Sedimentology and Petrography study of Carboniferous-

Permian Kati Formation at Seri Iskandar, Perak

by
Navaneethan A/L Rammudo
19085

Dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of

the requirements for the
Bachelor of Technology (Hons)
Petroleum Geoscience

September 2017

Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS

32610 Bandar Seri Iskandar
Perak Darul Ridzuan

1
 CERTIFICATION OF APPROVAL

Sedimentology and Petrography study of Carboniferous-Permian Kati

Formation at Seri Iskandar, Perak

by
Navaneethan A/L Rammudo
19085

A project dissertation submitted to the

Petroleum Geoscience Programme
Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
In partial fulfilment of the requirements for the
Bachelor of Technology (Hons)
Petroleum Geoscience

Approved by,

_______________________

(Dr Muhd Suhaili Bin Ismail)

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI PETRONAS

TRONOH, PERAK
September 2017

2
 CERTIFICATION OF ORIGINALITY

This is to certify that I am responsible for the work submitted in this project, that the
original work is my own except as specified in the references and acknowledgements,
and that the original work contained herein have not been undertaken or done by
unspecified sources or persons.

_____________________________________

(Dr Muhd Suhaili Bin Ismail)

3
 ABSTRACT

This objective of this thesis is to study on the sedimentology and petrography of the
Kati Formation at Seri Iskandar Perak. Field analysis and Lab analysis has been done
on three outcrops (A, B and C) in this study area. Field analysis is comprised of
sedimentary logging, data acquisition (strike/dip, PS measurement) ,sample collection
while lab analysis is comprised of petrography analysis, grain size analysis and XRF.
The grain size analysis shows that the sediment is of the high energy environment with
strong current and poorly sorted which is interpreted to by transported by bedload.
The petrography study shows that the sediments are mostly arenaceous which
subjected to significant chemical weathering. The last analysis, XRF studies shows
that the sediments are dominated by siliciclastic rocks due to high percentage of quartz
content and the presence of chert rock shows traces of deep marine deposition. From
the lab results obtained the environment of deposition of the Kati Formation is
interpreted to be deep marine slope environment.

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 Table of Contents

Certification…………………………………………………...…2
Abstract……………………………………………………..…....4
List of figures………………………………………………..…...6
List of tables…………………………………………………..….7
List of abbreviations…………………………………………..….7
Acknowledgement……………………………………………......8
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of Study………………………………….…9
1.2 Location of study area…………………………………...10
1.3 Problem Statement……………………………………….11
1.4 Objectives………………………………………………..11
1.5 Scope of Study…………………………………………...12
1.6
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Regional Geology of Peninsula Malaysia………………..13
2.2 Geology of Kati Formation………………………………13
2.3 Paleozoic Formations in the Western Belt……………….14
2.4 Sedimentology study……………………………………..17

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction……………………………………………….19
3.2 Desk Study………………………………………………..19
3.3 Materials…………………………………………………..20
3.4 Geological Fieldwork……………………………………..20
3.5 Lab Analysis………………………………………………20
3.6 Data analysis and interpretation…………………………..22
3.7 Project Gantt chart…………………………………….…..23

CHAPTER 4: RESULT AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Outcrop Description (Outcrop A)………………………...24
4.2 Outcrop A Pictures ……………………………………….29
4.3 Sedimentary logging of Outcrop A ……………….….…..31
4.4 Sedimentoliogy Analysis (Outcrop A)……………….…...34
4.5 Outcrop Description (Outcrop B) ……………………..….35
4.6 Sedimentary logging of Outcrop B………………….….…39
4.7 Sedimentology Analysis………………………………..…41
4.8 Petrography study………………………………………....42
4.9 Grain Size Analysis………………………………….……47
4.9 XRF analysis…………………………………………..….53

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATION…56&57

REFERENCES……………………………………………………58
APPENDICES…………………………………………………….59
.

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 List of Figures

Figure Description Page

number
Figure 1.1 Location map of study area 10
Figure 2.1 The stratigraphic correlation of the Palaeozoic clastic 14
Successions of the Western Belt of Peninsular Malaysia
(Alkhali &Chow, 2014)
Figure 2.2 The Stratigraphic chart of Paleozoic Sequences 15
of the Western Belt of Peninsular Malaysia Modified
from Lee (2009
Figure 3.1 Shows the research flow chart of methodology 18

Figure 3.2 Shows the picture of electron microscope used for thin 20
section
Figure 3.3 Shows the picture of XRF machine 21
Figure 3.4 Shows the equipment used to conduct grain size analysis 21
Figure 3.5 Shows Gantt chart of the project where the red symbol 22
indicate at which stage the milestones are achieved.
Figure 4.1 Picture of highly weathered and deformed Outcrop A 23
facing north
Figure 4.2 Close up Picture of difference of red shale (A) and grey 24
shale (B)
Figure 4.3 A close view of sandstone bed on the highly weathered 25
outcrop A
Figure 4.4 A hand specimen of a fine grained sandstone from 25
outcrop A
Figure 4.5 A close view picture of mudstone bed (A) 26
Figure 4.6 A close view picture of hand specimen mudstone 26
Figure 4.7 A clear bedding boundary between sandstone (A) 27
mudstone (B)
Figure 4.8 A picture of Interbedded sandstone (A) reddish shale (B) 27
Figure 4.9 Picture of sedimentary logging of section 1 of Outcrop A 28
Figure 4.10 Picture of sedimentary logging of section 2 of Outcrop A 28
Figure 4.11 Picture of sedimentary logging of section 3 of Outcrop A 29
Figure 4.12 Sedimentary logging of section 1 30
Figure 4.13 Sedimentary logging of section 2 31
Figure 4.14 Sedimentary logging of section 3 32

Figure 4.15 A far view of the Outcrop B facing north 34

Figure 4.16 A close view picture of extremely weathered platy 35
pinkish shale bed

Figure 4.17 Close view of oxidized dark brown chert bed at the 36
outcrop
Figure 4.18 A hand specimen of chert rock with iron stain from 36
Outcrop B
Figure 4.19 A far view of shale chert interbedded structure with 37
geological hammer as scale
Figure 4.20 Sedimentary logging (1-15m) of Outcrop B 38

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Figure 4.21 Sedimentary logging (15-30m) of Outcrop B 39
Figure 4.22 Shows the location of study area of subsurface sampling 41
for thin section
Figure 4.23 A picture of borehole coring sample from Outcrop C 41
Figure 4.24 The microscopic image of XPL and PPL image of 5 thin 44
section
Figure 4.25 Map showing the three sampling location of outcrop A 46
Figure 4.26 Graph of cumulative percentage of grains against Phi 47
value of 1st soil sample

List of Tables

Table Description Page number

Table 3.1 Shows Gantt chart where the red symbol indicate at 22
which stage the milestones are achieved.

Table 4.1 List of borehole sample and respective depth 42

Table 4.3 Shows the accumulation of data for 1st sample 47
Table 4.4 Classification of the phi values to the skewness 48
Table 4.5 Classification of the phi values to the peakedness 49
Table 4.6 : Average of mean, standard deviation, kurtosis and 50
skewness
Table 4.7 Classification of the phi values to the peakedness 50
Table 4.8 Shows the average of mean, standard deviation, 51
kurtosis and skewness
Table 4.9 Shows the XRF result of white sandstone 52
Table 4.10 Shows the XRF result of red sandstone 52

Table 4.11 Shows the XRF result of Shale 52

Table 4.12 Shows the XRF result of mudstone 53
Table 4.13 Shows the XRF result of shale 53
Table 4.14 Shows the XRF result of chert 53

List of abbreviations

XPL Cross-polarized view

PPL Plane-polarized view

7
 Acknowledgement

First and foremost I would like to thank God for providing me the health, strength
and will power to see through the successful completion of this final year project. I
am very grateful that I have managed to finally complete the final year project which
is the final step in completing my degree in Petroleum Geoscience.

I am very grateful and thankful to Dr.Muhd Suhaili bin Ismail, my supervisor who
has dedicated his time in guiding me towards the completion of this project. His
constant supervision and advice helped me a lot in finishing this project
successfully. Throughout this 8 months period where the project was conducted, he
never failed to provide assistant in terms of providing ideas and suggestions, having
a weekly review of the project and commenting on any mistakes that I may have
made.

I would also like to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to my ever
supportive parents for always believing in me and encouraging me to work hard in
completing this project and finally, I would like to thank my friends for their endless
support and motivation throughout this project.

8
 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of study

The Kati Formation constitutes a large portion of the Upper Paleozoic rocks in the
western zone of Peninsular Malaysia; it lies between the granites of the Bintang and
Kledang ranges and extends southward to Tapah and Teluk Intan. It is exposed in the
west and southwest parts of Kinta Valley and the surrounding district of Kuala
Kangsar. The rock exposures are very rare in areas that are still mostly covered by
dense tropical forests and Quaternary alluvium. Recently, interests in the Kati
Formation has been directed particularly at Seri Iskandar and the Kinta Valley area.
Among the researchers who have involved in the study of Kati Formation in Seri
Iskandar was Foo (1983, 1990), Maizatul Asnida (2011) and Ingham & Bradford
(1960).

Besides all the new research gatherings based on new unstudied areas, there are still a
few unstudied areas which totally lack geological information especially on the
sedimentology and petrography aspect. .Even though there have been few studies
conducted on the Kati Formation but the detailed sedimentology and petrography
study was very limited. Therefore, this research focuses on the sedimentology and
petrological study of Kati Formation at Seri Iskandar, Perak. The outcome of my
research can contribute the slightest on information to the geological information of
that area.

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Location of study area

Figure 1.1 Location map of study area

Kati Formation occur from Kuala Kangsar in the north down south to end of Kinta
Valley in the south. However this study focused on the Kati Formation in the Seri
Iskandar area. There are 3 outcrops to be covered in this area which is outcrop A, B
and C. Figure 1 shows the location map of the study areas with outcrops labelled as
A, B and C. Outcrop A is located near the housing estate of Puncak Seri Iskandar with
the GPS location of 4.376110, 100.950377 while outcrop B is situated nearby SMK
Seri Iskandar with the GPS location of 4.366882, 100.950521. The petrographic
analysis of the Kati Formation has been carried out on borehole subsurface samples
which has taken from outcrop C. The location of the study area where the subsurface
sample taken is at coordinate of 100˚75.0˚E, 4˚27.0˚N (behind UTP campus).There
was no sample taken from the 2 study areas as the surface samples has undergone high
rate of weathering

10
Figure 4.22 The location of study area of subsurface samples for thin section

1.2 Problem Statements

The Kati Formation at Seri Iskandar has very limited amount of geological study.This
limited study include (Irfan,2016) who has conducted his geological study at the Kati
Formation on the geological mapping and engineering geological mapping of Kati
Formation.(Hissein and Chow, 2014) has made a brief review on the geology of Kati
Formation at Seri Iskandar. This thesis is focusing on the sedimentology and
petrography study. Thus, it is a great challenge to take up that area as my research
location and to carry out necessary study in order to come up with the slightest of
geological information based on it.

1.3 Objectives

1. To conduct sedimentology study of the Kati Formation in Seri Iskandar focusing

on the sedimentary structure, facies analysis and lithology identification.

2. To conduct petrographic study in Kati formation at Seri Iskandar to undertake

geochemical analysis.

3. To interpret the environment of deposition of the Kati Formation based on

sedimentology and petrography study as well as geochemical aspects

11
1.4 Scope of study

This project is conducted in the vicinity of Seri Iskandar, Perak where three outcrops
were covered. The scope of study throughout the completion of this research paper
can be divided into two main parts which is FYP 1 and FYP 2. For Final Year Project
(FYP 1), the scope of study focused mainly on the sedimentology while Final Year
Project (FYP 2), focused mainly on petrography study.

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 CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Regional Geology of Peninsular Malaysia

Peninsular Malaysia lies between Asia and Australia continent composed of

crystalline schist, gneisses and plutonic. The tectonic evolution of Peninsular
Malaysia described using the geosynclinals model (Van Bemmelen, 1949 as cited in
Ooi, 1976), aborted rift theory (Khoo & Tan, 1983) and east –west block collision
(Metcalfe, 2013). The commonly agreed model is the collision model. The collision
of Sibumasu –Indochina terrane during Early Triassic formed the Peninsular
Malaysia. The denser oceanic crust believed to be subducted into the Incochina block
and closed the former Paleo-tethys Sea. Bentong Raub Suture Zone marks the
subduction of the Sibumasu into Indochina where the deep marine sediments are
uplifted (Metcalfe, 2013).

The Peninsular Malaysia divided into three (3) distinct N-S belts namely Western Belt,
Central Belt and Eastern Belt. These three (3) belts can be distinguished based on their
individual geological features (Metcalfe, 2013). Scrivener (1928) as cited in Khoo and
Tan (1983) proposed division of the peninsula based on mineralization that is central
gold belt lies in between eastern and western tin belt. The boundary between the
western and central terranes is the serpentine bodies known as Bentong-Raub line cuts
across Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan and Bentong –Raub, Pahang. The Lebir Fault
which extends southward to Johor divides the central and eastern terranes
(IbrahimAbdullah,2004).The Western Belt formed during Silurian-Devonian
(Palaeozoic) and Permian composed of clastics, limestones, minor volcanic, Patani
metamorphic, carbonates, argillaceous and calcareous sediments. The orogeny in
Western Belt happened during Triassic while plutonic acid magmatism was dated
Permian-Triassic. Central Belt made of clastics, volcanics, limestone, coarse clastics,
argileceous sediments, chert, Main Range granite, ultramafic rocks, Taku Schist,
amphibolite, phylites, marine sedimentation and continental Cretaceous sediments
formed around Permian-Devonian. The mountain building in the region occurred
during Triassic. Eastern Belt aged Carboniferous-Permian rocks such as clastics,

13
volcanics, Murau & Redang conglomerates and significant amount of gently dipping
Cretaceous continental deposits. The Eastern belt granite is different from the Main
Range granite in terms of the grain size and K-feldspar. After craton stabilized in
Mesozoic to Tertiary Pleistocene volcanic activities continued to be basic in Eastern
belt (Khoo & Tan 1983).

2.2 Geology of Kati Formation

The term “Kati Beds” was introduced by Foo to describe a formation that occurs in
the Kuala Kangsar area and extends southward along the western bank of Sungai
Perak into Kinta Valley (Alkhali &Chow, 2014).It is the largest Upper Palaeozoic
rock formation in the western belt. Kati Formation located between the granites of the
Bintang on the west and Kledang ranges on the east and extends southwards to Tapah
and Teluk Intan. Geologically it lies in the surrounding district of Kuala Kangsar as
well as west and southwest parts of Kinta Valley. Many elements are taken into
consideration when describing a Formation such as outcrop description, lithology, bed
thickness, age, contact with other formation, bed thickness, structural features,
sedimentary structures, depositional environment, provenance as well as regional
correlation.

Outcrops in Kati Formation are very scarce, poorly exposed and sparsely distributed
and poorly exposed. Due to factors such as extensive weathering, low topographic
position, and tropical climate causes more resilient siliceous metasediments. Kati
Formation at Kuala Kangsar area is highly folded..In general the lithology of Kati
Formation is composed of a predominantly monotonous sequence of interbedded
metamorphosed reddish brown carbonaceous shale, mudstone and sandstones, with
minor siltstone “argillaceous and arenaceous rocks” (Wong, 1991).There was no
fossils found in Kati Formation according to(Foo 1991).(Foo,1991),(Wong,1991) .
(Hutchison, 2007) interpreted Kati Formation to be older than the Semanggol
Formation based on the dissimilarities in the lithology and the style of folding.

14
Regional correlation is the lithological and strati graphical relationship between
different Formations. There are many similarities between Kubang Pasu Formation in
the north-western belt and Kenny Hill Formation in Selangor. Kati Formation is often
correlated with the Upper Paleozoic Kenny Hill Formation of Kuala Lumpur and
Kubang Pasu Formation.

Figure 2.1: The Stratigraphic correlation of the Palaeozoic clastic successions of

the Western Belt of Peninsular Malaysia (Alkhali & Chow, 2014)

2.3 Paleozoic Formations in the Western Belt

There are 3 belts in Peninsular Malaysia: western, central, and eastern. The
classification of these belts are based on distinctive tectonic, stratigraphy,
metamorphism, structure, and sedimentary history. The western belt is further divided
into northwestern belt and western belt. The western belt covers a large area stretching
from the Perak–Thai border southward to the state of Malacca, whereas the
northwestern belt covers Langkawi, Kedah, and Perlis (Hissein A. Alkhali & Chow,

15
2014).Most of the northwestern belt of rocks are Lower Paleozoic rocks whereas the
Upper Paleozoic rocks are found in all three belts .Evidently the geological ages of
the rock formations becomes younger from west to east. The Silurian to Permian Kinta
Limestone, Terolak Formation and the Kati Formation in Perak are the Upper
Paleozoic rocks which crop out along the western belt. This followed by the Lower
Paleozoic Dinding and Hawthornden Schists, the Kuala Lumpur Limestone, and the
Carboniferous to Permian Kenny Hill Formation in Selangor. The westerly clastic
rocks along the Perak River are grouped under the Kati Formation.

Figure 2.2: The Stratigraphic chart of Paleozoic sequences of the Western Belt of
Peninsular Malaysia.Modifoed from Lee (2009)

16
2.4 Sedimentology study

2.4.1 Sedimentary Processes

Sedimentology is the logical investigation of sedimentary rocks and the

procedures by which they were framed. It is concerned with the composition
and genesis of sediments and sedimentary rocks, and the making of predictive
models that take after and anticipate sedimentation. It's utilized to portray
sedimentation forms by translating the facies so as to know the attributes,
philosophy and standards of sedimentation.

Likewise, sedimentology is identified with stratigraphy which is the

investigation of the physical connections of sedimentary layers. The
investigation of sedimentology and stratigraphy together gives clearer vision
about the layers and furnishes us with any data we require.3 main process
involved in development of sediments in sedimentary processes:
 Physical processes (weathering and erosion)
 Chemical processes (precipitation of chemical compounds in water
solutions)
 Biological processes
Weathering and erosion are involved in sedimentation processes through the
material they provide. Physical and chemical changes transform sediments into
sedimentary rocks through the process diagenesis. Temperature and chemical
change occurs during the chemical process affects the sedimentary rocks. Later
on biological process affects the growth of the rocks.

2.4 Sedimentology environments and facies

Facies of sedimentary rocks is the special specifications which helps in knowing
the history of the rock formation. Factors that helps in facies identification is
(Nichols.G, 2009)
 Minerology
 Grain Size and Sorting
 Angularity
Facies identification can be split into

17
1. Facies analysis
2. Facies Association
3. Facies Successions
Example of facies that can be recognized in the field include conglomerate,
pebbly sandstone, t h i c k -bedded s a n d s t o n e, i n t e r b e d d e d
s a n d s t o n e -shale, Contorted sandstone-shale, and shale-dominated
heterolithics (Hasnol Hady Ismail,Mazalan Madon & Zainol Affendi Abu
Bakar)

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 CHAPTER 3

METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction

With the help of some desk study, material needed for this research and the equipment
needed are listed out. An outline of methods to use in this research listed out in brief
description.

Figure 3.1: Research flow chart

3.2 Desk Study

Before any actual work is done, the first step of the study is to conduct studies on
journals, and research papers that can help improve the understanding regarding the
scope of the project. Data regarding general geology of Peninsular Malaysia and Kati
Formation are taken from Dearman(1974,1978),Brignell & Snelling(1977),
IAEG(1981), Foo(1983,1990), Wong(1991), Hutchinson(2007), Pierson(2009,2011)
and Askury et al.(2009) and Alkhali(2012,2014)

19
3.2 Materials

These materials are the basic things that needed for fieldwork.

 Hammer
 Compass
 Hand lenses
 Field notebook
 Global Positioning System (GPS)
 Measuring tapes
 Stationaries
 Sample Bags

3.3 Geological Fieldwork

Geological Fieldwork involves outcrop descriptions, sample collecting and data

acquisitions such as sedimentary logging and GPS reading. Once on-site, very first
step will be measuring and describing the outcrop and distribution of the rock unit.
Sample collection involves the process of collecting rock sample from the outcrop.
During sampling labeling it is important to know the exact location of the samples.
Data acquisition is carried out for strike and dip, thickness of bed and sedimentary
structures. Besides that, desk study on the background of the area has to be done before
the actual geological work starts as it can make the planning process much more
efficient.

3.4 Lab Analysis

All the samples collected during the fieldwork will be used for lab analysis .Lab
analysis that to be conducted in this project is petrography study, Grain size analysis
and XRF

3.4.1 Petrography (Thin section)

The thin section petrography is basically done to study and describe the mineral
contents found within the rock. Certain information that is impossible to be seen by
naked eye can be identified through thin section analysis. A total of 6 thin sections

20
will be used during petrography study. This analysis provides detailed and enlarged
image of the minerals present in a particular rock when viewed under the microscope.

Figure 3.2: Electron microscope

3.4.2 X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF)

XRF is a non-destructive analytical technique that is used to determine the elemental

compositions of the samples collected. XRF analyzer determines the chemistry of a
sample by measuring the fluorescent (secondary) X-ray emitted from a sample when
it is excited by a primary X-ray source. Each element produces a set of characteristic
fluorescent X-ray that is unique for that specific sample. This makes the XRF analysis
an excellent technology for quantitative and qualitative analysis of material
composition

21
 Figure 3.3: XRF machine

3.4.3 Grain size analysis

This test is performed to determine the percentage of different grain sizes contained
within a soil. The mechanical or sieve analysis is performed to determine the
distribution of the coarser, larger-sized particles, and the hydrometer method is used
to determine the distribution of the finer particles

Figure 3.4: Equipment used to conduct grain size analysis.

Data analysis and interpretation

The data that has been obtained from both field analysis and lab analysis will be
interpreted and report will be written as per the research topic. Thesis is then written,
and continuous literature review is done to help the research.

22
3.5 Gantt Chart and Key Milestones

Table 3.1: Shows Gantt chart. The red symbol indicate at which stage the milestones
are achieved.

23
 CHAPTER 4

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

4.1 OUTCROP DESCRIPTION (OUTCROP A)

N: 100°57’10.31” E: 4°22’10.888”

Figure 4.1: Picture of highly weathered and deformed Outcrop A facing north

This is a 3D outcrop. Outcrop A is located 5 km away from UTP .This outcrop is

comprised of different type of lithologies such as phyllite, metaquartzite, shale,
sandstone, mudstone and siltstone. The rocks are poorly exposed, very scarce and
sparsely distributed.In terms of weathering,rocks in Outcrop A has undergone deep
weathering due to low topographic positions and the tropical climate which causes the
sediments to be more resistant siliceous metasediments. Observation from the vertical
plane shows that the outcrop has graded bedding that is fining upwards. This is evident
through the grain size that becomes smaller from the base of the outcrop to the
top .There are folding observed in the outcrop that indicate that the lower part of the
outcrop is older than the upper part. Sedimentary logging has been conducted on 3
section along the bedding plane. The average strike and dip readings of the outcrop is
42°/36° NE. The thickness of individual beds range from 20cm to 5m. In terms of
weathering classification, although the outcrop retains its rock structure, the rocks are
fairly soft and can be broken into pieces by hand. The soft nature of the rock meant

24
that it is not possible to do thin section, hence only sedimentology study is conducted.
No fossils were found in the study area.

4.1.2 FACIES DESCRIPTION

5 facies are recognized from the sedimentological logs measured at Outcrop B. The
sedimentary logs are shown in Figure 6.Some examples of different facies are shown
in the photographs in Figure 7.The facies are described below.

Shale

Shale is the major rock type in the outcrop. The shale rock here has been exposed to
a high rate of weathering. It is fissile and laminated. The color of the rock is greyish
white. There are also pinkish shale rock which is due to the secondary staining (Figure
8). The rock splits into thin pieces when crushed with hammer. The grain size is very
fine and composed of clay size minerals. There are also red shale present in the outcrop
due to oxidation of iron oxide.

B A

Figure 4.21: Close up Picture of difference of red shale (A) and grey shale (B)

Sandstone

Sandstone in the outcrop is more visible than shale. The size of the grain varies from
fine to medium to coarse. The sandstone comes in two distinct colours, which is
yellow and red. The yellow appearance is probably due to sulphur leaching,
meanwhile the reddish appearance is probably due to iron leaching. The sandstone has

25
undergone moderate weathering by observation. At certain areas, the sand particles
are so fine, that they can be referred to as siltstone.

Figure 4.22: A close view of sandstone bed on the highly weathered outcrop A

Figure 4.23: A hand specimen of a fine grained sandstone from outcrop A

Mudstone

The facies exhibits finely laminated, highly weathered mudstone, with a thickness
varies from 22cm to 1.9m. The hardened mud is a mix of silt and clay size particle.
There are also red stain on the mudstone indicating oxidation of iron. Figure 9 shows
fine grain sandstone interbedded with fine greyish mudstone.

26
 A

Figure 4.5: A close view picture of mudstone bed (A)

Figure 4.6: A close view picture of hand specimen mudstone

Interbedded sandstone mudstone

Interbedded sandstone mudstone found at the first 10 meter of Outcrop A. The bed is
composed of moderately weathered sandstone interbedded with highly weathered
mudstone

27
 Figure 4.7: A clear bedding boundary between sandstone (A) mudstone (B)

Interbedded sandstone shale

The interbedded sandstone shale facies can be seen more obviously at second and third
bedding. It is composed of deformed interbeds of light gray to reddish shale, fine to
medium grained, and poorly sorted sandstone. Some of the sandstone and shale
contains mud clasts and drapes. This facies are highly dominated by shale rocks and
can be found in second bed and third bed.

Figure 4.8: A picture of Interbedded sandstone (A) reddish shale (B)

28
Outcrop Picture

Figure 4.9: Picture of sedimentary logging of section 1 of Outcrop

Figure 4.10: Picture of sedimentary logging of section 2 of Outcrop A

29
Figure 4.11: Picture of sedimentary logging of section 3 of Outcrop

30
Sedimentary logging

Figure 4.12 Sedimentary logging of section 1

31
Figure 4.13 Sedimentary logging of section 2

32
Figure 4.14 Sedimentary logging of section 3

33
Sedimentology analysis (Outcrop A)

First section of the sedimentary logging shows the sandstone-mudstone interbedding.

Sandstone has a gradational bedding plane while mudstone has a sharp bedding plane.
The bedding is mostly dominated by sandstone bed. While second and third section
of sedimentary logging composed of shale- sandstone interbedding where the shale
has a sharp bedding plane and sandstone has gradational bedding plane. The bedding
is mostly dominated by thick shale bed. The clastic sequence (arenaceous series) are
characterized by the presence of large and small scale structures which is highly folded
into relatively open anticlines and synclines. The sedimentary structures that has been
observed in the outcrop is regular bedding, rhythmic bedding, load structures, flute
casts as well as graded sandstone beds. Among the observed sedimentary structures
are well developed joints, faults, veins, as well as infilled joints. Therefore, Outcrop
A as a whole can be concluded as a structurally complex.

34
OUTCROP B DESCRIPTION (NEARBY SMK SERI ISKANDAR)

N: 4°22’0.3”

E: 100°57’0”

Figure 4.15: A view of the Outcrop B facing north

Outcrop B situated around 5km from UTP. The outcrop consist of massive shale rock
interbedded with chert bed. Sedimentary logging has been conducted on a single bed
which has a length of approximately 30metres.The thickness of the bed ranges from
16cm to 4.5m. No evidence of fossils found in this area.

FACIES DESCRIPTION

3 facies are recognized from the sedimentological logs measured at Outcrop B. The
sedimentary logs are shown in Figure 6.Some examples of different facies are shown
in the photographs in Figure 7.The facies are described below.

35
Shale

Shale is the major rock type in the outcrop. The shale rock here has been exposed to
high rate of weathering. It is fissile and laminated. The color of the rock is greyish
white. There are also pinkish shale rock which is due to the secondary staining (Figure
20). The rock splits into thin pieces when crushed with hammer. The grain size is very
fine and composed of clay size minerals. There are also red shale present in the outcrop
due to oxidation of iron oxide. The thickness of individual shale unit ranges from
20cm to 4.5m

Figure 4.16: A close view picture of extremely weathered platy pinkish shale
bed

Chert

The chert rock is hard and undergone moderate weathering. It breaks into sharp edges
when crushed with hammer. The chert is mostly dark brown in color. This is due to
the leaching of iron oxide. The thickness of individual chert unit ranges from 16cm to
3.7m.

36
 Figure 4.17 Close view of oxidized dark brown chert bed at the outcrop

Figure 4.18 A hand specimen of chert rock with iron stain from Outcrop B

Shale chert interbedded

The outcrop as a whole is shale chert interbedded where shale bed is massive and more
dominant. The size of shale chert interbedded ranges from 16cm to 4.5m.

37
Figure 4.19 A far view of shale chert interbedded structure

38
Sedimentary logging (Outcrop B)

Figure 4.20 Sedimentary logging (1-15m) of Outcrop B

39
Figure 4.21 Sedimentary logging (15-30m) of Outcrop

40
Sedimentology analysis (Outcrop B)
Sedimentary logging has been conducted at outcrop B for a length of 30m.It is a shale
chert interbedding where majority of the section is composed of shale bed. The shale
bed has a sharp bedding plane while chert bed has gradational bedding plane. Shale
bed is extremely weathered due to low resistance to weathering. There are major faults
and fractures along the bedding plane. The only sedimentary structures observed at
the outcrop is regular bedding.

41
Petrography study
The Kati Formation, which is widely distributed in the north west of peninsular
Malaysia is composed of metamorphosed reddish brown carbonaceous shale,
mudstones, and sandstones, with minor siltstone. The petrographic analysis of the Kati
Formation has been carried out on borehole subsurface samples. The location of the
study area where the subsurface sample taken is at coordinate of 100˚75.0˚E, 4˚27.0˚N
(behind UTP campus).There was no sample taken from the 2 study areas as the surface
samples has undergone high rate of weathering

Figure 4.23 Example of borehole coring sample

42
The sample are taken from different depth from the well. The depth of each samples
are as follows:

Sample number Depth

Sample 2 147.8 m

Sample 28 200.2 m

Sample 29 263.8m

Sample 12 343.6m

Sample 23 393m

Table 1 List of Borehole sample and respective depth

All the thin section that has been obtained from the borehole drilling are sandstones.
The average grain size of the sandstone is 0.41mm, with a common maximum grain
size of 2mm.While grain sphericity is moderate, and most of the grain is subrounded.
According to the empirical classification of Folk (1989), quartz grains within Kati
Formation sandstone can be divided into single or monocrystalline quartz and
composite of polycrystalline quartz.

43
 F

44
 Q
F

Q
F

Figure 4.24 XPL and PPL image of 5 thin section

The sandstone can be classified into arenaceous group, which contain <95% quartz
content. This supposition is coincide with statement stated by Chow and Al-Khali
(2014) which the Kati formation is made up of arenaceous sandstone interbedded with
mudstone and shale and minor siltstone. From photograph taken under microscope,
generally the grain are fractured. The percentage of minerals in the thin section are
50% Quartz, 40% Lithic, and 10% Feldspar. The quartz and feldspar has a grain size
of 0.02mm while lithic is 0.01mm.The grains are moderate to coarse grain. The grains
are submatured to matured, which has sub- angular to sub- rounded grains. The fact
that the matrix is less in thin section enable the thin section to be considered as matured
sandstone (Adam, et., al., 1984).Litheranite as it goes deeper, it crystalises which
causes decrease in size. Therefore bigger quartz and less lithic can be found in the thin
section. Overall, the thin section from the stated outcrop has majority of quartz and
followed by feldspar mineral. The quartz generally does not have any cleavage while
feldspar shows some twinning property. Rock fragments can be determined in these

45
thin sections as dotted- filled milky color in PPL, while it has black color in XPL
(labelled in diagram).The petrography study as a whole indicates that sandstones are
compositionally mature with high quartz/feldspar ratio. Therefore, it can be concluded
that the deposits were subjected to significant chemical weathering at the deposited
site.

46
GRAIN SIZE ANALYSIS (PSD)

Grain size analysis has been conducted at outcrop A (Puncak Seri Iskandar) which is
at coordinate

N: 100°57’10.31” E: 4°22’10.888”.3 samples were taken from 3 different location of

the outcrop to have better understanding of the depositional environment.

Figure 4.25 Map showing the three sampling location of outcrop A

GPS coordinate for each location is as below

Location A: N: 100°57’10.31” E: 4°22’8.714”

Location B: N: 100°57’10.31” E: 4°22’10.888”

Location C: N: 100°57’10.31” E: 4°22’12.456”

The sieving process works by inserting the sands obtained into a set of pans with
different sieve mesh size (2.00 mm, 1.18 mm, 600 μm, 425 μm, 300 μm, 212 μm, 150
μm 63 μm, empty pan) and left to shake for a period of 5 minutes. The idea is that
each sieve would collect the respective grain size in the pan while filtering out any
other smaller particles into the pan below. The mass of sand used was about 300g.

47
They were inserted into a series of 9 sieve pans with different mesh size. The mass of
pan before sieving and after sieving was taken to observe the mass of different grains
in 1 particular sample set.

Table 2 shows the accumulation of data for 1st sample

The actual weight of the soil sample retained on the sieves calculated when
minus final reading of the sieves with initial reading. The percentage of soil sample
on each sieve are determined by dividing the actual weight to the total weight and
multiplying it by 100 %.Subsequently, the cumulative weight and percentages are
obtained.

Figure 4.26 shows the graph of cumulative percentage of grains against Phi value of
1st soil sample

48
The frequency curve was plotted with the phi value of the sieves against the
cumulative frequency. The phi value for the percentages of 5%, 16%, 25%, 50%, 75%,
84% and 95% were obtained in order to further calculate for the mean, standard
deviation, kurtosis and skewness.

Mean

Mean indicates the average particle size. It also one of the most valuable measure as
it described as the force which was applied in order to transport the grains or in other
words known as the energy state of the particles.

Value from(ø) To(ø) Equal

- infi -1 Gravel

-1 0 Very coarse sand

+0 +1 Coarse sand

+1 +2 Medium Sand

+2 +3 Fine sand

+3 +4 Very fine sand

+4 +8 Silt

+8 + infi Clay

Table 2: Classification of the phi values to the particle size

49
Standard Deviation

Standard deviation is the measure of the degree of sorting, it indicates whether the
particles are well sorted or poorly sorted. The higher values indicate that the sediments
are poorly sorted.

Value from(ø) To(ø) Equal

0.00 0.35 Very well sorted

0.35 0.50 Well sorted

0.50 0.71 Moderately well sorted

0.71 1.00 Moderately sorted

1.00 2.00 Poorly sorted

2.00 4.00 Very poorly sorted

4.00 infinity Extremely poorly

sorted

Table 3: Classification of the phi values to the degree of sorting

Skewness

Skewness is the degree of asymmetry of a frequency or cumulative curve. The

skewness indicates if the measure of particles ranging is positively skewed or
negatively skewed.

50
 Values To Mathematically Graphically Skewed
from

+1.00 +0.30 Strongly positive skewed Very negative phi values,

coarse

+0.30 +0.10 Positive skewed Negative phi values

+0.10 -0.10 Near symmetrical Symmetrical

-0.10 -0.30 Negative skewed Positive phi values

-0.30 -1.00 Strongly negative Very positive phi values, fine

skewed

Table 4: Classification of the phi values to the skewness

Kurtosis

Kurtosis is the degree of peakedness or the shift from the normal frequency or the
cumulative curve. The leptokurtic curves are excessively peaked, which shows that
the center is better sorted than the ends, the platykurtic curved are flat-peaked which
indicates that the ends are better sorted than the center. Mesokurtic curves represents
the normal bell-shaped curve.

Value from(ø) To(ø) Equal

0.41 0.67 Very platykurtic

0.67 0.90 Platykurtic

0.90 1.11 Mesokurtic

1.10 1.50 Leptokurtic

1.50 3.00 Very leptokurtic

3.00 infinity Extremely leptokurtic

Table 5: Classification of the phi values to the peakedness

51
Data analysis

Standard
Sample Mean Kurtosis Skewness
Deviation

a 0.58 0.82 3.26 -1.41

b 0.63 1.3 6.05 -1.43

c 0.74 1.36 3.3 -1.1

Average 0.65 1.17 4.20 -1.31

Table 6: Average of mean, standard deviation, kurtosis and skewness

Grain Size Analysis Interpretation

From the results it is obvious that the mean indicates the grain size at the Outcrop 1 is
of coarse grains in an average. The mean size generally indicates that the fine sand
was transported at a relatively lower energy condition compared to the coarser fraction
of the sand. It can also be deduced that the finer sediments were transported by the
means of saltation and suspension, whereas the coarser ones by the means of bedload.
The standard deviation which helps to identify the sorting of the sediments shows that
the sediments are very poorly sorted. The sorting is also an indicator of the distance
of transport, this shows that the sediments have travelled a fair distance of transport.
The kurtosis graph shows that it is extremely leptokurtic in nature. This shows that
part of the sediments has achieved its sorting elsewhere in a high energy environment.
Sediments which are dominant in leptokurtic reveals the maturity of the sand and the
variation in the sorting value is due to the continuous addition of fine and coarse
sediments in varying proportion. Based on the analysis performed, the skewness
indicates that the data is strongly negative skewed. The skewness provides the
measure of the tendency of the data spreading favorably to one side of the values. The
negatively skewed data shows that the sediments are coarser. The negatively skewed
particles are also probably due to the sediments deposited at environments dominated
by the strong currents.

52
XRF Results

Outcrop A
Elements Percentage

Si 71.0 %

White sandstone Al 17.5 %

K 6.25 %

Fe 1.45 %

Ti 1.35 %

Table 7: XRF result of white sandstone

Elements Percentage

Fe 44.7 %

Red sandstone Si 38.4 %

Al 10.2 %

K 4.00 %

Ti 0.783 %

Table 8: XRF result of red sandstone

Elements Percentage

Si 60.9 %

Al 17.3 %

Shale K 12.9 %

Fe 4.76 %

Ti 1.96 %

P 1.03 %

Table 9: XRF result of Shale

53
 Elements Percentage

Si 71.1 %

Mudstone Al 16.1 %

K 6.69 %

Fe 2.76 %

Ti 1.30 %

P 1.03 %

Table 10: XRF result of mudstone

Outcrop B

Elements Percentage

Si 59.2 %

Shale Al 17.0 %

K 14.3 %

Fe 5.18 %

Ti 2.05 %

P 0.780 %

Table 11: XRF result of shale

Elements Percentage

Fe 50.9 %

Chert(reddish) Si 32.9 %

Al 9.46 %

K 4.68 %

Ti 0.621 %

Table 12: XRF result of chert

54
XRF Analysis

The XRF analysis is conducted in order to know the percentage of elemental

composition of the samples collected. Each rock sample has their respective elemental
composition which is the basic building block of a particular rock. According to the
XRF results that has been obtained from the study area, Outcrop A has sandstone
which is composed of 71% of sandstone. Meanwhile, the reddish sandstone has 44.7%
of Iron and 38.4% of sandstone. This clearly indicates that it has undergoes oxidation
of iron oxide. Besides, the siliceous shale that present in Outcrop A indicates that it
is mostly made up of silica with 60.9%.Another significant lithology that present in
the outcrop is mudstone whicho has a high percentage of silica with 71%.On the other
hand, Outcrop B has 2 type of lithology which is shale and chert where shale is mostly
composed of Si with 59.2% while chert is mostly made up of Iron with 50.9 %.Overall
result of the of the XRF indicates that both the outcrop is made up of siliciclastic rock
which is evident through the high percentage of quartz(resembled through the high
percentage of silica ).The oxidation of iron clearly can be seen on red sandstone and
ferruginous chert therefore it surpasses percentage of silica.

55
 CHAPTER 5

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Conclusions

The objective of the research is to identify the environment of deposition of Kati

Formation with the results obtained from sedimentological study, petrography
analysis, grain size analysis as well as XRF.

First of all, the sedimentology study of both Outcrop A and B clearly shows
sedimentary features of a deep marine environment. Outcrop A has features such as
load casts, flute casts and rhythmic associated with deep marine environment of
deposition. Meanwhile Outcrop B is made up of shale and chert rock which has regular
bedding. The thick beds of chert only can be found in deep marine deposits.

Petrography study on the other hand shows the sandstone are compositionally matured
with high quartz/feldspar ratio which probably due to these deposits were subjected
to significant chemical weathering at the source area or depositional site. The high
chemical maturity coupled with the predominant suite of a well-rounded resistate
zircon in the heavy minerals would suggest derivation from preexisting sediments.

Grain size analysis shows that the particles are coarse grain size in which depicts
through the high energy environment of deposition. The grains are poorly sorted .Poor
sorting is due to continuous addition of fine and coarse grain sediments in varying
proportion. The sorting also gives an idea that the sediments has travelled a fair
distance. The extreme leptokurtic nature of the sediments indicates the high energy
environment meanwhile the sediments are strongly negatively skewed which also
resembles the formation of coarser sediments due to strong current.

Last but not least the XRF analysis shows the siliciclastic properties of each lithology
on both Outcrop A and B as the percentage of silica relatively high on most of the
samples that has been collected. This is further supported by the thin section analysis
of sandstone which has high quartz content.

56
As a conclusion, the observation and interpretation of sedimentary structures and rock
composition in the clastic sequence of the Kati Formation and the rocks at Seri
Iskandar are all consistent with a deep marine slope environment of deposition. The
tectonic setting and depositional environment of the Kati Formation suggest it is
regionally confined to the slope and basin in the western part of Peninsular Malaysia.

5.2 Recommendations

The surface rock samples found in most of the outcrops were weathered, hence making
thin sections to accurately identify the type of rock that makes up the outcrop was a
challenge. A recommendation would be to collect fresh subsurface rock samples
through coring for the respective outcrop to know the in order to avoid this problem.

57
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H. A. Alkhali and W. S. Chow, "The Kati Formation: A Review," in ICIPEG 2014 -

Proceedings of the International Conference on Integrated Petroleum Engineering and
Geosciences, 2014.

H. A. Alkhali, W. S. Chow and B. J. Pierson, "Assessment of the Paleozoic clastic

deposits of Seri Iskandar as an element of a hydrocarbon system as a potential
hydrocarbon reservoirs," in Proceedings of the Second International Conference on
Integrated Petroleum Engineering and Geosciences, Kuala Lumpur, 2012.

B. J. Pierson, A. K. Askury, W. S. Chow and Z. T. Zuhar, "Paleozoic hydrocarbon

plays in and around Peninsular Malaysia: any chance of exploration success?," in
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K. Y. Foo, "The Paleozoic sedimentary rocks of Peninsular Malaysia - Stratigraphy

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Hutchison, C.S, 2007, Geological Evolution of South-East Asia (2nd Edition),

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Lee,C.P.,2009,Paleozoic stratigraphy, in Hutchison,C.S. and Tan,N.K.(eds),Geology

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Mustaffa Kamal Shuib. (2009). Major faults. In C. S. Hutchinson & D. N. Tan (Eds.),
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APPENDIX

60
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63