite, chlorite, muscovite, biotite and iron oxide. Hornblende presents as
accessory mineral. The phyllite is commonly laminated with the lamination parallel to the
original bedding plane and occasionally shows wavy cleavage. Schistosity in the schist is
made up of segregation of muscovite and biotite and other flaky and columnar minerals such
as hornblende as well as secondary minerals such as sericite and chlorite. Metasiltstone and
metagreywacke generally less than a few centimetres thick, occur commonly as interbeds and
intercalations within the phyllite or schist sequences. The presence of quartz-mica-chiastolite
schist at the right tributary of Sungai Kenarong indicates that it might be the result of both
contact and regional metamorphisms. Although granite is not exposed in the surrounding area
of quartz-mica-chiastolite schist, it is believed that granite is sub-cropping below the
metamorphic rocks.
On the Thai side, the S4 Unit referred to some parts of the S3 Unit, is interpreted to be
well-bedded sandstone and shale which can be correlated to argillaceous facies (western part
of S3) within the Carboniferous Kubang Pasu/Yaha Formation (Ckpag/yh) in the Pengkalan
Hulu-Betong Transect area. The unit is distributed in the western part of the Belum-Hala
Transect area (the Hun Kut mountainous terrain) close to the Malaysia-Thailand border. It
shows the wide patches of roof pendants on granite with distinct N-S bedding traces.
In the Transect area, the argillaceous facies of the Yaha Formation (Cyh) is well exposed
in the low relief terrain, near the eastern granite pluton in the western part of the area and
extends to the northwestern part of the Malaysian side.
The argillaceous rocks in the lower part (Cyh1) of the Yaha Formation (Cyh) are affected
by local deformation and low-grade metamorphism (or superimposed) in the shear and
contact zones. The rocks are metamorphosed to be thin- to medium-banded phyllite, phyllitic
24
schist, mica schist and quartz-schist with minor quartzite and calc-silicate. The thickness of
this unit is inconclusive due to strong folding.
The psammitic rocks of the Kubang Pasu Formation are made up of thick sequence of
thick-bedded to massive metasandstone, predominantly quartzite (metaquartzarenite) and
minor pelitic rocks such as metasiltstone. At the Gunung Hulu Titi Basah, in the vicinity of
Malaysia-Thailand border, the succession is composed predominantly of light grey- to
yellowish grey, fine- to medium-grained metaquartzarenite containing more than 95% quartz
grains. The rests are muscovite with minor tourmaline, feldspar and iron oxide. Thin
interbeds of metasiltstone occasionally occur within the metasandstone.
The Arenaceous facies (Cyh2) of the Yaha Formation (Cyh) are restricted as roof pendants
on granite in the mountainous area close to the boundary pillar No. 56 B. The unit is
distributed in the western part of the Belum-Hala Transect area (the Hun Kut mountainous
terrain) close to the Malaysia-Thailand border. It shows the wide patches of roof pendant on
granite with distinct N-S bedding traces. It is characterized by the presence of medium- to
thick-bedded sandstone, quartzite and minor argillite with indeterminable thickness.
The younger parts of the succession are composed of greywacke and subgreywacke. The
grains are poorly sorted and more often grading up from pebbly sandstone or grit to
conglomerate. The metaconglomerate exposures are limited within the vicinity of the river
mouth of Sungai Tan Hain (05o 44.884‟ N, 101o23.389‟ E), in the northern part of the
Temengor Lake area (Figure 17). The metaconglomerates, grey to yellowish grey when
weathered, have medium- to thick-bedded (0.5-1.5 m thick) and coarsening upward sequence.
Their texture comprises 20% - 30% clasts of subangular to angular, low sphericity and poorly
sorted, various sizes from pebble to cobble; 1 to 5 cm in diameter of smoky, pinkish to white
vein quartz (95%) (Figure 18), and the rest is light grey sandstones, dark grey siltstone and
grey chert (5%) with occasional large mudstone clasts (Figure 19). Orientation of clasts
commonly follows the current direction. Matrix of rocks is fine- to medium-grained poorly
sorted grey dirty sandstones exhibiting well-developed graded and cross bedding. In places,
cross-bedding can be observed on the top part of the sandstone beds that graded to the
conglomerate (Figure 20).
The rocks cleavage strikes N-S and NNW-SSE, generally dipping both eastward and
westward. The total thickness of the Carboniferous rocks from the representative section is
more than 800 m.
25
Figure 17: The metaconglomerate exposures are
limited within the vicinity of river mouth
of Sungai Tan Hain (05o 44.884‟ N,
101o23.389‟ E)
Figure 18: Various size of quartz clasts within the
conglomerate.
Figure 19: Dark grey mudstone clasts that is up to 5
cm in diameter.
Figure 20: Cross-bedding observed on the top part of
the sandstone beds grading from the
conglomerate.
Age and Correlation
No fossil assemblage is recorded within the rocks unit in the Transect area. The
psammitic rock shows similar characteristics where thick-bedded to massive sandstone or
metasandstone indicates very stable and consistent environment during the Carboniferous. It
is correlatable with the Kubang Pasu Formation exposed in the Kubang Pasu area. The
difference is just due to the degree of metamorphism; however they are expected to be of the
same genesis. Furthermore, this rock unit is exposed at the upper reaches of Sungai
Kenarong, in the vicinity of Malaysia-Thailand border, just 6 km to the southeast of Ban Tai
Tong in Yala Province, Thailand where Carboniferous microfossils were found.
26
Depositional Environment
The sandstone is intercalated with the thick to very thick sequence of pelitic rocks,
followed by very thick sequence of thick-bedded to massive, well-sorted quartzitic
metasandstone with graded bedding and cross lamination. The rocks are interpreted to
represent a near shore environment of deposition, probably in either intertidal or upper
subtidal zones. The poorly sorted metaconglomerate is interpreted as reworked conglomerate
previously deposited in the shelf environment and then redeposited in the deeper
environment together with the arenaceous and argillaceous materials.
3.1.4 Mangga formation (CPmg)
The term Mangga formation was introduced by Mohamad Hussein et al. (in manuscript)
to describe the low- to medium-grade metamorphic sequences of psammitic, pellitic,
pyroclastic, hornfels and marble as well as schistose rocks in the eastern part of the Transect
area. It is named after the Sungai Mangga where this rock unit was first mapped and good
outcrops had been recorded. The formation exposed only on the Malaysian side. The Mangga
formation (CPmg), which is strongly deformed and metamorphosed, trends N-S and dips
moderately to steeply either westward or eastwardly.
On the Thai side, the unit S5 is pointed to some parts of the S5 unit which interpreted
from photo characteristics as shale and sandstone. The unit can be correlated with the
arenaceous facies of the Carboniferous-Permain Mangga formation/Ka Lu Bi formation
(CPmgkl) which comprises metasandstone, metagreywacke, tuffaceous sandstone, quartzite
and conglomerate. This unit extends as elongated N-S trending ridge in the eastern part of the
Transect area.
The S6 unit is referred to some parts of the S5 unit. From the photo characteristics this
unit is interpreted as shale and sandstone (S5 Unit). It is correlatable with the CarboniferousPermian Mangga formation/Ka Lu Bi formation (CPmgkl) on the Malaysian side. The Unit S6
is well exposed continuously along the elongated N-S trending ridge in the eastern part of the
Transect area. Some parts of this unit are intruded by the Cretaceous To Mo granite (Kgrtm)
and exhibit the aureole complex and circular feature.
The eastern margin of the Mangga formation is situated within the Bentong-Raub Suture
Zone. Structurally, the rocks within the suture zone are highly deformed due to the tectonic
activities during the collision of the Sibumasu and Indochina terranes.
Distribution
The Mangga formation (CPmg) is confined to the Sungai Mangga, located in the
southeastern part of the Transect area. It extends eastwardly into the Batu Melintang-Sungai
Kolok Transect area where the equivalent Ai Ka Po formation (CPak) and Ka Lu Bi formation
(CPkl) can be observed. The thickness of the succession is indeterminable due to its strongly
deformed nature.
27
Lithology
According to the Malaysian-Thai Working Group (2006), the Mangga formation/Ai Ka
Po formation/Ka Lu Bi formation (CPmg/ak and CPmg/kl) in the Batu Melintang-Sungai Kolok
Transect area, on the Malaysian side is represented by a low grade metamorphic sequence
that can be subdivided into four facies, namely, argillaceous (CPmgag), arenaceous (CPmgar),
pyroclastic (CPmgpy), and calcareous (CPmgcl) rocks. The argillaceous unit consists mainly of
metamorphosed siliceous shale, slate, phyllite, metasiltstone and hornfels. There are two
strata of argilliceous facies representative of the lower and upper parts of this formation. The
upper part consists of hornfelsic rocks such as calc-silicate hornfels. The best outcrop of
hornfels is located near the junction to Felda Tumbi Rapat. The rocks are light grey in colour,
very fine-grained, slightly foliated and recrystallized with both quartz and calcite veinlets.
Petrographically, the main minerals are quartz with minor muscovite, biotite, diopsite and
iron oxide. The chert is light grey to grey with some impure cherts forming ribbon cherts.
Only arenaceous facies is exposed in the Transect area. The arenaceous facies consists of
yellowish grey, light grey, thin- to medium-bedded, fine- to medium-grained metasandstone
and metagreywacke interbedded with minor metasiltstone. Due to deep weathering, no
suitable photograph of the outcrops exposed in the Transect area can be shown in this report.
Photographs of the arenaceous facies which is exposed in the Batu Melintang-Sungai Kolok
Transect area at Km 173.2 of the East-West Highway, about 2 km to the east of the Transect
area are selected as examples shown in Figures 21 and 22.
Figure 21: Exposures of the psammitic unit of the
Mangga
formation
near
TM
Communication Tower at Km 173.2 of
the East-West Highway.
Figure 22:
Close up view of the psammitic
unit of the Mangga formation near
TM Communication Tower at Km
173.2 of the East-West Highway.
Age and correlation
MacDonald (1955) reported on the occurrences of the poorly preserved fossils of
Palaeojera sp., brachiopod of Costiferina sp. and gastropod in the Mangga formation at
Kampung Belimbing, in the Batu Melintang area indicative of Permian age.
28
During the Malaysia-Thailand Working Group joint field check in March 2010, several
chert and siliceous shale samples were collected near the TM telecomunication tower at Km
173.2 of the East-West Highway (N 05o 35.883‟, E 101o 36.002‟), 2 km to the east of the
Transect area. Radiolarians extracted from the chert and siliceous shale were poorly
preserved. However, the radiolarian can be identified as Follicuculus sp. and others, quite
similar with that found in the Gerik Formation at Km 18.6 of the East-West Highway, Upper
Perak. These fossils suggest that the age of the rock unit is possibly of Capitanian to
Wuchiapingian (Middle to Late Permian). However, based on lithological and stratigraphical
correlations, the age of the succession was assigned as Carboniferous-Permian (Malaysian
and Thailand Working Groups, 2010).
3.1.5 Gerik formation (Pgk)
The term Gerik formation was informally proposed to replace the term Grik tuff
introduced by Burton (1970, 1972, 1986) for the pyroclastic rocks consisting mainly of tuffs
of rhyolitic to rhyodacitic composition (The Malaysia-Thailand Working Group, 2010).
Limestone and calcareous shale lenses occur sporadically. The name of this formation is
taken after the Gerik town situated 10 km to the southwest of the Transect‟s area boundary.
The occurrence of interbedded tuff, limestone and fossiliferous calcareous shale on a roadcut at Kampung Batu 2, Gerik indicates a Permian age for the formation. The tuffs of the
Gerik formation are occasionally metamorphosed (The Malaysia-Thailand Working Group,
2010).
In the Transect area, the tuff is underlain by the thick beds of fine-grained tuffaceous
sandstone. There are several small lenses of marble in the tuff at the river mouth of Sungai
Gadong (05o 36.759‟ N, 101o 18.997‟ E) in northwestern part of the Temengor Lake. It is
also well exposed at Bukit Tali Kail, Temengor Lake, just 1 km outside of Transect‟s south
boundary. Lithologically, the sandstone resembles the Carboniferous Kubang Pasu
Formation‟s sandstone, but structurally, the sandstone lies on top of the tuff beds. Therefore
it is interpreted as belonging to the Permian Gerik formation. On the Malaysian side, based
on remote sensing interpretation, the Gerik Formation can be divided into six units, named as
V1 to V6 as described below:
V1 Unit
The unit is interpreted to be schistose tuff of the Gerik Formation. The V1 unit is
distributed in the south central part of the Transect area which is in contact with the Main
Range Granite. The remote sensing characteristic of this unit is moderate high relief
topography; parallel ridges and unit orientation are in nearly NS direction. Main ridge has
sharp characteristic, curve, convex and branches parallel/irregularly. The ridges branch not
too sharp and perpendicular/angular to the main ridge. The unit has trellis and dendritic
drainage pattern with moderate texture and many V-shape gullies. It has grey photo tone,
dense vegetation and forest/disturbed forest landuse. The rock is of greenish grey to dark
grey of quartz-mica schist.
29
V2 Unit
The unit is interpreted to be phyllitic tuff of the Gerik Formation. The V2 unit is
distributed in the south central part of the Transect area. The remote sensing characteristic of
this unit is low relief topography (hilly landform). Main ridges, oriented nearly N-S direction,
have not too sharp characteristic, curve, concave and many parallel branches. The branches
are perpendicular to the main ridge. The unit has trellis drainage pattern with fine texture and
V-shape gully. It has grey photo tone and dense forest. The rock is laminated to thin beds of
grey to greenish grey metatuff of rhyolitic composition.
V3 Unit
The unit is interpreted to be slaty tuff of the Gerik Formation. The V3 unit is distributed
in the southwestern part of the Transect area. The remote sensing characteristic of this unit is
moderate high relief topography (hilly landform Main ridges, oriented nearly N-S direction,
have not too sharp characteristic, curve, concave and many parallel branches. The branches
are pendicular to the main ridge. The unit has trellis drainage pattern with moderate texture
and V-shape gully. It has grey photo tone and dense forest. The rock is laminated to thin beds
of grey to greenish grey metatuff of rhyolitic composition.
V4 Unit
The unit is interpreted to be tuffaceous sandstone of the Gerik Formation. The V4 unit is
distributed in the southwestern part of the Transect area to the west of Temengor Lake. This
rock unit forms the Gunung Pilong (2344 m) and Gunung Tenok (1970 m).
The remote sensing characteristic of this unit is high to moderately high relief
topography with many main ridges in various, especially in the N-S direction, concave, not
too sharp, and curved. The branch ridges are angular to the main ridge. The unit has dendritic
and trellis drainage pattern with fine to moderate texture and V-shape gully between branch
ridges. It exhibits grey photo tone of dense vegetation. Part of the unit shows circular features
like volcanic cone. The rock is high grey to high yellowish grey of thin to thick beds of fined
grained tuffaceous sandstone.
V5 Unit
The unit is interpreted to be metatuf of Gerik Formation. The V1 unit is distributed in
the west of the Transect area near Malaysia-Thailand border in Gunung Guak Rimau (3713)
and Gunung Daungsang (3598) mountainous terrain. The remote sensing characteristic of
this unit is high relief topography (mountain landform). Main ridge and unit orientation are in
NS direction. Main ridge has sharp characteristic, curve, convex and branches irregularly.
The ridges branch angular to the main ridge. The unit has dendritic drainage pattern with
coarse/ moderate texture and V-shape gully. It has light grey photo tone, dense vegetation
and forest landuse. Part of the unit shows circular features like volcanic cone. Based on the
field observation, the lithology of the area is metatuff.
30
V6 Unit
The unit is interpreted to be tuffaceous shale and minor chert of the Gerik Formation.
The V6 unit is distributed in the southwestern part of the Transect area near the MalaysiaThailand border. The remote sensing characteristic of this unit is low relief topography
(narrow hilly landform). It has a N-S main ridge with sharp characteristic, curve, concave.
The branches are perpendicular to the main ridge. The unit has trellis drainage pattern with
fine/moderate texture and V-shape gully between the branches. It has light grey photo tone
and dense vegetation. Based on field observation, the lithology of the area is tuffaceous shale
and minor chert.
Distribution
The Gerik formation is widely exposed in the western part of the Transect area on the
Malaysian side but not exposed on the Thai side. It is fairly well exposed in the vicinity of
the Gerik town and Lawin area. This rock unit also crops out in the Temengor Dam site‟s
area. In the Transect area, the rock exposures can be observed along the East-West Highway
especially around the Banding Island area. The Gerik formation is also exposed in the
Kerunai area to the southwest of the Transect area. The eastern margin trends northward
from Temengor Dam area passing the East-West Highway and then Sungai Chachor to the
Main Range Granite mass at river mouth of Sungai Kejar in the central part of the Transect
area. Some good metasandstone outcrops can be observed at the river mouth of Sungai Ta
Eng.
Lithology
The Gerik formation consists of pyroclastic, calcareous, arenaceous and argillaceous
facieses. The pyroclastic facies consists mainly of tuffs of rhyolitic to rhyodacitic
composition. Interbeds of tuffs, limestone and calcareous shale also occur. These tuffaceous
rocks also contain variable amounts of clastic sediments of sandstone, limestone and lenses
of calcareous shale. In places, foliation can be seen in the groundmass of the tuffs as a result
of regional metamorphism. The most altered rocks show clearer schistose texture (Figures 23
& 24). Burton (1986) reported that no lava flows were recognised when he studied the Gerk
tuff. However a weak flow structure shown by the alignment of prismatic K-feldspar
phenocrysts was observed at a road-cut near the Kuala Rui Police station, to the west of
Gerik township in the Pengkalan Hulu-Betong Transect area. The flow direction is towards
330o (The Malaysia-Thailand Working Group, 2010).
The arenaceous facies comprises of tuffaceous sandstone and sandstone. The rock is
fine-grained and light grey to grey in colour. The tuffaceous sandstone can be observed along
the East-West Highway (Figures 25 & 26). This N-S trending formation which dips steeply
eastwards and westwards consists of greenish grey to light grey, thick-bedded to massive,
fine- to medium-grained tuffaceous sandstones. The rocks are generally metamorphosed to
metasandstones. The good outcrops of fine-grained grey sandstone can be observed at river
mouth of Sungai Ta Eng (Figure 27). Cross bedding structure can be observed in parts
(Figure 28).
31
Figure 23: Deformed metatuff of the Gerik Formation
expose at river mouth of Sungai Kenarong.
Figure 24: Deformed metatuff of the Gerik Formation
expose at river mouth of Sungai Kenarong.
The N-S trending ridge from the river mouth of Sungai Semilian at northern part of the
Temengor Lake to Sungai Banun is represented by deformed sedimentary rocks of the Gerik
formation. Quartz-mica schist occupies an N-S trending belt whose eastern margin is in
contact with the western margin of the Main Range Granite. The rock is grey to dark grey
and greenish grey in colour which consists of elongated quartz, biotite and muscovite. Some
biotite altered to chlorite due to weathering process.
In the Transect area, the unmappable calcareous facies of the Gerik formation is well
exposed in the Temengor Lake as small lenses between arenaceous facies and pyroclastic
facies. One of the good outcrops can be observed at the river mouth of Sungai Gadong i.e at
5o 36.759‟ N, 101o 18.977‟ E (Figures 29 and 30). Generally, limestone in the calcareous
facies is metamorphosed to light grey to grey marble.
The argillaceous facies of Gerik formation comprises of tuffaceous shale, shale,
carbonaceous shale, siliceous shale and ribbon chert. The N-S trending ridge from the upper
reach of Sungai Chinchong at westhern part of the Transect area to river mouth of Sungai
Kedah and road cut of East-West Highway. Radiolarian bearing pelagic sediments comprises
pelagic chert and siliceous shale occurred at several localities along the East-West Highway.
One of the good outcrop can be observed at Km 18.6 East-West Highway (5o 31.655‟ N,
101o 14.790‟ E) which comprises subvertical to vertical strata of well-bedded light grey to
grey chert and silliceous shale interbedded with thin beds of shale (Figure 31). At this
locality the bedding thickness ranges from 5 cm to 10 cm. The shale beds become prominent
and thicker towards the east. Another outcrop is at a locality along the old stretch of the
highway (5o 31.633‟ N, 101o 17.633‟ E) where the rock sequence is made up of thinlybedded siliceous shale interbedded with thin beds of shale with bedding thickness of 2 cm to
10 cm; and strike and dip, 140o/30o (Figure 32).
32
Figure 25: Tuffaceous sandstone expose at Km 34 of
the East-West Highway.
Figure 26: Close-up of the tuffaceous sandstone
expose at Km 34 of the East-West
Highway.
Figure 27: Bedded metasandstone at Sungai Ta Eng.
Figure 28: Cross-bedding in the metasandstone bed.
Figure 29: Calcareous facies expose at the river
mouth of Sungai Gadong.
Figure 30: Calcareous facies expose at river mouth
of Sungai Gadong.
33
Figure 31:
Subvertical to vertical strata of wellbedded light grey to grey radiolarian
bearing chert and silliceous shale
interbedded with thin beds of shale at
Km
18.6
East-West
Highway
(5o 31.655‟ N, 101o 14.790‟ E).
Figure 32: Thinly-bedded
radiolarian
bearing
siliceous shale interbedded with thin beds
of shale located at the old stretch of the
East-West Highway (5o 31.633‟ N,
101o 17.633‟ E).
Age and Correlation
Jones (1970) suggested that the age of Grik tuff (now Gerik formation) might be Late
Ordovician. Burton (1986) interpreted the age of the Grik tuff as Middle Ordovician.
However, Middle Ordovician to Early Silurian age was thought to be more possibility for this
pyroclastic rock. The presence of Anisopyge sp. and Phillipsia sp. (trilobite) in the calcareous
shale interbeded with tuff and dark grey impure limestone at Batu 2, Gerik in the Pengkalan
Hulu-Betong Transect area strongly indicates Middle Permian age of the clastic sediments
(The Malaysia-Thailand Working Group, 2010).
During the joint field check of the Malaysia-Thailand Working Group along the EastWest Highway, Northeastern Perak in March 2010, several radiolarian bearing chert and
siliceous shale samples had been collected from two localities along the highway. The first
locality was at Km 18.6 East-West Highway (5o 31.655‟ N, 101o 14.790‟ E); and the second
locality was at a locality along the old stretch of the highway (5o 31.633‟ N, 101o 17.633‟ E).
The radiolarians yield from the samples had been examined by Dr. Duongrutai
Saesaengseerung of DMR, Thailand. Based on diagnostic features observed under the
microscope, the radiolarian specimens discovered from both localities were identified as
Follicucullus sp., Gustefana sp., Latentifistula sp., Triplanospongos sp. and Albaillella sp.
Some specimens resemble Follicucullus scholasticus and Albaillella levis which are
important fauna. The age of these fauna are estimated as Capitanian to Changhsingian of
Middle to Late Permian.
34
Depositional Environment
Based on the well-bedded characteristic of the tuff, together with the presence of
epiclastic materials as well as the fact that the tuff is interbedded with argillaceous, siliceous
and calcareous materials at some places, this formation is interpreted as pyroclastic origin.
The volcanism might occur subaerially but the deposition of the erupted materials was in
marine environment (Jones, 1970). Sia (1989) reported that the occurrence of fossil algae
within the calcareous rocks in the tuff might indicate that the deposition was probably
occurred in the shallow marine environment. The presence of sandstone with cross bedding,
grit and conglomerate indicate that this sequent was deposited as the submarine fan. The
fine-grained pelagic sediments comprised of chert and siliceous shale was deposited in the
deeper part i.e. at the outer (distal) submarine fan.
3.1.6 Surficial Deposits
Recent surficial deposits comprise unconsolidated gravel, sand, silt and clay of fluviatile
and colluvial origin deposited in the non-marine environment overlying the major river
valleys and low lying areas.
On the Malaysian side, based on remote sensing interpretation, the surficial deposit is
named as A1 Unit and described below:
A1 Unit
The unit is interpreted to be alluvium. The A1 unit is distributed in the east part of the
Transect area from Malaysia-Thailand border in the north and along Kalai and Pergau river
to the southwest. The remote sensing characteristic of this unit is low flat topography with
principal stream in U shape valley. The principal stream branches irregularly. It has light
grey poto tone, agriculture vegetation and settlement landuse. The unit occur along Kalai and
Pergau Kalai River contains gravel, sand and silt, underlying the floodplain even the
limestone from karst topography in Kg. Batu area.
3.2
Igneous Rocks
3.2.1 Introduction
The igneous rock in study area consists predominantly of granitic rock. The Indosinian
Orogeny is presumed to have been evolved by the subduction of a continental crustal plate
(the western part) and an oceanic crustal plate (the eastern part) which is accompanied by the
granite emplacements (Metcalfe, 2000). Geologically, the granitic rocks in Peninsular
Malaysia are distributed as linear masses parallel to the Bentong-Raub Suture Zone. Malayan
orogeny is presumed by the subduction of a continental crustal plate (the western part) and an
oceanic crustal plate (the eastern part) which is accompanied by the granite emplacements.
35
In Malaysia, the granites can be divided into three belts based on lithology and
petrochemistry of the granite, namely, the Main Range Belt, the Central Belt and the Eastern
Belt. The Main Range granite which consists of S-type, ilmenite series granitoids, intruded
into the Paleozoic host rocks during the Permo-Triassic period. The Central Belt granite
consists mainly of S-type, ilmenite series granitoids of Triassic age with minor intrusion of
Cretaceous I-type, magnetite series granitoids. The Eastern Belt granite consists mainly of Itype, magnetite series granitoids and intruded into Palaeozoic host rocks during the PermoTriassic period. The country rocks of the Main Range Province are separated from those of
the Eastern Province by a structure designated the Raub-Bentong line (Hutchison, 1977).
Later, Cobbing et al. (1986) divided the granites into two provinces Main Range granite
and Eastern granite comprises of the Central belt plutons, the Eastern belt plutons and the
Cretaceous plutons. The Main Range granite has been regarded to be constituted exclusively
of S-type granites of mainly Triassic age (Bignell and Snelling, 1977 and Liew and Page,
1985; Hutchison, 1977; Cobbing et al., 1986; Hutchison, 1996). In contrast, the Eastern
province granite is dominated by I-type with subordinate compositional overlap S-type
granites of Permo-Triassic age (Bignell &Snelling, 1977; Hutchison, 1977). Small I-type
plutons of Cretaceous age are present in the central part of the Peninsular Malaysia (Bignell
& Snelling, 1977).
Muenlek et al. (1982) recorded three granite phases which were classified as gneissic
granite, coarse-grained porphyritic biotite granite and tourmaline-muscovite granite in
published a regional geological map of Narathiwat sheet on scale 1:250,000.
Finally, Cobbing et al. (1992) completed the Southeast Asian granite project including
geological map of individual granite plutons, petrography, geochemistry classification and
Rb/Sr age determination, and classified the granite in Southeast Asia into three granite
provinces. The eastern granite province is composed mainly of Triassic I-type, magnetite
series granitoids with minor compositional overlapping with S-type granitoids. The minor
intrusion of isolated Cretaceous I-type, magnetite series is also present in this province. The
western granite province consists of a mixture of S-type and I-type granites of Cretaceous
age. The Main Range granite province and Northern Thai migmatite province composed
mainly of Triassic S-type, ilmenite series granitoids. However, minor intrusions of isolated
Cretaceous I-type, magnetite series granite plutons can be found in the northern Thai
magmatite granite province.
In term of age, the Main Range Batholith had been radiometrically dated at 198-220 Ma
(Late Triassic to Early Jurassic) ages (Hutchison, 2007). The summary of the geological
setting of the granites in Peninsular Malaysia is shown in Figure 33.
36
O
l
O
100 00
l
O
102 00
l
104 00
SCALE
T HA
ILAN
D
Km 50
0
50 Km
O
06
00 l
O
So
06
00 l
ut
h
C
66
hi
67
na
Se
GON
BET
ra
a
St
s
E
LIN
UB
RA
it
of
M
al
O
O
04
00 l
ac
04
00 l
ca
LEGEND
Western province
granite
Eastern province
granite
Cretaceous granite
O
02
00 l
66.
67.
68.
69.
70.
68
69
O
02
00 l
Noring granite
Kenerong granite
Batang Melaka granite
Gunung Ledang granite
Pulai granite
70
SINGAPORE
O
l
100 00 East of Greewich
O
l
102 00
O
l
104 00
Figure 33: Geological setting of the granites in Peninsular Malaysia (modified after, Bignell & Snelling,
1977; Hutchison, 1977; Cobbing et al., 1986; Cobbing et al., 1992).
On the Malaysian side, the granitic rocks cover approximately 903 square km (42%) of
the Transect area. The description of the granitic rocks in this report is mainly based on the
works of Mohamad Hussein et al., (in manuscript). During the present work in January 2010,
an attempt had been made to describe the selected outcrops and the surrounding geology in
the Transect area. Granitic rocks that are part of the Main Range Granite exposed in the
central part of the Transect area. The Main Range Granite comprises the Kabut granite
(Trgrkb), the Merah granite (Trgrmr) and Singor granite (Trgrsg). In this report, the granite in the
37
study area is classified into different salient sub-zones based on field geological setting,
structural and petrography supported by petrochemistry and petrogenesis analysis.
The simplified geological sequence of igneous rocks in the Transect area is shown in
Table 3. The distribution of granites in the Transect area is shown in Figure 34. Correlation
of the granites in the Transect area is summarised in Table 4.
Table 3:
Simplified geological sequence of igneous rocks on the Malaysian side of the Transect area.
Granite body
Description
Singor Granite
Leucocratic, fine- to medium-grained biotit-muscivittourmaline granite.
Merah Granite
Grey, fine- to medium-grained foliated bioite granite
Kabut Granite
Grey, fine- to medium-grained porphyrytic biotite granite.
Table 4: Correlation of igneous rocks on the Malaysian side of the Transect area
Malaysian side
Thai side
Malaysian/Thai side
Singor Granite
(Trgrsg)
Hala granite(Trgrhl)
Singor Granite/Hala
granite (Trgrsghl)
Merah Granite
(Trgrmr)
Budo Granite
(Trgrbd)
Merah/Budo Granite
(Trgrmr/bd)
Kabut Granite
(Trgrkt)
La Sa granite (Trgrls)
Kabut Granite/La Sa
granite (Trgrkt)
Chantarat Granite
(Trgrch)
Chantarat Granite
(Trgrch)
TRIASSIC
The N-S and NE-SW trending quartz dykes and some small igneous stocks or dykes
such as microgranite, aplite, pegmatite and lamprophyre usually intruded into the main
granite body and also into the country rocks, especially the Carboniferous-Permian
metasediments at the central and eastern parts of the Transect area. Contact metamorphism
and the associated late stage mineralization may be observed in the country rocks.
The Main Range Granite batholith is the main component of the Main Range Province
of Peninsular Malaysia (Cobbing et al., 1986). It is the most widely spread granite mass,
stretches from Melaka in the south to the Thailand frontier in the north. It forms the
mountainous country generally regarded as the backbone of Peninsular Malaysia and
emplaced mainly into the Silurian-Devonian and Carboniferous-Permian successions. This
granite is considered as the S-type granite (Bignell and Snelling, 1977; Liew and
38
Page, 1985). It composed mainly of ilmenite series with S-type affinity granitoids and is
typically related to cassiterite mineralisation. Late stage leucocratic granites are common
including aplite dykes, pegmatite dykes, and quartz-feldspar veins.
In the Transect area, the Main range granite can be classified into three textural types:
medium to coarse-grained porphyritic biotite granite, named as Kabut Granite, fine to
medium-grained foliated biotite granite, named as Merah granite and late phase fine to
medium-grained leucocratic biotite-muscovite granite, named as Singor Granite.
On its western margin, the Main Range Granite intruded the Upper Palaeozoic rocks
represented by the Carboniferous Kubang Pasu Formation (Ckp) and the Permian Gerik
formation (Pgk). On its eastern margin, the granite intruded the Carboniferous Tiang schist
(Cts).
On the Thai side, the study of granite geology in the Transect area was very limited due
to security reasons. However, there was an effort by the local DMR workers who were
assigned to carry out a geological mapping program in the southern part of the country.
39
Figure 34:
Distribution of granitic rocks exposed in the Transect area
40
3.2.2 Chantharat Granite (Trgrch)
Distribution
The Chantharat Granite (Trgrch) is only exposed on the Thai side. It can be traced along
the western flank of the Belum-Hala Transect area. In the Pengkalan Hulu-Betong Transect
area, this unit covers approximately 20% of the Transect area that can be observed on the
road-cuts along the local road from Ban Chantharat to Ban Ai Yoe Quin, and Ban Chantharat
to Ban Chulaporn 10.
Petrography
The vast majority of the Chantharat Granite (Trgrch) is characterized by its medium- to
coarse-grained, sparsely megacrystic to good megacrystic, unfoliated to weakly foliated
biotite granite. K-feldspar can be seen as large megacrysts of light grey to chalky white
colour with elongate to tabular and euhedral to subhedral habits. Plagioclase presents in
groundmass as chalky white colour, euhedral to subhedral crystals with tabular habit. Quartz
can be observed as anhedral to subhedral crystals, single and clusters. Cognate and accidental
xenoliths are also present in these rock. Dykes and veins are locally found along the intrusive
margins.
3.2.3 Kabut Granite/La Sa granite (Trgrkt/ls)
On the Malaysian side, the Kabut Granite (Trgrkt) is named after Bukit Kabut (Mohamad
Hussein et al., in manuscript), which is located at the southern part of topographic map sheet
no. 20 (Belum). On the Thai side, the La Sa granite (Trgrls) is named after Khao La Sa which
is located in the central part of topographic map sheet no. 52201 Khao Han Kut Quadrangle.
Distribution
The Kabut Granite/La Sa granite (Trgrkt/ls) is distributed on the northwestern and
southeastern part of the Transect area. In the northwestern part, the granite is in contact with
the Merah/Budo Granite (Trgrmr/bd), Chantarat Granite (Trgrch), Kubang Pasu/Yaha Formation
(Ckp/yh) and Betong Formation (SDbt). Whilst in the southeastern part, it is in contact with the
Merah/Budo Granite (Trgrmr/bd) and Tiang schist (Cts).
Petrography
The granite is grey in colour, medium- to coarse-grained and contains K-feldspar
megacrysts of up to 15-30% of the rock composition (Figures 35 & 36). The K-feldspar
megacrysts is grey in coloured, euhedral in shapes, particularly of prismatic, stubby and an
equant in shape. Their size mostly ranges from 1 cm up to 3 cm, but in several localities they
can reach up to 5 cm long. In places, the granite exhibits foliated texture formed by the
arrangement of K-feldspar megacrysts especially in the area closed to the minor late-phase
magma such as dyke or veins of quartz or lamprophyre. The equigranular variety exposed in
the contact zone with the Merah granite (Trgrmr) body.
41
Microscopically, the rock is granite in composition. It exhibits holocrystalline texture
and its grains are hypidiomorphic granular in shape. The major mineral constituents consist
of quartz (25-45%), K-feldspar (25-45%), plagioclase (35-50%) and biotite (5% to 15%).
Apatite, zircon, sphene, allanite and opaque minerals present as accessory minerals.
Figure 35:
Photographs of the Kabut Granit/La Sa
granite (Trgrkb/ls) in Malaysia at Km 56.6 of
the East-West Highway.
Figure 36: Photographs of the Kabut Granit/La Sa
granite (Trgrkb/ls) in Sungai Singor area on the
Malaysian side.
3.2.4 Merah Granite/Bu Do granite (Trgrmr/bd)
The Merah Granite (Trgrmr) is named after Gunung Hulu Merah, Upper Perak, Malaysia
whereas the Bu Do granite (Trgrbd) is named after Khao Bu Do located at Narathiwat
Province, Thailand.
Distribution
On the Malaysian side, the Merah Granite/Bu Do granite (Trgrmr/bd) is widely distributed
in the central part of the Transect area as a north-south trending mountainous belt. The Merah
Granite/Bu Do granite (Trgrmr/bd) was intruded into the Kabut granite (Trgrkb) in the northern
part of the Transect area indicating that the Merah Granite/Bu Do granite (Trgrmr/bd) is
younger than the Kabut Granite/La Sa granite (Trgrkb/ls). The contact of this granite can be
observed near Kg Belum Lama at the upper reaches of the Sg Perak. Photographs of the
Merah Granite/Bu Do granite (Trgrmr/bd) on the Malaysian side are shown in Figures 37 & 38.
On the Thai side, based on data from the Batu Melintang Sungai Kolok Transect area,
granite outcrops are widely exposed along the Ai So stream and the adjacent area. It forms a
N-S trending batholith from the Malaysia-Thailand border to Sisakhon District (Bu Do
mountain range), in the middle part of Sisakhon Quadrangle, northeast of the Transect area.
The Bu Do granite exposed northern part of the Transect area. The southern part of this unit
covers high terrain in the north of the Sungai Perak in Malaysia.
42
Petrography
The granite is characterised by grey, fine- to medium-grained showing a distinct
preferred orientation of biotite. It is moderate to strongly foliated striking from NNW to NNE
and dipping almost 60 to 80 degrees from the ENE to ESE. In places, the K-feldspar
phenocrysts are also observed as minor constituents.
Figure 37:
Photographs of the Merah Granite/Bu
Do granite (Trgrmr/bd) in Malaysia at
Sungai Kejar area. The foliation is
formed by a distinct preferred
orientation of biotite.
Figure 38:
Photographs of the Merah Granite/Bu Do
granite (Trgrmr/bd) in Malaysia at Km 56.6 of
the East-West Highway. Cognag xenoliths
made up of mafic minerals enrichment
particularly biotite can be seen at the EastWest Highway outcrop.
Microscopically, the rock shows holocrystalline texture and the grains are
hypidiomorphic granular. This rock consists of quartz (30-35%), K-feldspar (20-30%) and
oligoclase (20-30%). The mafic mineral is made up of biotite (5-10%). The accessory
minerals are sphene, apatite, zircon, and epidote. Flakes of biotite are mostly oriented,
kinked, deformed and interspaced between other minerals.
According to The Malaysian and Thai Working Groups (2006), on the Thai side, the Bu
Do granite (Trgrbd) forms an elongated north–south trending mountain range, starting from
Pattani Province in the east coast, extending southward to Yala and Narathiwat Provinces
north of the Malaysia–Thailand border. It is composed mainly of ilmenite series with S-type
affinity granitoids and is typically related to cassiterite mineralization. The major rock
forming minerals are quartz, K-feldspar, oligoclase and biotite, whereas subordinate
muscovite and tourmaline are locally present as accessory minerals. Late stage leucocratic
granites are abundant including aplite, pegmatite dykes, and quartz-feldspar veins. It is
43
noteworthy that the major granitic rocks in the Bu Do granite batholith are generally nonfoliated to slightly foliated. However, these rocks have been locally foliated along the margin
and are called the marginal facies.
Age
Bignell (1972) has done geochronological study for the Malaysian granites using both
K/Ar and Rb/Sr methods. He concluded that the Main Range Granite is 200 – 230 Ma in age
and the granite emplacement took place during the Triassic. Later on, Cobbing et al. (1992)
reported the Rb/Sr isochron age of 207 Ma for Songkhla granitoid and 221 Ma for Satun
granitoid. According to the field observation mentioned earlier by Cobbing et al. (1992), the
Bu Do granite batholith (in Thailand) is geographically located within the Main Range
granite province (in Thailand), which is represented by the Songkhla pluton. Therefore, the
age of the intrusion of the Bu Do granite is also Triassic. The Merah/Bu Do granite (Trgrmr/bd)
is, therefore, assigned by the Malaysia-Thailand Working Group to be of Triassic S-Type
granite.
3.2.5 Singor Granite/Hala granite (Trgrsg/hl)
The Singor granite (Trgrsg) is named after Sungai Singor a tributary of Sungai Perak that
is located in the south of the East-West Highway in the Temengor area (Mohamad Hussein et
al., in manuscript). Hala granite (Trgrhl) is named after Hala Forest Reserve located in Yala
and Narathiwat Provinces, Thailand.
Distribution
The Singor Granite (Trgrsg) occurs as small isolated bodies within the Merah/Bu Do
Granite (Trgrmr/bd) and Kabut Granite/La Sa granite (Trgrkb/ls) in the Sungai Perak area. This
granite also intruded into the country rocks, especially the Carboniferous Tiang schist (Cts),
within the fault zone and present as minor stocks in a few localities. However, this rock has
been locally foliated along its margin and is called the marginal facies. Figure 39 & 40 show
photographs of the Singor Granite (Trgrsg) on the Malaysian side.
44
Figure 39: Photographs of the Singor Granite/Hala
granite (Trgrsg/hl) in Malaysia at the Sungai
Singor area. Photograph shows the contact
of the Singor Granite/Hala granite (Trgrsg/hl)
with the Kabut Granite/La Sa granite
(Trgrkb/ls) (dark in colour).
Figure 40:
Photographs of the highly fractured
Singor Granite/Hala granite (Trgrsg/hl)
in Malaysia at the Sungai Kejar area.
Petrography
Singor Granite/Hala granite (Trgrsg/hl) is light grey or leucocratic, fine- to mediumgrained, equigranular to inequigranular biotite-muscovite granite. Tourmaline is also present
in significant amount.
Microscopically, it exhibits holocrystalline and alotriomorphic equigranular and
hypidiomorphic granular textures. The major mineral constituents consist of quartz (50%),
K-feldspar (30%) and plagioclase (15%). The mafic minerals (5% to 15%) are made up of
biotite and muscovite with occasional tourmaline (Figure 41). Apatite, zircon and opaque
minerals are present as accessory minerals.
Tourmaline and muscovite are characterised as detritus and deuteric minerals
respectively. These minerals indicate that the rock was formed at the late phase of the
magmatic differentiation. This granite also shows the characteristics and relics of the Merah
/Bu Do Granite (Trgrmr/bd) and Kabut Granite/La Sa granite (Trgrkb/ls) in parts, which suggests
that the Singor Granite/Hala granite (Trgrsg/hl) pluton was formed at the late stage of the
granitoid intrusion.
45
Figure 41: Microphotograph of Singor Granite/Hala granite (Trgrsg/hl) shows
euhedral to subhedral tourmaline at Sungai Palai.
3.2.6 Age and correlation
Bignell (1972) has conducted a geochronological study for the Malaysian granites using both
K/Ar and Rb/Sr methods. He concluded that the Main Range Granite is 200-230 Ma in age
and granite emplacement took place during the Triassic. Bignell and Snelling (1977) also
concluded that the age of the granite is Triassic. Liew and Page (1985), reported that the age
of the granite is 198 to 220 Ma (Late Triassic to Early Jurassic) based on U-Pb zircon dating
method.
46
4.0
STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY
4.1
Introduction
Based on remote sensing study, linear features are well developed in the all rock units
terrains. Bedding trends are well expressed in the sedimentary, volcanic and metamorphic
rock units but dips magnitudes are difficult to elucidate. The regional structural trend is
roughly N-S as expressed by the alignment of strike ridges and lithological boundaries.
Fracture lineaments are prominent and abundant in this area, particularly in the
granitoid, volcanic and metamorphic terrains with at least three main sets trending NE-SW,
NNW-SSE and E-W (see Figure 7). The major lineaments trending NE-SW are Selantan
Fault, Laho Fault, Cheng Fault, Jakal Fault and Belang Fault, whilst the NNW-SSW trends
are Ruok Fault and Makar Fault. The E-W trend is represented by Belum Fault, Tiang Fault,
Mendelum Fault and Banun Fault. Some circular features are also apparent in the volcanic
unit (crater?) and the granitoid unit (minor intrusion).
Pre-orogeny sedimentary successions in the Transect area are generally folded into a
series of synclines and anticlines. Folding is characterised by tight, asymmetric and open
folds, resulting in the repeated and overturn sequences in the older sedimentary rocks. The
NE-SW and N-S trending fold axes are sub-parallel to the long axis of the Malay Peninsula.
Historically, Malay Peninsula was formed as a result of the marine sedimentation took
place continuously throughout the Silurian-Devonian and Carboniferous-Permian periods,
then collision between Sinoburmalaya (Sibumasu/Shan Thai) block in the west and EastmalIndosinia block in the east. The collision zone is represented by the Bentong-Raub Suture
which can be traced northward into Thailand and southward into the Banka and Biliton
Islands. This collision accompanied by the major tectonic event during Middle to Late
Triassic has resulted in rock deformation in the Malay-Thai Peninsula especially along and
adjacent to the suture zone. Tectonic activities have affected most of the rock units that form
various structures such as folding, faulting, jointing and fracturing. It was followed by major
igneous intrusion that forms the Main Range granite to the west of the suture zone. The large
breaks of sedimentation can be observed due to the uplift of granitic rocks during the
Triassic.
The continent-continent collision has caused uplifting and faulting along an N-S
direction. Uplifting resulted in the formation of N-S trending of the granite mountainous
range in the area. Pre-collisional rocks are fractured along the N-S direction as can be
observed in the Tiang schist and Mangga formation as well as in the Gerik Formation.
However, some major structures especially in the eastern part of the Transect area may have
been affected by the younger Cretaceous Noring granite intrusion and multi direction
fractures.
Tectonically, the Transect area was formed by the collision of two tectonic terranes: the
Sibumasu terrane in the west and Indochina terrane in the east which is separated by the N-S
trending former subduction zone known recently as the Bentong-Raub Suture Zone.
47
On the Malaysian side, the structural geology of the Transect area generally corresponds
to the regional tectonic pattern of the Peninsular Malaysia. However, detailed mapping has
revealed that, in some places, the local structures appear to have a slight variance as
compared to the regional pattern. It is believed that the active period of tectonic activity
during the Triassic. For example the Bentong-Raub Suture Zone was responsible for the
formation of major structures in the Transect area. The igneous intrusion and uplifting also
occurred during this time.
In Thailand, Khositanont (2004) have concluded that the Ka Toh-Buyong fault zone in
the Batu Melintang-Sungai Kolok Transect area is the northward extension of the BentongRaub Suture Zone and represents a continent-continent suture on the Thai-Malay Peninsula.
The younger NE-SW and NW-SE fractures, which can be prominently observed in both
igneous and sedimentary host rocks, may have been resulted from the movement of the major
fault along the Malaysia–Thailand border.
4.2
Bedding
Bedding trends that roughly parallel with the foliation still can be observed in the
metasediments.
Graded bedding and cross bedding can be observed in some of the arenite beds
especially in the Kubang Pasu/Yaha Formation. No other sedimentary structures observed.
This might be due to the regional metamorphism that accompanying the folding and faulting
acted on the rock and destroyed all the sedimentary structures.
4.3
Foliation
The foliation is formed by subparallel to parallel alignment of the light and dark
coloured minerals in the rocks. This can be observed in the metasediments. In the Transect
area, foliation also can be observed in the granitic rock especially in the Merah/Bu Do
Granite (Trgrmr/bd). Foliation in the granite is believed to be formed as a result of crystalplastic process during the crystallization of the rock.
4.4
Folding
Pre-orogeny sedimentary successions in the Transect area are generally folded into a
series of synclines and anticlines that can be interpreted from the bedding‟s strike analysis.
Folding is characterised by tight, asymmetric and open folds, which cause the repeated and
overturn sequence in the older sedimentary rock. Generally folds are trending in the NE-SW
to N-S direction and the fold axes are sub-parallel to the long axis of the Malay Peninsula.
The synclinal and anticlinal axes can be recognised in the western side of the Transect area.
Other minor folds are present with small magnitude. Most of the bedding planes dip towards
the east with various dip angles.
48
4.5
Faulting
Faulting is widespread throughout the Transect area. Faults generally vary in width,
characterised by fractured, sheared or mylonitised rocks with the presence of slickensided
surfaces. However, in most cases it is very hard to observe traces of fault zones in the field
due to the thick soil cover and deep tropical weathering. Aerial photographs interpretation
and field evidences indicate that there are two prominent fault directions in the Transect area
i.e. NW and NE trending sets (see Figure 7). There are several faults, which are mainly of
strike-slip and normal faults, trending, NW-SE, NNW-SSE and NE-SW. Of these, the NWSE trending faults are the main fault of the Transect area. Among the major faults are Ruok
Fault (NNW-SSE), Jakal Fault (NNE-SSW), Laho Fault (NE-SW), Belang Fault (NE-SW),
Belum Fault, Tiang Fault, Mendelum Fault and Banun Fault (E-W).
Syed Sheikh Almashoor and Tjia (1987) reported the prominent fault in the Transect
area is named as the Ruok Fault. Based on Landsat image interpretation, the fault zone that
trends in the NNW-SSE direction covers a 4 km wide zone of tonal and topographic
lineaments that extend from Mae Nam Pattani in the north, in 165o direction, trends parallel
with Sungai Kenerong and than probably ends at Sungai Sara in the south (Figures 42 & 43).
The fault crosses the East-West Highway at Km 184 towards Kota Baharu (208 km towards
Ipoh, 05o 34.521‟ N, 101o 24.289‟ E), where it can be observed within the quartz-mica schist
and phyllitic rocks with northerly strike and steeply dip foliation (Figure 44). Numerous
sigmoidal quartzs (Figure 45) within the schist and phyllite indicates left-lateral strike-slip
movement (Syed Sheikh Almashoor and Tjia, 1987).
In some places, faults formed the lithological contact between the granites and the
metasedimentary rocks. These can be observed along parts of the Laho Fault, Sungai Dadek
and Jakal Fault in the Transect area. Major faults might have been formed during the Late
Triassic because they cut the earlier Triassic igneous rocks.
4.6
Jointing
Joints can be observed in all rock types. Most of the joints are steeply dipping. There are
also minor subhorizontal joints. Joints system analysis on the granite around Sungai Singor
revealed the main deformation (P) in the 126o - 306o direction. Whereas the joints in the
granite body in the central part of the Transect area lies in the 015o-195o direction, the joints
in the metasedimentary rocks around the Sungai Tiang area is 023o - 203o.
49
No rth
Zone
LINEAMENT
Fracture
Khlong
The Pho
Ridge
Strike valley and
indistinct lineament
10
0
20
Fault
No
rt h
Kilometres
TEMENGGOR
RESERVOIR
a
S. Ti
ng
Banding
East - West hig hway
ak
Ruok
S. Pe
r
or
No
rt h
S. Sin
g
Landsat 3
10 Jan 1979
Figure 42:
Lineaments interpreted as the Ruok Fault Zone that almost parallel with the Temengor Lake
orientation (after Syed Sheikh Almashoor and Tjia, 1987).
50
INDEX MAP
LEGEND
Ban Nang
Sata
F
Fault
Road
River
F
International
boundary
State
boundary
KEDAH
0
KILOMETERS
10
20
S. Patt ani
T HA ILA N D
erak
S. P
Betong
S.
Ke
S.
ng
Tia
g
ron
ne
Keroh
S. Pergau
erak
S. Sa
KE
ra
P E R AK
TA
F
N
S. P
LA
Gerik
N
S. Singor
Figure 43:
Location of the Ruok Fault Zone (after Syed Sheikh Almashoor and Tjia, 1987)
51
Figure 44:
The Ruok Fault Zone crosses the EastWest Highway at km 184 towards Kota
Baharu (208 km towards Ipoh)
(05o 34.521‟ N, 101o 24.289‟ E), where it
can be observed within the quartz-mica
schist with northerly strike and steeply
dip foliation.
52
Figure 45:
Numerous sigmoidal quartzs within the
schist in the Ruok Fault Zone at km 184
towards Kota Baharu (05o 34.521‟ N,
101o 24.289‟ E).
5.0
MINERALS AND OTHER NATURAL RESOURCES
5.1
Introduction
The Transect area is not known for its economic deposits as there are no records
of prospecting and mining in the past. However, prospecting and mining activities
have been carried out in the Batu Melintang-Sungai Kolok and Pengkalan HuluBetong Transect areas in the Kalai, Berusong and Kelian Intan in Malaysia, and Tham
Thalu and To Mo areas in Thailand (The Malaysian-Thai Working Group, 2006 &
2010).
On the Thai side, mineral potential area in the Belum-Hala Transect area has
been studied by DMR using airborne geophysic and magnetic anomaly since 2003.
The mineralization is related to the contact metamorphism of granite intrusions and
country rocks, and subsequent hydrothermal activities. The Pb-Zn sulphide mineral
potential area, along the Hala stream, near the Malaysia-Thailand border is observed.
Mineralization was interpreted to occur in the contact zone between the granite and
country rocks. High magnetic anomaly similar to those of the Pb-Zn sulphide model
of the Tham Ta Lu area in Bannang Sata District was identified. The other Sn-W
mineral potential area was proven in Ban Ai Yoe Quin, at the edge of the eastern part
of the Belum-Hala Transect area. Mining activities in the surrounding of the Transect
area is shown in Figure 46.
53
Figure 46: Mining activities in the surrounding areas.
5.2
Geochemical Exploration
On the Malaysian side, regional geochemical survey had been carried out by a
group of geologists of Minerals and Geoscience Department in 1991 to 1993 covering
Topographical Map Sheets 11 (Gunung Ulu Merah), 19 (Kerunai) and 20 (Belum)
areas. Stream sediment and rock samples were collected for geochemical study. As a
result, several multi-elements anomalous areas were identified; of which seven of
them are situated in the Belum-Hala Transect area (Figure 47). Pertinent information
on these anomalies including element associations, area extent, underlying geology,
the number of anomalous samples and the range of values is summarized in Table 5.
Anomalies are ranked from one to four in descending order of follow-up priority.
54
Follow-up work is not recommended for anomalies with a rating of four. Descriptions
of first-, second- and third-order anomalies are given below.
Anomaly 1901 [Sn, W, U (As, Ag, Zn, Pb)]
Anomaly 1901 is situated in the upper reaches of Sungai Kenarong, close to the
Malaysia-Thailand border. The area covers approximately 20 square km and is
underlain by arenaceous rocks of the Carboniferous Kubang Pasu Formation, intruded
by small granitic stock. Anomalous elements are Sn, W and U as well as As, Ag, Pb
and Zn. Sn value ranging from 40 ppm to 160 ppm whereas W ranging from 3 to
20 ppm and U ranges from 2 to 19.8 ppm. This anomaly is rated as Priority 3 which
requires possible follow-up for Sn, W and U.
Anomaly 1903 [Au, Cu, Co (Mn, Ni, Hg)]
Anomaly 1903 is situated on the western part of the Transect area. It covers
approximately 27 square km in the headwaters of Sungai Kedah and Sungai Cermin.
The area is underlain by arenaceous and argillaceous rocks of the Permian Gerik
formation, intruded by small dolerite dyke. This is essentially an Au-Cu-Co anomaly
with less extensive anomalies for Mn, Ni and Hg. Gold value in stream sediment is
0.05 to 10.049 ppm whereas in heavy mineral concentrate it gives maximum tenor
value 3.2 mg/m3. Anomalous Cu and Co are found in Sungai Cermin. Their values in
stream sediment are ranging from 60 to 300 ppm and 22 to 103 ppm respectively.
This anomaly was rated as Priority 2 that requires eventual follow-up for Au, Cu and
Co.
Anomaly 2001 [Sn, As, W (Zn, Au)]
This is predominantly Sn-As-W anomaly, located in the Sungai Palai drainage. It
covers an area of at least 43 square km. The rocks underlying this anomaly are
predominantly quartz-mica schist of the Tiang Schist that intruded by small stocks of
Singor Granite. The area is cut by NE-SW fault that runs parallel to the Laho Fault.
Tin and tungsten show high anomalous geochemical values in the stream sediment
where anomalous Sn values range from 20 to 40 ppm and W from 4 to 12 ppm.
Anomalous Sn values are randomly distributed over the area whereas As and W show
good association. This anomaly is given Priority 3 which requires possible follow-up.
Anomaly 2002 [Sn, Ag, W, As (Pb, Ni, U)]
This multi-element anomaly, located in the upper reaches of Sungai Dadek and
tributaries of Sungai Mangga with an areal extent of 51 square km. High geochemical
values are centred over the NE-SW Jakal Fault and unnamed NW-SE fault which
demarcates the contact between the Triassic Kabut Granite and the Carboniferous
Tiang schist. This anomaly is highlighted by Sn associated with Ag, W and As. It is
defined by thirteen anomalous stream sediment samples containing Sn values ranging
from 20 to 30 ppm and also anomalous values of Ag (39 samples), W (15 samples)
55
and As (19 samples). Anomalous values of Pb, Ni and U also occur. This anomaly is
given a Priority 2 and should be followed up to assess the tin and tungsten potential.
Figure 47:
Anomaly map of the Transect area.
56
Table 5: Summary of anomalies on the Malaysian side of the Transect area.
Anomaly
No.
1901
Element(s)
Sn, W, U
(As, Ag, Zn, Pb)
Area
(km2)
20
1903
Au, Cu, Co
(Mn, Ni, Hg)
27
2001
Sn, As, W
(Zn, Au)
43
2002
Sn, Ag, W, As
(Pb, Ni, U)
51
Range in ppm
(No. of anomalous samples)
Sn 40-160 (11)
W 3-20 (10)
U 2-19 (10)
As 8-120 (4)
Ag 0.08-0.4 (12)
Zn 110-260 (10)
Pb 6-60 (4)
Au 0.015-10.049 (9)
Cu 60-300 (5)
Co 22-103 (5)
Mn 5,000-6130 (2)
Ni 16-83 (3)
Hg 0.05-0.16 (2)
*Gold tenor: 3.2 mg/m3
Sn 20-40 (31)
As 10-200 (22)
W 4-12 (8)
Zn 127-142 (2)
Au 0.083-0.324 (2)
Sn 20-30 (13)
Ag 0.6-1.0 (39)
W 8-40 (15)
As 10-60 (19)
Pb 51-96 (5)
Ni 49-55 (3)
U 6.2-14.2 (8)
Note:
Priority 1 indicates high priority rating - warrants immediate follow-up
Priority 2 indicates moderate priority - requires follow-up
Priority 3 indicates low priority - possible follow-up
57
Geology
Arenaceous rocks of Carboniferous Kubang Pasu
Formation, intruded by small granitic stock
Priority
Rating
3
Arenaceous and argillaceous rocks of Permian
Gerik formation, intruded by small dolerite dyke
2
Predominantly quartz-mica schist of the Tiang
schist intruded by small stocks of Singor Granite,
microgranite, lamprophyre as well as quartz
veins.
3
Contact aureole between the Kabut Granite and
Tiang schist. Fault zone striking NE-SW and
NW-SE
2
5.3
Other Geological Resources
Other potential geological resources in the Transect area are rock aggregates and
dimension stone. The reserves are sufficient enough to be quarried for construction materials.
The granite supplies are available mainly from the Merah and Kabut Granites. There are three
abandoned quarries, which previously supplied rocks aggregate for the construction of the
East-West Highway, such as at Km 61.6 (05o 36.057‟ N, 101o 30.532‟ E) and at Km 63.3 (05o
36.345‟ N, 101o 31.181‟ E) as shown in Figures 48 and 49 respectively.
Figure 48:
Abandoned granite quarry at Km 61.6 of
the East-West Highway.
Figure 49: Abandoned granite quarries at Km 63.3 of
the East-West Highway.
58
6.0
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
6.1
Discussion
i.
Lithostratigraphically, the Betong Formation (SDbt) is the oldest rock unit exposed
in the Transect area. However this rock unit is not exposed on the Malaysian side
within the Transect area.
ii.
Structurally, the Tiang schist (Cts) was affected by the tectonic activity along the
Bentong-Raub Suture Zone that can be observed along the eastern margin of the
rock unit and the intrusion of the Main Range Granite in its western margin.
iii.
The Carboniferous Kubang Pasu/Yaha Formation (Ckp/yh) is distributed in the
central and western parts of the Transect area. The rocks are metamorphosed to
metasandstone, hornfels, phyllite and schist due to the Main Range Granite
intrusion. The Kubang Pasu/Yaha Formation (Ckp/yh) is conformably overlain by
the Permian Gerik formation.
iv.
The Carboniferous-Permian Mangga formation (CPmg) was affected by the
tectonic activity along the Bentong-Raub Suture Zone. Pelagic sediments within
the Bentong Raub Suture Zone contain the radiolarian Follicuculus sp. suggesting
a Permian age.
v.
The Permian rock unit in the Transect area is represented by the Gerik formation
(Pgk) comprising predominantly tuffaceous sediments. Radiolarian fauna
discovered in the siliceous sediments within this rock unit were identified as
Follicucullus sp., Gustefana sp., Latentifistula sp., Triplanospongos sp. and
Albaillella sp. Some specimens resemble the important fauna of Follicucullus
scholasticus and Albaillella levis. The age of these fauna are estimated as
Capitanian to Changhsingian of Middle to Late Permian (Saesaengseerung, pers.
comm., 2011).
vi.
Surficial deposits comprise unconsolidated gravel, sand, silt and clay of fluviatile
and colluvial origin deposited in the non-marine environment overlying the major
river valleys and low lying areas.
vii.
The granite in the Transect area can be divided into four units; namely, in
ascending order:
a. the Chantarat Granite (Trgrch) – medium- to coarse-grained, sparsely
megacrystic to good megacrystic, unfoliated to weakly foliated biotite granite.
b. the Kabut Granite/La Sa granite (Trgrkb/ls) – grey, fine- to medium-grained,
porphyrytic biotite granite
c. the Merah/Bu Do Granite (Trgrmr/bd) – grey, fine- to medium-grained, foliated
biotite granite
59
d. the Singor Granite/Hala granite (Trgrsghl) – Leucocratic, fine- to mediumgrained biotite-muscovite granite with occasional tourmaline.
viii The main structural feature in the Transect area is Ruok Fault. The fault zone
trends NNW-SSE extending from Mae Nam Pattani in the north, in 165o
direction, parallel with Sungai Kenerong and than probably ends at Sungai Sara in
the south.
6.2 Conclusion
i.
The marine sedimentation in the Transect area took place continuously throughout the
Paleozoic Eras. Nevertheless, the large breaks can be observed due to the uplift of
granitic rocks during the Triassic.
ii. On the Thai side of the Transect area, the photogeological interpretation which have been
correlated with the previous geological data and information revealed the rock units in
the Transect area are as follows in ascending order:
a. ST1 and ST2 units correlatable with the Silurian-Devonian Kroh/Betong
Formation (SDkr/bt),
b. ST3 unit correlatable with the Carboniferous Kubang Pasu/Yaha Formation
(Ckp/yh),
c. ST4 unit correlatable with the Tiang schist
iii. The Silurian-Devonian Betong Formation (SDbt), Tiang schist (Cts), the Kubang
Pasu/Yaha Formation (Ckp/yh), the Mangga formation (CPmg) and the Gerik formation
(Pgk) were deposited on the Sibumasu terrane. All these Palaeozoic rocks in the Transect
area were subsequently intruded, faulted against, and metamorphosed by the Triassic
Main Range Granite.
iv. Based on regional geochemical survey carried out by the Minerals and Geoscience
Department Malaysia during 1991 to 1993, seven multi-elements anomalous areas had
been identified on the Malaysian side of the Transect area.
v. Rock aggregates and dimension stone have the potential to be exploited in the Transect
area.
60
SELCTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bignell, J.D., 1972. The Geochronology of the Malayan granites. Phd. Thesis, University of Oxford. pp.
174,175,291 (unpublished).
Bignell, J.D. & Snelling, N.J., 1977. Geochronology of Malayan granites. Overseas Geological and Mineral
Resources, 47, H.M.S.O. London.
Burton, C.K., 1970. The geology and mineral resources of the Baling area, Kedah and Perak. Geological
Survey Department West Malaysia Memoir, 12, 150pp.
Burton, C.K., 1972. Outline of the geological evolution of Malaya. Journal of Geology, 80, 293 – 309.
Burton, C.K., 1986. The Baling Group/Bannang Sata Group of the Malay/Thai Peninsula. Journal of Southeast
Asian Earth Sciences, 1(2), 93 – 106, Tokyo University Press.
Chu, L.H., Muntanion, H., Sidik, A., Chand, F. and Troup, A., 1982. Regional geochemistry of South
Kelantan. Geological Survey Malaysia. Geochemical Report 1.,59 p.
Cobbing, E.J., Mallick, D.I.J., Pitfield, F.E.J. & Teoh, L.H., 1986. The granites of the South East Asian Tin
Belt. Journal of the Geological Society, London, 143, 537-550.
Cobbing E.J., Pitfield, P.E.J., Darbyshire, D.P.F. & Mallick, D.I.J., 1992. The granites of the Southeast Asia tin belt,
Overseas Memoir of the British Geological Survey no. 10, 369 p.
Geological Society of Malaysia, 1997. The Malaysian Stratigraphic Guide, 30p.
Gupta Ravi, P., 1991. Remote Sensing Geology. Spinger-Verlag, Berlin Hidelberg, Germany, 356 p.
Haile, N.S., 1973. The recognition of former subduction zones in the Southeast Asia. In: Tarling, D.H. &
Runcorn, S.K. (eds.) Implication of continental drift in the earth sciences, 2. 885-892, Academic Press,
London.
Hutchison, C.S., 1973. Tectonic evolusion of Sundaland: a Phanerozoic synthesis. Geological Society of
Malaysia Bulletin, 6, 61-86.
Hutchison, C.S., 1975. Ophiolite in Southeast Asia. Geological Society of America Bulletin 86, 797–806.
Hutchison, C.S., 1977. Granite emplacement and tectonic subdivision of Peninsular Malaysia. Bulletin of the
Geological Society of Malaysia, 9, Special Circum-Pacific Volume, 187-207.
Hutchison, C.S., 1989. Geological Evolution of South-East Asia. Clarendon press, Oxford. 368 p.
Hutchison, C.S., 2007. Geological Evolution of South-East Asia. 2nd Edition. Geological Society of Malaysia,
433 p.
Hutchison, C.S., 2009. Bentong-Raub Suture. In: Hutchison, C.S. and Tan, Denis N.K. (eds.) Geology of
Peninsular Malaysia, University of Malaya and Geological Society of Malaysia, 43 – 53.
Hutchison, C.S. and Taylor, D. 1978. Metallogenesis in South-East Asia. Journal of Geological Society,
London, 135, 407-428., 7 figs, 5 tab.
Jones, C.R. 1970. The geology and mineral resources of the Grik area, Upper Perak. Geological Survey of West
Malaysia District Memoir 11.
Jones, C.R., 1981. Geology and mineral resources of the Perlis, North Kedah and the Langkawi Islands.
Geological Survey Department West Malaysia Memoir, 17, 257pp.
Khoo, T.T. 1980. Some comments on the emplacement level of the Kemahang granite, Kelantan. Bull. Geol.
Soc. Malaysia 13. P. 93-101.
Khoo, T.T. 1983. Nature of the contact between the Taku Schist and adjacent rocks in the Manek Urai area,
Kelantan and its implications. Geological Society Malaysia 16, p. 139-195.
61
Khositanont S. (2004). The proposed Katoh - Buyong fault zones ; the northward extension of the Bentong Raub line in the Southern Thai Peninsular. Technical Report No. BGS 7/2004, Bangkok: Bureau of
Geological Survey DMR 24 p.
Lee, C.P., 2009. Palaeozoic Stratigraphy. In: Hutchison, C.S. and Tan, Denis N.K. (eds.) Geology of Peninsular
Malaysia, University of Malaya and Geological Society of Malaysia, 55 – 86.
Liew, T.C. and Page, R.W., 1985. U-Pb zircon dating of granitoid plutons from the West Coast Province of
Peninsular Malaysia. Journal of Geological Society of London, 142, 515-526.
MacDonald, S., 1953. Field notes volume I, Geologist Kelantan. Geological Survey Malaysia (unpublished ).
MacDonald, S., 1955. Brief notes on the geology of the valleys of the Pergau and Lebir, Kelantan. Geological
Survey, Federation of Malaya (unpublished).
MacDonald, S, 1967. Geology and mineral resources of North Kelantan and North Terengganu. Geological
Survey Department Memoir, 10, 202 p.
Malaysian-Thai Working Group, 2006. Geology of the Batu Melintang – Sungai Kolok Transect area along
the Malaysia-Thailand Border. Geological Papers Volume 8. Minerals and Geoscience Department,
Malaysia.
Malaysian-Thai Working Group, 2010. Geology of the Pengkalan Hulu-Betong Transect area along the
Malaysia-Thailand Border. Geological Papers Volume 8. Minerals and Geoscience Department, Malaysia.
Metcalfe, I., 1999. The Palaeo-Tethys in East Asia. Geolgical Society of Malaysia Bulletin, 43, 131-143.
Metcalfe, I., 2000. The Bentong–Raub Suture Zone. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 18, 691–712 pp.
Mohd Badzran b. Mat Taib, Mohd Asbi b. Mohd Zin and Selvarajah, M. (in manuscript). Geology and
mineral resources of the Kerunai area (Sheet 19), Perak Darul Ridzuan. Geological Survey Malaysia (in
Malay).
Mohamad Hussein b. Jamaluddin, Mohd Sari b. Hasan, Mohd Badzran b. Mat Taib, Selvarajah, M.,
Askury b. Abd. Kadir and Mohd Asbi b. Mohd Zin, 1994. Geology and mineral resources of the Belum
and Gunung Ulu Merah (Sheet 20 and part of sheet 11), Upper Perak. Proceeding of the 25th. Annual
Geological Conference, 1994, Technical papers, 6, 11-25 (in Malay).
Mohamad Hussein b. Jamaluddin, Mohd Sari b. Hasan, Mohd Badzran b. Mat Taib, Selvarajah, M.,
Askury b. Abd. Kadir and Mohd Asbi b. Mohd Zin (in manuscript). Geology and mineral resources of
the Belum and Gunung Ulu Merah (Sheet 20 and Sheet 11), Upper Perak. Geological Survey Malaysia (in
Malay).
Mohamad Hussein b. Jamaluddin, Mohd. Badzran b. Mat Taib and Mohd Sari b. Hasan (in manuscript).
Geology and mineral resources of the Batu Melintang area (Sheet 21 and Sheet 12), Kelantan. Geological
Survey Malaysia (in Malay).
Mohamad Sari b. Hasan et al. (in manuscript). Geology and mineral resources of the Temengor area (Sheet
32), Upper Perak. Geological Survey Malaysia (in Malay).
Mohd Azmer b. Ashari, Che Abdul Rahman b. Jaafar and Ong, W.S., 1995. Reconnaissance Geochemical
Exploration for Gold in Kelantan. Geological Survey Malaysia, Report No: EMR 03/95. (in Malay).
Mohd Badzran b. Mat Taib et al. (in manuscript). ). Geology and mineral resources of the Kerunai area
(Sheet 19), Upper Perak. Geological Survey Malaysia (in Malay).
Mohd Raji b. Mat Yaacob, 1990. Geology and gold mineralization in Batu Melintang-Kalai, Jeli, Kelantan
Darul Naim. Unpublished B.Sc. (Hons.) thesis, Dept. of Geology, University of Malaya (in Malay).
Muenlek S., Meesook A., Thong chid P., Tipayathanasap C. and Skulkeaw P., (1979). Geology of the
Changwat Narathiwat and Amphoe Tak Bai sheets (NB47-6, NB48-5) on scale 1:250,000, Geological
Survey Division, Dept. of Mineral Resources, Bangkok, Thailand, 59 P with 2 geological maps (in Thai)
62
Nakapadunrat S. Jeenkool A. and Boonkanpai N. (1988). Geology of Amphoe Khok Pho (5222 III)
Quadrangle scale 1:50,000 Geological Survey report of Investigation No T-06-2-0109 (3)-88/GEOL 57 P.
(in Thai)
Muenlek, S., Meesook, A. and Thongchit, P., 1982. Geology and mineral resources of Sheet Narathiwas and Betong,
southern Thailand. Geol. Surv. Div. Rept., DMR, Bangkok, Thailand, 1-56: (in Thai).
Rohayu bt. Che Omar, 1994. Petrochemistry of the Palaeozoic rocks along the East-West Highway, Gerik-Jeli,
Perak/Kelantan. National University of Malaysia MSc. thesis, 381 p. (in Malay).
Rookewell, J., 1923. Kelantan Gold-Report of the consulting Engineer. Straits Times, February 12, 1923.
Safeen b. Baharudin, 1987. Gold Investigation in Batu Melintang area, Kelantan. Geological Survey Malaysia.
(in Malay).
Scrivenor, J.B., 1915. Geologist‟s Annual Report for 1914. Federated Malay States and Straits Settlements.
Sia, S.G., 1989. Geology of the Grik-Lawin area. University of Malaya B.Sc. (Hons.) thesis (unpublished).
Singh, D.S., Chu, L.H., Loganathan, P., Teoh, L.H., Cobbing, E.J. and Mallick, D.I.J., 1984. The Stong
Complex: A reassessment. Bull. Geol. Soc. Malaysia, 17, pp. 61-77.
Syed Sheikh Almashoor and Tjia, H.D., 1987. A prominent fault across the Malaysia-Thai Boundary. A
Preliminary Report. Warta Geologi, vol.13, No. 2, March-April 1987, pp 35-37.
Tajul Anuar b. Jamaluddin, 1989. Engineering Geology East-West Highway, Peninsular Malaysia – with
emphasise on rock slope failure. National University of Malaysia B.Sc (Hons.) thesis.
The Malaysia and Thailand Working Groups, 2006. Geology of the Batu Melintang-Sungai Kolok Area
along the Malaysia-Thailand Border Area. Minerals and Geoscience Department Malaysia.
The Malaysia-Thailand Working Group, 2010. Geology of the Pengkalan Hulu-Betong Transect Area along
the Malaysia-Thailand Border Area. The Malaysia-Thailand Border Joint Geological Survey Committee
(MT-JGSC).
Tjia, H.D., 1969. Regional implication of the Lebir fault zone. Geol. Soc. Of Malaysia Newsletter no. 19, p. 6-7.
Tjia, H.D., 1987. Olistostrome in the Bentong area, Pahang. Warta Geologi 13, 105–111.
Tjia, H.D., 1989a. Tectonic history of the Bentong–Bengkalis Suture. Geologi Indonesia 12 (1), 89–111.
Tjia, H.D., 1989b. The Bentong Suture. In: Situmorang, B. (ed.), Proceedings of the Regional Conference on
Mineral and Hydrocarbon Resources of SE Asia, pp. 73–85.
Tjia, H.D., 1993. The Bentong Suture in Ulu Kelantan, Peninsular Malaysia. IGCP Project 321 Gondwana
dispersion and Asian accretion, Third International Symposium and Field Excursion, Abstracts of papers,
pp. 70–71.
Tjia, H.D. and Syed Sheikh Almashoor, 1996. The Bentong Suture in Southwest Kelantan, Peninsular
Malaysia. Geological Society of Malaysia Bulletin, 39, pp. 195-211.
Tonnayopas, D., 1994. Geology and Stratigraphy of Bang Lang Dam area. Proceeding of the international symposium
on: Stratigraphic Correlation of Southeast Asia, Bangkok, Thailand.
Utha-aroon, C., Khuenkong, P., and Saisuttichai, D., 2000. Review on Mineral Resources near the Thai-Malay
Border, Economic Geology Division, Department of Mineral Resources, Bangkok, Thailand, 14 p.
Wong, L.C., 1974. Geology of the Batu Melintang area, northwest Kelantan, West Malaysia. Unpublished
B.Sc. (Hons.) thesis, Dept. of Geology, University of Malaya.
63
- 64 -
APPENDICES
64
- 65 APPENDIX 1
List of the Malaysian-Thai Working Group Member
Malaysian Working Group Member
Thai Working Group Member
Name
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Mr. Alexander Unya Ambun
Mr. Ibrahim bin Amnan
Mr. Noor Bakri bin Endut
Mr. Mohd Badzran bin Mat Taib
Mr. Mohamad Hussein bin Jamaluddin
Mr. Mohamad Sari bin Hasan
Mr. Mat Niza bin Abdul Rahman
Mr. Muhammad Mustadza bin Mazni
Mr. Mohd Anuar bin Ishak
Mr. Amir Mizwan bin Mohd Akhir
Mr. Azizan anak Juhin
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10
11
65
Name
Dr. Tawsaporn Nuchanong
Dr Assanee Meesook
Mr. Naramase Teerarungsigul
Dr. Suree Teerarungsigul
Mr. Terapon Wongprayon
Mr.Suvapak Imsamut
Ms. Piya-orn Assavapatchara
Mr. Kitti Khaowiset
Mr. Sutee Jongautchariyakul
Ms. Pachara Sangoen
Dr. Doungrutai Saesaengseerung