Sedimentology & Structural Geology of Sapulut and Tanjong Formations, Southeast Sabah

Sabah is a result of complex tectonic mechanism shaped by the collision of three major tectonic plates in which include the Eurasian, Indo-Australian and Philippine Sea plates triggering the formation of rifts, basins, island arcs and mountainous range. The targeted formations of this study are the Sapulut and Tanjong formations. The relationship of these formations and the circular basins are still constrained. Pinnacle of this study is revolving around the structural geology and sedimentology, with added minor study on how the shale diapirs could be a potential factor of the construction of the inaugural Maliau Basin.
Outcomes of the field study suggests that the area is structurally affected by shearing of wrench faults whereas the sedimentology of the formations indicated deep marine and distal deltaic depositional environment. Interpretation of satellite images, field mapping, thin section and rose diagram are conducted in an attempt to better understand the unfolded story of how these formations were geologically formed.