Warta Geologi, Vol. 46, No. 2, August 2020, pp. 52–58

The geology and stratigraphic framework of the Kuching
Zone Sarawak: Current understanding and unresolved issues

Najiatun Najla Mohamad*, Abdul Hadi Abd Rahman, Mohd Suhaili
Ismail

Dept. of Geosciences, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, 32610
Bandar Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia

*Corresponding author email address: najiatunnajla@gmail.com

Abstract:
The geological record of the Kuching Zone extends back in time to more than 300
million years ago. The rock units in the area records a complex history of
sedimentation, magmatism and tectonism in the Mesozoic and Cenozoic times.
Pre-Upper Carboniferous metamorphic rocks are the oldest rock. Exposure of the
younger metamorphic rocks of Late Mesozoic have been assigned to various
formations with uncertain protoliths and origin, and have been interpreted to
be related to Cretaceous-Cenozoic accretionary setting. Some of the significant
events that have occurred include the deposition of clastic sediment with
volcanic flow and pyroclastic during Carboniferous to Triassic, and deposition
during Jurassic-Cretaceous was siliciclastic-typed sediment. Cretaceous
granitoid intruded this sequence before deposition of paralic siliciclastic
sediment of Cretaceous to Miocene age. Although the geology of this zone is
relatively well studied, many of the interpretations are still debatable due to
the complex geology and insufficient biostratigraphic data and dating of the
igneous and metamorphic bodies. Several major unresolved issues still remain
unanswered. This paper highlights the current understanding and unresolved
issues of rock units in Kuching Zone, proposes an updated stratigraphic framework
which incorporating igneous and tectonic events, and an updated geological map
integrating information from previous published reports and new field
investigations.

Keywords:
Geology, stratigraphic framework, Kuching Zone, West Sarawak

DOI :
https://doi.org/10.7186/wg462202003

ISSN
0126–5539; e-ISSN 2682-7549