Paleogene Development of Sundaland
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51835/bsed.2026.52.1.518Keywords:
Sundaland, Paleogene, Tectonic developmentAbstract
The Paleogene tectonostratigraphy of Sundaland can be subdivided into Pre-rift (Pre- Cenozoic and Paleocene) and Syn-rift (Eocene and Oligocene) megasequences. The Pre-rift Paleogene, represented mainly by Paleocene, was the time of non-deposition and denudation practically over the whole Sundaland, except at a few places along its peripheries, where arc volcanism took place. These volcanics are the Jatibarang and the Cikotok Volcanics in western Java, with its respective associated subduction zones at Loh Ulo and Ciletuh. In Sumatra, they are the Kikim Tuffs (South Sumatra) and the Brueh Volcanics (North Sumatra) and its associated back-arc and shelf basins (carbonate platform). At this time, the Sundaland was tectonically stable. The Syn-rift Paleogene consists of Eocene and Oligocene deposits, mainly of terrestrial facies (fluviatile and lacustrine), partly with marine incursions, such as in the North Sumatra and South Sumatra. Sedimentation was restricted to narrow rift-valleys grabens and half-grabens surrounding the core of the Sunda Shield in SW Kalimantan. The bounding faults show a definite pattern, anti-clock-wise from N Sumatra-NW Java, NW-SE and N-S; Eastern Java E-W and NNE-SSW; SE Kalimantan WNW-ESE; E. Kalimantan NNW-SSE, and Natuna basin: NE-SW and NW-SE. Tectonically, Sundaland was in an extensional regime during most of the Paleogene. In its western part, Sundaland is characterized by trans-tensional tectonics: the NW-SE trending right-lateral Mentawai Trans-current Fault (transform fault) formed a plate-boundary with corresponding Padang Island Fault forming a couple to form the N-S and NW-SE trending grabens. In the east, the West Sulawesi micro-continent rifted away to form the Makassar Strait basins, initiating NNE-SSW trending grabens and half-grabens with syn-rift deposition. To the south, the presence of a subduction is questionable, as no volcanic rocks of either Eocene and Oligocene age has been radiometrically identified. At the continental edge, however, at least in western Java, a prograding depositional sequence of deltaic to shallow marine deposits overlain by reefal limestones have been identified similar to a passive margin depositional sequence. To the north in west central Kalimantan arc volcanism indicates the presence of fore-arc basins.
References
Aimar, A., K.W. Nugroho, K.B. Catim, B.F. Harry & H. Suryanto (2016)- Parit Minyak Field Kisaran Block PSC: strategic approaches to develop a geologically complex, low permeability and remote field in the Central Sumatera Basin. Proc. 40th Ann. Conv. Indon. Petroleum Assoc. (IPA), Jakarta, IPA16-4-E, 14p.
Aldrich, Jeffrey B., Gary P. Pinehart, Susandhi Ridwan and Martin A. Schuepbach, 1995, Paleogene basin architecture of the Sunda and Asri basins and associated non marine sequence stratigraphy: Proc. International Symposium on Sequence Stratigraphy, IPA, Jakarta, May 1996, p.261-287.
Bransden, P.J.E. and S.J. Matthews, 1992, Structural and stratigraphic evolution of the East Java Sea, Indonesia: Proc. Indon. Petroleum Assoc. 21st Ann. Conv., V. II, p.417-443
Cameron, N. R., Clarke, M. C. G., Aldiss, D. T. Aspden, J. A, and Djunuddin, A, 1980. The geological evolution of northern Sumatra. Proceedings Indonesian Petroleum Association, no. 9, v. 1, p. 150-187.
Caughey, Charles A., and Turcahyo Wachyudi, 1993, Gas reservoirs in the Lower Miocene Peutu Formation, Aceh Timur, Sumatra: Proc. Indon. Petroleum Assoc 22nd Ann. Conv., I, p.191-218
Daines, S.R., 1985, Structural history of the West Natuna Basin and the tectonic evaluation of the Sunda region: Proc. IPA 14th Ann. Conv. Jakarta, 1985, p.39-62
Ebanks, W. J. Jr., Cook, C.B.P., 1993. Sedimentology and reservoir properties of Eocene Ngimbang Clastics sandstones in core of the Pagenungan 5 well, Pagerungan Field, East Java Sea, Indonesia. In: Atkinson, C.D., Scott, J., Young, R. (ad), Clastic Rocks and Reservoirs of Indonesia a Core Workshop, Indonesian Petroleum Association Core Workshop Notes, 9 36.
Eubank, R.T.; and Makki, A.C. 1981, Structural geology of the Central Sumatra back-arc basin: Proc. IPA 10th Ann Conv.; p.153-196
Feriansyah, Liesye T., John L.C. Chambers, Sri H. Dewantohadi, M. Syaiful and Tonny Priantono, 1999 (2000), Structural and stratigraphic framework of the Paleogene in the northern Kutei Basin, East Kalimantan: Proc. 27th Ann. Conv. & Exhibition Indon. Petroleum Assoc., Jakarta Oct. 2000, p.
Fraser, T.H., Ichram, L.A., 1999/2000, Significance of Celebes Sea spreading center to the Paleogene petroleum systems of the SE Sunda Margin, Central Indonesia: Proc. 27th Ann. Conv. Indon. Petroleum Assoc. (IPA), Jakarta, p.431-441.
Gage and Wings in 1978, Gage, Michael S. and Richard S. Wing, 1980, Southeast Asian Basin - Types Versus Oil Opportunities: Proc. IPA 19th Ann. Conv., Jakarta, June 1980, p.123-148
Ginger, D.C., W.O. Ardjakusumah, R.J. Hedley, J. Pothecary,.1993, Inversion history of the West Natuna basin; Examples from the Cumi-cumi PSC: Proc. Indon. Petroleum Assoc. 22nd Ann. Conv. (Jakarta, Oct. 1993), p. 235-239
Guritno, Elly. E. and John Chambers, 1999/2000, North Runtu PSC: The first proven Eocene petroleum play in the Kutei Basin: Proc. 27th Ann. Conv. & Exhibition Indon. Petroleum Assoc., Jakarta Oct. 2000, p.
Gresko, M., Suria, C. and Sinclair, S., 1995, Basin evolution of the Arjuna Rift System and its implications for hydrocarbon exploration, offshore Northwest Java, Indonesia: Proc. IPA 24th Ann. Conv., October 1995, p. 147-161
Heidrick Tom L. and Karsani Aulia, 1993, A structural and tectonic model of the Coastal Plain block, Central Sumatra Basin, In: Proc. Indon. Petroleum Assoc. 22th Ann. Conv., V. I, p.285-318
Hamilton, W., 1979, Tectonics of the Indonesian region: U.S. Geol. Survey (USGS) Prof. Paper, 1078, p.1-345
Harahap, B.H., Bachri, S, Baharudin, Suwarna, N., Panggabean, H. and Simanjuntak, T.O, 2003, Stratigraphic lexicon of Indonesia: Geological Research and Development Center (GRDC), Agency for Research and Development of Energy and Mineral Resources, Ministry for Energy and Mineral Resources, 729p.
Heidrick, Tom L. and Karsani Aulia, 1993, A structural and tectonic model of the Coastal Plain block, Central Sumatra Basin, In: Proc. Indon. Petroleum Assoc. 22th Ann. Conv., V. I, p.285-318
Hutabarat, Johannes, 2011, Karakteristik Geokimia dan Petrologi Batuan Volkanik Jatibarang di Jawa Barat Utara Serta implikasinya Terhadap Sistem Volkanisme Paleogen: Doctorate Disertation. ITB
Kaldi, J.G., MacGregor, D.S., O'Donnell, G.P., 1997. Seal capacity in dynamic petroleum systems: example from Pagerungan Gas Field, East Java Sea, Indonesia. In: Howes, J.V.C., Noble, R.A. led), Proceedings International Conference on Petroleum System of South East Asia and Australasia, Jakarta, 829 836.
Koesoemadinata, R.P., 2020, Introduction into the Geology of Indonesia; 2 Volumes, 1700p; Jakarta: ITB Geology Alumni Assoc. Jakarta
Koning, T. (1985)- Petroleum geology of the Ombilin intermontane basin, West Sumatra. Proc. 14th Ann. Conv. Indon. Petroleum Assoc. (IPA), Jakarta, 1, p. 117-137.
Kusuma, I. and Darin, T., 1989, The hydrocarbon potential of the Lower Tanjung Formation, Barito Basin, SE Kalimantan, Proc. Indon. Petroleum Assoc. Ann. Conv. v.1, p.107-138
Lambiase, J. J., 1990, A model for tectonic control of lacustrine stratigraphic sequences in continental rift basins: in Katz, B.J., Lacustrine basin exploration, Case Studies and Modern Analogues: Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologist Memoir No. 50, p. 265-276
Lambiase and Morley, 1999, Lambiase, Joseph J and Christopher K. Morley, 1999, Hydrocarbons in rift-basins: the role of stratigraphy: Phil. Trans. R. Soc. London, vol. 357, p.877-900
Lee, R.A.; 1982; Petroleum geology of the Malacca Strait Contract Area (Central Sumatra Basin); Proc. IPA 11th Ann Conv.; p.243-263
Letouzey, J., Wetner, P., and Marty, A., 1990. Fault reactivation and structural inversion; back arc and intra-plate compressive deformations: example of the eastern Sunda Shelf (Indonesia). Tectonophysics, 183, 341 362. Elsevier, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Longley, I.M.; Barraclough, R., Bridden, M.A. and Brown, S.; 1990; Pematang lacustrine petroleum source rocks from the Malacca Straits PSC, Central Sumatra Indonesia: Proc. IPA 19th Ann Conv.; p.279-297
Manur, H. and Barraclough, R., 1994, Structural control on hydrocarbon habitat in the Bawean area, East Java Sea: Proc. Indon. Petroleum Assoc. Proc. 23rd Ann. Conv. (Jakarta, 1994) v.1, p.129-144.
Mertosono, S. and G.A.S. Nayoan, 1974, Tertiary basinal area of Central Sumatra: Proc. Indon. Petroleum Assoc. 3rd Ann. Con, (Jakarta, June 3-4, 1974), p.63-76
Metcalfe, I., 1988, Origin and assembly of Southeast Asian Continental terranes, in: Audley-Charles, M.G and Hallam, A., (Eds), 1988, Gondwana and Tethys: Geol. Soc. London Special Publ 37, p.101-118
Moulds, P.J., 1989; Development of the Bengkalis Depression, Central Sumatra and its subsequence deformation - A model for other Sumatran Grabens? Proc. IPA 13th Ann Conv.; p.217-24
Noble, Ron A., Kakung H. Pratomo, Kuntandi Nugrahanto, Anditya M.T. Ibrahim, Indra Prasetya, Nizar Mujahidin, C.H. Wu, and J.V.C. Howes, 1997, Petroleum systems of Northwest Java, Proc. Petroleum Systems of SE Asia and Australasia Conf., Indonesia, Indon. Petroleum Assoc., May 1997, p.585-600.
Nur' Aini, S., R. Hall & C.F. Elders (2005)- Basement architecture and sedimentary fill of the North Makassar Straits basin. Proc. 30th Ann. Conv. Indon. Petroleum Assoc. (IPA), Jakarta, p. 483-497.
Pulunggono, A. and Cameron, N.R., 1984, Sumatran micro plates, their characteristics and their role in the evolution of the Central and South Sumatra basins: Proc. Indon. Petroleum Assoc. 13th Ann. Conv., p.121-144.
Ryacudu, Rudy 2005, Studi Endapan Syn-rift Paleogen di Cekungan Sumatra Selatan: Doctorate Disertation. ITB
Saller, A., S.W. Reksalegora & P. Bassant (2010)- Sequence stratigraphy and growth of shelfal carbonates in a deltaic province, Kutai Basin, Offshore East Kalimantan. In: W.A. Morgan, A.D. George et al. (eds.) Cenozoic carbonate systems of Australasia, Soc. Sedimentary Geology (SEPM), Spec. Publ. 95, p. 147-174.
Smyth, H.R., 2005, Eocene to Miocene basin history and volcanic history in East Java, Indonesia [Ph.D. thesis]: University of London, p. 476.
Smyth, H.R., Hall, R., and Nichols, G.J., 2008, Cenozoic volcanic arc history of East Java, Indonesia: The stratigraphic record of eruptions on an active continental margin, in Draut, A.E., et al., eds., Lessons from the Stratigraphic Record in Arc Collision Zones: Geological Society of America Special Publication 436, doi: 10.1130/2008.2436(10).
Soeria-Atmadja, R, D. Noeradi, B. Priadi, 1999, Cenozoic magmatism in Kalimantan and its related geodynamic evolution; Journal of Asia Earth Science 17; p25-45.
Soeria-Atmadja, R, Maury, R.C., Bellon, H., Pringgoprawiro, H. Polve, M., and Priadi, B., 1994, Tertiary magmatic belts in Java: Journal of Southeast Asian Earth Sciences, vol.9, No. 12, pp. 13-27
Stauffer, P.H., 1974, Malaya and Southeast Asia in the pattern of continental drift: Bul. Geol. Soc. Malaysia, 7, p.89-138.
Stauffer, P.H., 1983, Unraveling the mosaic of Paleozoic crustal blocks in Southeast Asia: Geol. Rundschau, 72, 3, p.89-138
Sudarmono, Suherman T and Benny Eza,1997, Paleogene development in Sundaland and its role to the petroleum systems in Western Indonesia: Proc. Petroleum Systems of SE Asia and Australasia Conf, Indon. Petroleum Assoc., Jakarta May 1997, p.545-560.
Van Bemmelen, R.W., 1949. The Geology of Indonesia. Vol. 1A: General Geology of Indonesia and Adjacent Archipelagos. Vol. 1B: Portfolio (maps, charts, indexes and references). Vol. 2: Economic Geology, (2nd edition, 1970), 3 Vols. Government Printing, Martinus Nijhoff., The Hague.
Yaseen, F.F., Gardjito, W., McCauley, M.E., 1993. Development of Pagerungan gas Field, Kangean Block PSC area. Proceedings 22nd Indonesian Petroleum Association Annual Convention, 22 (2), 495 508. Indonesian Petroleum Association, Jakarta, Indonesia
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 R. P. Koesoemadinata
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Licensing and Copyright Agreement
In submitting the manuscript to BERITA SEDIMENTOLOGI, the authors certify that:
- They are authorized by their co-authors to enter into these arrangements.
- The work described has not been formally published before, except in the form of an abstract or as part of a published lecture, review, thesis, or overlay journal.
- That it is not under consideration for publication elsewhere.
- That its publication has been approved by all the author(s) and by the responsible authorities – tacitly or explicitly – of the institutes where the work has been carried out.
- They secure the right to reproduce any material that has already been published or copyrighted elsewhere.
- They agree to the following license and copyright agreement.
Copyright
Authors who publish with BERITA SEDIMENTOLOGI agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant BERITA SEDIMENTOLOGI the right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Common Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work’s authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g. post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g. in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.
Non-Exclusive Commercial License
Forum Sedimentologiwan Indonesia (FOSI) and Ikatan Ahli Geologi Indonesia (IAGI), as the publishers of BERITA SEDIMENTOLOGI, occasionally will compile previously published volumes, reproduce them and put the copies into a media (e.g. DVD or USB drive) that later can be sold in exchange for a small amount of fees. The fees are not meant to gain profit from this journal publication, however they are to cover the production cost only.
By publishing with BERITA SEDIMENTOLOGI, the Authors agree to grant this journal and its publisher a Non-Exclusive Commercial License to compile, reproduce and sell the publication copies in a DVD or USB drive media and will not claim any rights/shares from the generated income in the future.
