Sains Malaysiana 44(7)(2015): 931–940

Stratigraphic Succession and Depositional Framework of the Sandakan Formation, Sabah

(Penyesaran Stratigrafi dan Rangka Bentuk Pemendapan Formasi Sandakan, Sabah)

KHOR WEI CHUNG*, CHOW WENG SUM & ABD. HADI A. RAHMAN

Department of Geosciences and Petroleum Engineering, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS

32610 Bandar Seri Iskandar, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia

Received: 19 February 2013/Accepted: 30 March 2015

ABSTRACT

The Sandakan Formation of the Segama Group is exposed across the Sandakan Peninsular in eastern Sabah. This Upper Miocene part of the Segama Group unconformably overlies the Garinono Formation and is conformably overlain by the Bongaya Formation. This formation was investigated with detailed logging of outcrops and microfossils analysis in order to map the depositional facies and sedimentary environment. This study showed the presence of seven lithofacies: Thick amalgamated sandstone; thin, lenticular interbedded HCS sandstones and mudstone; laminated mudstone with Rhizophora; trough cross-bedded sandstone; laminated mudstone; strip mudstone with thin sandstone and siltstone; and interbedded HCS sandstone and mudstone. Based on the presence of Rhizophora, Brownlowia, Florchuetia sp., Polypodium, Stenochleana palustris, Ascidian spicule, low angle cross bedding, very fine grained sandstone, thin alternations of very fine sandstone, silt and clay layers showing cyclicity (muddy rhythemites), rocks in the Sandakan Formation are interpreted as mangal estuary and open marine facies. Three facies associations could be deduced from the seven lithofacies: Gradual coarsening upwards shoreface; abrupt change facies and prograding estuary facies association.

Keywords: Facies; facies description; micropaleontology; Sandakan formation; sedimentology; stratigraphy

ABSTRAK

Formasi Sandakan adalah sebahagian daripada kumpulan Segama terbentang di seluruh Semenanjung Sandakan yang terletak di timur Sabah. Miosen Akhir ini ialah sebahagian daripada kumpulan Segama yang tidak menyama bentuk Formasi Garinono dan menyama bentuk oleh Formasi Bongaya. Formasi ini telah dikaji dengan pengelogan terperinci pada singkapan dan juga analisis mikrofosil untuk memetakan pemendapan fasies dan sedimen persekitaran. Kajian ini telah menunjukkan kehadiran lapan litofasies: Batu pasir tebal bersatu; batu pasir dan batu lumpur HCS berlapis benam kekantaan nipis; batu lumpur berlamina dengan Rhizophora; batu pasir dengan serpihan cengkerang; batu lumpur berlamina; batu lumpur berjalur dengan batu pasir dan batu lodak nipis; dan batu pasir dan batu lumpur HCS berlapis benam. Berdasarkan kehadiran Rhizophora, Brownlowia, Florchuetia sp., Polypodium, Stenochleana palustris, Ascidian spicule, sudut rendah perlapisan silang dan juga butiran saiz pasir yang halus pada Formasi Sandakan ditafsirkan sebagai muara mungal dan fasies marin terbuka. Tiga perhubungan fasies boleh disimpulkan daripada tujuh litofasies: pengasaran secara beransur-ansur ke atas permukaan laut; perubahan mendadak fasies dan fasies perhubungan muara.

Kata kunci: Fasies; butiran fasies; Formasi Sandakan; mikropaleontologi; sedimentologi; stratigrafi

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*Corresponding author; email: lil.chong.91@gmail.com