The tectonic framework and evolution of the Central Belt and its margins Peninsular Malaysia

702001-101148-946-B
Author : B.K. Tan
Publication : Bulletin of the Geological Society of Malaysia
Page : 307-322
Volume Number : 17
Year : 1984
DOI : https://doi.org/10.7186/bgsm17198416

Bulletin of the Geological Society of Malaysia, Volume 17, Dec.1984, pp. 307 – 322

The tectonic framework and evolution of the Central Belt and its margins Peninsular Malaysia

B.K. TAN

Department of Geology University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

 

Abstract: The parallelism of the mineral belts in Peninsular Malaysia with the regional structural trends has led to considerable speculation on the tectonic development of the different belts. The justification for the three-fold division of the peninsula is critically examined and while it is proposed to retain this scheme, the present basis for demarcating the boundaries of the different belts are found to be too arbitrary. The Central Belt is shown to be separated from its margin by major northerly fault zones. These faults are interpreted as essentially normal faults related to continental rifting and graben development during the late Paleozoic and Mesozoic. The downfaulted Central Belt graben, flanked by the uplifted Western and Eastern Belts, has undergone a different geological evolution characterised by well developed marine and non-marine sequences and active volcanism. A subduction related origin for the small bodies of serpentinite is not favoured and these rocks are interpreted as originating along geofractures close to the margins of the graben. Mineralization related to deep seated sources may be expected to have been facilitated during their upward migration and emplacement by these faults and the margins of the Central Belt are favourable locations for the presence of continental rift associated mineralization.

https://doi.org/10.7186/bgsm17198416