Bulletin of the Geological Society of Malaysia, Volume 65, June 2018, pp. 45 – 58
No. 22 Jalan 2/4F, 43650, Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
Email address: basirjasin@gmail.com
Abstract: Cherts in Malaysia can be divided into two types namely bedded chert strata and chert blocks. The bedded radiolarian cherts in Peninsular Malaysia are mainly located in the Western Belt especially the Kubang Pasu, Kenny Hill and Semanggol Formations. Bedded cherts in Sabah are found in the Sabah Ophiolite Complex. In Sarawak, bedded cherts are exposed in the Serian Volcanic Formation, and at the basal part of the Pedawan Formation. Chert blocks are mainly distributed in the Bentong Raub Suture Zone of Peninsular Malaysia and in melanges of Sabah and Sarawak. Radiolarians from Peninsular Malaysia are older ranging from Late Devonian to Triassic. Sixteen biozones are identified namely, Trilonche minax, Albaillella deflandrei, Albaillella indensis, Pseudoalbaillella lomentaria, Pseudoalbaillella scalprata m. rhombothoracata, Pseudoalbaillella longtanensis, Pseudoalbaillella globosa, Follicucullus monacanthus, Follicucullus porrectus, Neoalbaillella ornithoformis, Neoalbaillella optima, Entactinosphaera chiakensis, Triassocampe coronata, Triassocampe deweveri, Oertlispongus inaequispinosus and Capnodoce Zones. Radiolarians from Sabah and Sarawak are younger compared to those of Peninsular Malaysia. They are ranging in age from early Jurassic to Cretaceous. Six biozones are recognised viz. Trillus elkhornensis, Loopus primitivus, Pseudodictyomitra carpatica, Cecrops septemporatus, Dictyomitra communis and Pseudodictyomitra pseudomacrocephala Zones. The radiolarian cherts in Malaysia are not continuous succession and their development is related to radiolarian productivity caused by volcanic activities which supply silica and nutrients to surface water.
Keywords: Radiolarians, chert, biozones, Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, Sarawak
https://doi.org/10.7186/bgsm65201805
