A petrographic study on sandstones from the Meluhu Formation,

Southeast Sulawesi, Eastern Indonesia

SURONO

Geological Research and Development Centre

JI. Diponegoro 57, Bandung
40122, Indonesia

Abstract: The Meluhu Formation, which is widely distributed in the Southeast Arm of Sulawesi,
Eastern Indonesia, is dominated by sandstone intercalated with mudstone, siltstone and shale in the
lower part and limestone, siltstone and shale in the upper part. The formation is unconformably
underlain by metamorphic complex and unconformably overlain by Palaeogene oolitic limestone strata
of the Tampakura Formation.
Petrographic study of 78 selected sandstones and 50 X-ray analyses of shale and siltstone from the
Meluhu Formation. Sandstone fragments are dominated by quartz and lithic. The most probable source
of the sandstone is a recycle orogen. The source area is likely to have a rugged topography with possible
warm climate and high rainfall.
Abstrak: Formasi Meluhu yang tersebar luas di Lengan Tenggara Sulawesi, Indonesia Timur, dikuasai
oleh batupasir bersisipan batulumpur, batulanau dan serpih di bagiannya bawah serta batugamping,
batulanau dan serpih di bagian atasnya. Formasi ini menindih takselaras batuan malihan dan tertindih
takselaras oleh satuan batugamping oolitan dari Formasi Tampakura yang berumur Paleogen.
Petrografi dari 78 batupasir terpilih dan 50 analisaX-ray dari serpih dan batulanau dilakukan pada
perconto dari Formasi Meluhu. Kepingan-kepingan batupasirnya dikuasai oleh kuarsa dan batuan.
Diduga batupasir berasal dari daerah recycle orogen. Daerah asal batupasir ini tampaknya mempunyai
topografi kasar beriklim hangat curah hujan yang tinggi.

INTRODUCTION These thin sections include 42 from the Toronipa

Member, 19 from the Watutaluboto Member and
The Meluhu Formation, which crops widely out the remaining 17 from the Tuetue Member.
in the Southeast Arm of Sulawesi (Fig. 1), is The main aim of the analysis was to determine
unconformably underlain by low grade the sandstone composition in order to interpret the
metamorphics and is unconformably overlain by source area character and tectonics. According to
oolitic limestone strata of the Paleogene Tampakura Ingersoll et al. (1993) third order major rivers, deltas
Formation (Surono, 1994a). Both formations and and submarine fans are an excellent predictors of
the low-grade metamorphic basement were named plate tectonic setting. The Meluhu Formation
as the Southeast Sulawesi Continental Terrain by sandstone was deposited in meandering river and
Surono (1994a). The Meluhu Formation consists of tide-dominated delta environments. The samples
(from the bottom upward) the Toronipa, were all selected from a restricted grain size range
Watutaluboto and Tuetue Members. The Toronipa of medium sand size to reduce the effect of grain
Member is the dominant member in the formation. size variation on composition. For these two
This member is dominated by sandstone, while the reasons, the effect of sampling on provenance
Watutaluboto Member consists mainly of mudstone, analysis can essentially be eliminated.
siltstone and shale. The Tuetue Member, on the
other hand, is characterised by the presence of FRAGMENTS
marl and/or limestone in a sequence alternating
between sandstone and mudstone. Depositional Most of the Meluhu Formation sandstone is
environment of the Toronipa, Watutaluboto and grey to dark grey and is composed of 53-82%
Tuetue Members are fluvial, deltaic and shallow framework grains (Table 1). The average grain
marine respectively (Surono, 1994b). size of the sandstone is 0.42 mm, with a common
Petrographic analysis of the Meluhu Formation maximum grain size of 2 mm, but it is pebbly in
has been carried out on 78 representative thin places. While grain sphericity is moderate, the
sections of sandstone and conglomerate (Table 1). shape varies from subrounded to well-rounded.

Geol. Soc. MalaYJia, Bulletin 40, July 1997; pp. 215-231

216 SURONO

Average composition of the framework grains in 68.2%. The polycrystalline quartz ranges from 1.4%
the sandstone is 68.2% monocrystalline quartz, to 33.0%, with a mean of 12.7%.
12.7% polycrystalline quartz, 16.6% lithic grains Undulose extinction, vacuoles and Boehm
and 1.4% feldspar. Based on the sandstone lamellae are common features within the
classification of Folk (1980, Fig. 2), the Meluhu monocrystalline quartz. Some fragments have
Formation sandstone is dominated by biotite and/or tourmaline inclusions. The quartz
sublitharenite with minor lith arenite and fragment shape varies from subrounded to well-
quartzarenite. rounded with moderate to high sphericity. The
presence of embayments, euhedral hexagonal
Quartz bipyramid crystals and zoned-crystal inclusions
Following the empirical classification of Folk within some quartz fragments suggest that these
(1980), quartz grains within the Meluhu Formation fragments were derived from volcanic rocks (Fig.
sandstone can be divided into single or 3). Most of these fragments have straight-extinction
monocrystalline quartz and composite or which, according to Scholle (1978), strongly supports
polycrystalline quartz. Semicomposite quartz of this interpretation. Authigenic quartz overgrowths
Folk (1980) was classified as composite quartz in are present on some euhedral hexagonal bipyramid
this study since it is polycrystalline. Composite quartz fragments.
quartz grains with a metamorphic texture were Generally, the polycrystalline quartz fragments
counted as metamorphic rock fragments. range from subrounded to well-rounded in shape.
The major constituent throughout the sandstone The most common extinction is highly undulose
of the Meluhu Formation is monocrystalline quartz. (greater than two degrees rotation). This suggests
The proportion of quartz in the framework grains that the composite quartz was mainly derived from
varies between 39.2% and 94.8% with a mean of metamorphic rocks.

D TertIary..Quatemary
Sedimentaly RocIcs
Pn Ophiolila (Creta-
I!::!:!l ceous-Eocene)
Paleogene C8rbonates
~ T (Tampalwra F.),
Tb (Tamboraai F.)
omMeaazoic Carbonates
';;;;;1 Mesozoic Clastics
=
::::: M Meluhu Fonnation
~ Metamorphic
Basement
/Fault ~

, 40101

Figure 1. Distribution of the Meluhu Formation in the Kendari area.

GeoL. Soc. MaLaYJia, BuLLetin 40

 Table 1. Petrographic results of sandstones from the Meluhu Formation.
:samPle 804 fi3A 117A 117B 1lMJA 1liUB 1lMJC 2. 281 288 288A 27~ 274B 278 277B 280 801 802 803 128A 128B 807 384 388
location A2 eo eo eo B1 B1 B1 B1 B1 B1 B1 B1 B1 B1 B1 B1 B1 B1 B1 B2 B2 B2 B2 B2
Size Average 0.5 0 3 0.8 0.8 0.4 0.2 0.3 0.5 0.2 0.8 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.2 1 0.8 0.5 1 1 0.5 0.5 0.5 »
-u
% Matrix 11.2 6 12.3 8.7 24.8 32.7 37.4 18.5 11 9.8 13.8 40.2 8.4 4.7 3.8 8.1 9 4.2 7.4 15.2 18.4 8.3 3.7 5.8 ~
:rJ
%MonoQz. 52.7 73 23.7 42.7 27.1 29.2 28.6 60.3 48.4 70.2 48.5 34.3 82.3 54.4 47.1 70.5 42 31.8 59.3 42.9 54.6 47.1 44.4 45.2 o
%PoIyQz. G>
7.76 6 5.08 8.58 11.3 10.9 5.08 12.6 10.6 8.54 10.4 13.5 10.9 11.1 10 7.08 8 7.08 11.1 11 13.8 11.3 2.31 8.71 :rJ
0 0 0.24 1.44 0.51 1.15 2.42 0.46 0.59 1.01 1.22 1.61 3.38 1.37 1.08 1.88 1 1.35 1.3 2.08 4.4 0 1.01 1.19 »
% Felda"aJ -u
I
% K-feldS()8r 0 0 0.12 0.38 0.34 0.57 1.31 0.23 0.3 0.51 0.5 0.11 1.9 0.58 0.15 0.85 1 0.61 0.49 1.15 2.46 0 0.51 0.87 (')
% Plagioclase 0 0 0.12 1.08 0.17 0.57 1.11 0.23 0.3 0.51 0.72 1.5 1.48 0.81 0.92 0.17 0 0.74 0.82 0.93 1.94 0 0.51 0.52 en
--I
c
%VRF 0 0 4.48 1.44 0 0.88 0.34 0 0 0 0 0.39 0 0 0.38 0 0 0 0 3.58 0 0 1.3 0.3 o
-<
%MRF 4.85 0 19.2 14.8 10.4 4.3 6.77 3.79 11.3 4.73 11.1 1.39 3.22 8.61 12.3 2.73 10 18.8 1.08 6.18 1.94 10.2 11.3 7.89 o2
% Melquartz. 4.55 0 14.9 11.7 8.32 3.15 8.05 3.79 10.6 4.31 10 1.39 2.39 8.61 11.5 2.73 8 14.4 0 4.37 0.97 7.38 8.08 7
% Schist 0 0 1.94 3.1 1.76 1.15 0.73 0 0 0 1.08 0 0.82 0 0.82 0 2 2.15 1.08 1.72 0.97 0.46 2.6 0 ~
2
o
% Slate 0.3 0 2.42 0 0.28 0 0 0 0.67 0.34 0 0 0 0 0.15 0 1 2.22 0 0.07 0 2.36 0.85 0.89 en
%SRF 9.33 7 7.74 3.03 7.36 4.58 5.03 0 3.11 0 2.44 1.33 2.56 4.83 5.92 2.98 10 8.47 8.72 5.01 0 7.48 11.8 10.7 b2
% Siltstone 7.31 0.5 0.39 0.33 2.01 5.77 2.9 9 6.59 7.5 4.37 0 5.25 9.31 3.85 m
8 8.17 3.03 4.81 2.01 1.79 0 1.85 0 en
% Chert 0.9 1 1.57 0 2.26 2.58 2.66 0 1.28 0 1.93 0.94 2.23 2.82 0.15 0.09 1 0.4 0.18 0.43 0 0 1.88 2.09 ""T1
:rJ
% Sandstone 1.12 0 0 0 0.85 0 0.58 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.48 1.08 0.14 0 2.21 0.85 4.92 o
;;;::
%Undlf. RF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 --I
I
m
% Micas 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.15 0 0.14 0.09 0 0 0 0.16 0.08 0 0 0 0.08 0 0.75 0 0 0.52
:s:::
% Heavymlns 0 0 0 0.14 0 0 0 0.08 0 0 0 0.08 0 0 0.08 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 m
r
C
%Othermlns 0 0 0 0 0 8.3 0 0 0 0 0 2.95 0.08 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.93 0 0 0 0 I
C

Sample 387 391A 388A 388A 400 402 303 308 808 806 408 408 417 428A 442A 442 188A 87 418 480A 481B 488A 47. 72A ";;;::
o
:rJ
Location B2 B2 B2 B2 B2 B2 C1 C1 C1 C2 C3 C3 C3 C4 C4 C4 E3 E8 E8 E8 E8 E8 E8 E8
Size Average 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.8 0.3 0 0.2 0.3 0.5 0.08 0.4 0.05 0.5 0.2 0.4 0.05 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 0 0.3 :!:i
(5
_2
% Matrix 15.2 16.4 11.4 10.3 24.5 7.1 24.5 13 4.8 24.1 8.2 31.4 38.1 13.6 5.8 5.2 4.5 9.1 12.5 23.5 8.2 19.2 21 33.8
(J)
% Mono Qz. 45.7 64.3 81.8 58.7 59.3 39.8 48.4 53 70.3 40.3 46.1 53.7 35.6 58.1 44.5 56 71.9 79.5 SO.9 46.3 48.7 48.8 47 48.1 oC
%PoIyQz. 13 5.93 6.88 4.72 2.6 5.58 13.2 6 6.81 4.91 3.37 0.86 3.15 26.2 27.4 9.11 6.3 11.4 9 9.3 7.78 10.5 5 7.45 --I
I
% Feldspalr 0.88 0.92 0.16 1.9 3.02 0 0 0 0 0.49 1.29 0.06 0 0 1.59 2.24 0.35 0 1.03 0.56 0.6 0.35 1 0.61 m
fJ;
% K-feldspar 0.5 0.54 0 0.46 0.91 0 0 0 0 0.12 0.38 0 0 0 0.59 1.76 0 0 0 0 0.15 0.14 0 0 --I
(J)
% Plagioclase 0.36 0.39 0.16 1.45 2.11 0 0 0 0 0.38 0.93 0.08 0 0 1 0.48 0.35 0 1.03 0.56 0.45 0.21 1 0.81 C
%VRF
%MRF
0
2.52 0.15
0 0
2.36 3.42
0 0 0.42
0 15.4 1.08
0 0 0
2 0.17 2.12
0 0.57 0
8.39 1.28 3.51
0 0 0 0
0 8.37 1.76 1.22
0 0 0 0 0
0 2.95 0.14 5.38 2.23
0 0
3 0.08
0
~
m
% Melquartz. 2.52 0.15 1.89 2.36 0 13.6 1.08 1 0.17 1.27 6.88 1.01 1.26 0 7.7 1.44 1.14 0 2.95 0.14 4.64 1.54 3 0.08 ~
m
% Schist 0 0 0 0 0 0.21 0 0 0 0 1.79 0 2.04 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 »
en
% Slate 0 0 0.47 0.3 0 1.6 0 0 0 0.85 0.29 0.25 0.21 0 0.67 0.32 0.09 0 0 0 0.75 0 0 0 --I
m
:rJ
%SRF 9.5 5.54 7.54 9.13 2.32 7.81 4.02 12 8.87 12.7 11.8 4.4 7.97 1.03 1.17 10.9 6.47 0 9.74 5.94 11.1 8.23 9 4.64 2
% Siltstone 7.34 5.54 6.13 6.54 2.32 7.53 3.81 11 7.41 11.3 11.3 3.58 5.5 1.03 0.59 10.2 5.95 0 9.08 1.75 8.97 1.54 3 3.42 Z
o
% Chert 1.08 0 0.18 0.23 0 0.07 0.07 1 0.95 0.3 0.14 0.57 1.57 0 0.59 0.72 0.18 0 0.66 0.28 0 8.7 0 0.73 o2
% Sandstone 1.08 0 1.26 2.36 0 0.21 0.14 1 0.52 1.15 0.38 0.25 0.89 0 0 0 0.35 0 0 3.92 2.09 0 6 0.49 m
en
%Undlf.RF 0 0 0 0 0 0 3.31 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5>
% Micas 0.36 0.15 0 0.15 0.7 0.7 0.35 0 0 0 0.14 1.26 2.2 0.09 0.08 0 0.7 0 0.15 6.3 1.2 0.58 0 0.18
% Heavymlns 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.07 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
%Othermlns 0 0 0 0 2.25 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.32 0 0 0 0 0.53 0 0 1.33 0 0 0 0
 Table 1. Petrographic results of sandstones from the Meluhu Formation (cont'd).
Sample 72D 72E 7SA 748 I1A liB nA 82a NA 317 322 333a 333C 348 380 88a lee 101A I88A ..sa II8IC IIID I88E 741
LocatIon E8 E8 E8 E8 E8 E8 E8 E8 E8 D3 D3 D3 D3 D3 D3 Cli Cli Cli II 1& 1& 1& 1& •
Size Average 0.3 0.4 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.1 OA 0.3 0.3 0.4 0 0.2 2.5 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.5 0.3 0.3 0.2
% MatrIx 28.3 35A 54.2 8 15 37.8 42.5 21.2 18 10.5 24.4 4.8 8.4 13 35.8 8.1 48.5 38.5 38.3 28.1 11.4 32.1 28 11.7
% Mono 01. 48.5 30.4 42.8 43.4 63 38 48.2 48.2 81.8 55A 45.8 54A 58.8 51 47.5 33.8 38.7 24.2 33.7 45.3 47.4 35.3 42 52.3
% Poly 01. 10.2 7.41 0.84 28.7 4.28 9.13 3.88 8.2 8.73 8.08 7.2 18.8 8.24 11 2.5 5.03 2.92 4.14 3.85 9.S 12.5 11.1 12.7 18.8
%Feldapar 1.08 0.77 0.54 0.81 0 0.18 0 0 0 4.• 3.54 3.5 3.28 3 1.18 1.11 0.18 1.13 0 0.32 0 0 0.48 1.81
%K.feIds.,... 0 0.28 0 0.18 0 0.12 0 0 0 1.82 2.88 2.87 2.75 2 0.51 0.48 0 0.45 0 0.32 0 0 0.48 0.32
% Plagioclase 1.08 0.51 0.54 0.85 0 0.08 0 0 0 3.07 0.84 0.83 0.55 1 0.88 0.85 0.19 0.88 0 0 0 0 0 1.58
%VRF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.31 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.43
%MRF 0.2 2.87 0 2.51 0 1.7 0.54 0.4 0 0.92 2.38 2.92 2.7S 4 0 12.7 0.19 0.8 0 0.19 4.24 2.18 2.47 0.84
% Met.quarlz 0.2 2.48 0 2.51 0 1.7 0.54 0.4 0 0.92 2.38 2.82 2.75 4 0 8.3 0.18 0.8 0 0 3.12 1.41 0 0.84
% Schist 0 0.21 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3.33 0 0 0 0 1.12 0 2.01 0
% Slate 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.05 0 0 0.35 0 0 0.68 0 0
%SRF 8.18 9.85 0.38 8.85 13.8 5.54 3.17 11.7 5.44 8.81 5AS JS.58 7.22 8 8.19 11.5 4.05 14.5 11.4 7.27 9.87 8.21 8.58 8.21
% Siltstone 8.18 3.18 O~ 4.54 11.2 3.17 1.84 9.47 4.29 S.37 4.18 4.75 5.02 S 3.81 9.88 2.17 11.8 10 8.3 8.28 7.29 2.27 8.21
% Chert 0 0.15 0 1.85 2.21 1.85 1.24 0.87 1.15 1.54 0.84 0.83 2.2 1 1.38 2.22 1.41 2.79 1.35 0.58 0.45 0.29 1.38 0
%SandstDne 0 8.52 0 0.18 0.38 0.43 0 1.4 0 0 0.84 0 0 0 0.48 0.72 0.47 0.09 0 0.38 1.27 0.83 2.92 0
%Undlf.RF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
% Micas 0.2 0.1 0.41 0.97 0.21 0.18 0.27 0.13 0.77 0.08 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.14 0.75 1.28 0.3 0.57 0.78 0.08
% Heavymlns 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.18 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.15 0 0 0.12 0 0.08 en
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 c::
%Othermlns 0 0 0
~
o
Sample 747 732A 7328 732C 38A l~ SD MIN. MAX.
LocatIon • • • • • EXPLANAnoN:
Size Average 0.3 0.3 0.1 0.4 0 OA2 0.43 0.05 3 MRF :M"~h~R~F~mem
% Matrix 1S.4 5.2 34.8 5 2 17.7 12.5 2 54.2 SRF : Sedimentary R~ Fragmem
% Mono 01. 28.3 50 42.2 42.8 55 48.1 11.7 23.7 78.5 VRF :V~n~R~F~mem
% Poly 01. 5.08 20.3 10.3 18.4 7 8.12 5.27 0.88 27.4 Undlf. RF : Undlfferancied R~ F~mem
%Feldspar 0 0 0 0 2 1.01 1.12 0 4.• SO : Standard DevIatIon
% Kofeldspar 0 0 0 0 1 0.48 0.71 0 2.88 • : Sample from Labuanbajo Peninsula
% Plagioclase 0 0 0 0 1 0.63 0.57 0 3.07
%VRF 0.18 0 0 0 0 0.22 0.71 0 4.48
%MRF 0.84 1.57 0.38 8.28 8 4.08 4.83 0 18.2
%Met.quartz 0.12 1.S7 0.38 5.24 5 3.33 3.8 0 14.8
% Schist 0 0 0 0.38 0 0.43 0.81 0 3.33
% Slate 0 0 0 0.83 1 0.28 0.54 0 2.42
%SRF 22.8 10.5 5.58 10.2 10 7.02 3.98 0 22.8
%SII.tane 18.3 8 .• SA7 8.13 8 S.33 3.81 0 18.3
% Chert 0.35 0.83 0.12 2.42 2 0_ 1.07 0 8.7
%Iandstane 3.23 0.98 0 0 0 0.73 1.33 0 8.52
%Uncllf.RF 0 0 0 0 0 0.04 0.38 0 3.31
%MIcas 0.08 0.33 0.85 0.18 0 0.35 0.82 0 8.3
% Heavymlns 0.18 0.08 0.08 0 0 0.02 0.07 0 OA
% Other minI 0 0 0 0.38 0 0.21 1.28 0 8.88
 APETROGRAPHIC STUDY ON SANDSTONES FROM THE MELUHU FORMATION, SOUTHEAST SULAWESI , EASTERN INDONESIA 219
Feldspar measurements the plagioclase consists of albite,
F~ldspar is present in a number of samples,
oligoclase and andesine. K-feldspar, on the other
especIally from the southern and central parts of hand, is composed of sanidine and microcline. Some
the formation. The range of feldspar content is samples show a mixture of fresh and weathered
between 0.1 and 6.5% of the framework grains; the fragments of oligoclase. According to Folk (1980)
maximum content is in the sandstone from the these are indications that the fragments originated
headwaters of the Lembo River. The feldspar is from a rugged topography and were deposited in a
angular to sub angular indicating that it has not humid climate. Under such conditions a river can
travelled far from the source area. cut through the weathered mantle to the fresh
Both K-feldspar and plagioclase can be found bedrock. Maximum content of plagioclase is 4%
in some samples of the Meluhu Formation. and of K-feldspar is 4.5%.
Plagioclase was identified by its albite and The lateral distribution of feldspar fragments
polysynthetic twinning (Fig. 4). Based on twinning shows that it is more abundant in the southwestern
and Kendari areas which were probably closer to
the source rocks. Figures 5-6 show that the high
content of feldspar relates to a high content of
volcanic rock fragments. Because of this, both the
2%
plagioclase feldspar and volcanic fragments

o MONOCRYST. QUARTZ

JO\ EBipOlYCRYST.QUARTZ

III SEDIMENTARY ROCK

E; METAMORPHIC ROCK
• OTHER MINERALS

Figure 3. Hexagonal bipyramid of quartz fragment

Q surrounded by polycrystalline quartz and phyllitic
sedimentary fragments. The hexagonal quartz has
SUBLITHARENITE embayments and straight extinction indicating the quartz
was derived from volcanic rocks.

F L
B
Figure 2. FragmentcompositionoftheMeluhuFormation
sandstone, A. Showing monocrystalline quartz is dominant.
B. Fragment composition was plotted on triangular diagram Figure 4. Oligoclase with polysynthetic twinning in the
of Folk (1980) . Toronipa Member from Labuanbajo Peninsula.

JuLy j997
220 SURONO

D TOTAl QUARTl FRAGMENTS

o LITHIC FRAQME~8

• FELDSPAR FRAGM~8

[2J PALAEOCURR~ DlRECTl0N8

o 10km

Figure 5. Lateral distribution oftotal quartz fragments, lithic fragments and feldspar fragments within
the sandstone of the Meluhu Formation.

D SEDIMEi'lTARY ROCK FRAGMENTS

METAMORPHIC ROCK FAAGME~S

• VOLCANIC ROCK FRAl3MENTS

[2!] PAlAEOCURRENT DIRECTIONS

o 10km

Figure 6. Lateral distribution oflithic fragments in the sandstone of the Meluhu Formation: sedimentary
rock fragments, metamorphic rock fragments and volcanic rock fragments.

CeoL. Soc. MaLaY.1ia, BuLLetin 4()

 A PETROGRAPHIC STUDY ON SANDSTONES FROM THE MELUHU FORMATION, SOUTHEAST SULAWESI, EASTERN INDONESIA 221
probably originated from the same source rocks . (0.6%, Fig. 7) and slate (0.4%).
Based on the feldspar composition which is albite, Stretched metamorphic quartz fragments have
oligoclase and andesine this volcanic source rock is been recognised within a few samples. Individual
felsic and/or intermediate. The few weathered quartz crystals in the fragments have strongly
igneous fragments, comprising phenocrysts of albite undulose extinction with crenulated and/or
and quartz in a phaneric groundmass (see below), granulated borders. Stretched metamorphic
indicate that some feldspar probably originated from fragments indicate that the source region contained
granitic rocks. quartz-bearing rocks that were sheared or strained
without extensive recrystallization (Folk, 1980).
Rock Fragments The lateral distribution ofthe metamorphic rock
Metamorphic and sedimentary rock fragments fragments shows that their percentage decreases
were found in each thin section in various quantities, along the palaeocurrent direction, i.e. to the
whereas volcanic fragments exist in some samples northeast. This is probably because the
only. The average rock fragment content for metamorphic fragments became weathered and
framework grains in the Meluhu Formation reduced to single mineral grains during
sandstone is 16.5 %, which consists of 10.4% transportation.
sedimentary, 5.8% metamorphic and 0.3% volcanic A few samples contain a small number of
rock fragments . The lateral distribution of rock volcanic rock fragments . The volcanic fragments
fragments shows that the average content reduces are most commonly preserved in conglomerate and
towards the northeast along the palaeocurrent coarse-grained sandstone and vary in abundance
direction. This suggests that the southern part of from 0.1% to 7.4%. The fragments are sub angular-
the study area was relatively closer to the source of angular in shape and highly weathered in some
lithic detritus. places . They differ from the other fragments in the
The proportion of sedimentary and metamorphic samples which are commonly rounded to well
rock fragments are essentially complimentary. The rounded. Because of this, the volcanic fragments
sedimentary rock fragments are reduced when the were probably transported less distance from the
metamorphic rock fragments increase, and they source rocks than the other fragments. The lateral
increase when the metamorphic rock fragments distribution of volcanic fragments is irregular. A
decrease. thin sequence of volcanic rocks probably covered
Sedimentary rock fragments are the dominant the metamorphic rocks in the source area and/or
lithic component in sandstone in the Meluhu occurred as small dykes or sills in the metamorphic
Formation (7.0%). The fragments consist of siltstone terrane, as observed in the Ranteangin River
and claystone (5.3%), chert (1.0%) and sandstone (Surono, 1986).
(0.7%). Some chert shows included quartz veins Tuff fragments have been identified in some
indicating that the fragments were lithified before thin sections from surrounding Kendari. The
being reworked. It is difficult to distinguish between fragments consist of fine-grained tuff with scattered
sedimentary lithic fragments resulting from feldspar and quartz crystals. Low angle-albite
intraformational erosion and fragments of reworked twinning in the plagioclase and the existence of
sedimentary rocks . Lateral distribution of rock
fragments shows that the percentage of sedimentary
rock fragments increases towards the northeast.
Some fine-grained sedimentary rock fragments show
they were still semiplastic when deposited. This
evidence suggests that sedimentary rock fragments
derived from intraformational erosion are dominant
in the Meluhu Formation sandstone, especially in
the northeastern area where the depositional energy
level was lower. However, the well-rounded shape
of the remaining sedimentary fragments and their
relatively similar size to other fragments, suggests
that these fragments probably originated from an
older sedimentary terrane.
Metamorphic rock fragments are the second
most important lithic component in sandstone from
the Meluhu Formation (5 .8%). The fragments, Figure 7. Plagioclase (p), zoned inclusions in quartz (qi)
which are generally platy, are composed of and mica schist (ms) fragments in the Toronipa Member.
metaquartzite (4.8%), quartz-muscovite schist Sample was taken from the Andomowu River, Tinobu.

JuLy 1997
222 SURONO

quartz in these fragments suggest a dacitic Formation sandstone is silica, with some carbonate
composition. Some tuft'fragments have quartz veins in a few samples. The most common silica cement
indicating that lithification and· deformation took is chert. Quartz overgrowths occur in few samples.
place before the fragments were reworked. Quartz cement and fibrous chalcedony have been
Therefore, the tuff fragments are epiclastic or found most commonly in coarse-grained sandstone
redeposited volcanic rock fragments. and conglomerate. Secondary cements consist of
Some samples from the headwaters of the iron oxide and calcite.
northern part contain a few weathered igneous Secondary carbonate cement occurs in some
fragments comprising phenocrysts of albite and samples, consisting ·of micrite and spar calcite.
quartz in a phaneric groundmass. These igneous Calcite cement-filled fractures and pores in
fragments were probably derived from felsic and/or sandstone, which is otherwise cemented by silica,
intermediate intrusive rocks (especially granite) as indicates that the calcite cement post-dated
observed along the Ranteangin River by Surono compaction and fracturing. Samples which have
(1986). secondary carbonate cement were taken from areas
close to the covering limestone units of the
Heavy Minerals Tampakura Formation and Pohara Limestone.
Heavy mineral content within the Meluhu Thus, the carbonate-rich liquid probably originated
Formation is less than 1%. Dark brown tourmaline from the Tampakura Formation and Pohara
is the most common heavy mineral within the Limestone and moved down into the Meluhu
Toronipa Member. According to Blatt et al. (1980) Formation after deformation associated with the
and Pettijohn (1975), dark brown euhedral collision and ophiolite emplacement during the Late
tourmaline is probably derived from metamorphic Oligocene and Early Miocene.
rocks. Iron oxide cement was found in some sandstone
Zircon is characterised by a very high relief, the samples from the headwaters of Andomowu River.
presence of numerous inclusions and straight The average content is less than 8%. The cement
extinction. It is commonly rounded to well rounded had completely replaced some lithic fragments,
in shape, which is probably an indication that it matrix and previous cements in a few samples.
was reworked from earlier sequences. The Some quartz grains are "floating" in the ferruginous
occurrence of zircon in a meta siltstone lithic cement, but originally the fragments were grain
fragment within a sandstone sample taken from supported since a few concavo-convex and sutured
the Andomowu River strongly supports this contacts still remain. This evidence suggests that
interpretation. the iron oxide is a secondary cement replacing
previous cement, matrix and some fragments.
Mica Caries texture (Boggs, 1992) in some samples
The most common mica within the Meluhu strongly supports this interpretation. The volcanic
Formation sandstone is muscovite, whereas biotite rock fragment content in the headwaters of
is less abundant. Two types of muscovite were Andomowu River is higher than in other areas.
recognised in the sandstone. Primary muscovite Most of the remaining lithic fragments are very
occurs as individual flakes that commonly have altered. The source of iron-rich water which formed
been broken or bent due to compaction. Secondary the iron oxide cement was probably derived from
muscovite is well-developed along fractures and the volcanic rock fragments and/or iron-rich surface
cleavage planes. Secondary muscovite is also found water.
along cracks in feldspar and rock fragments.
Generally, biotite occurs as a fragmental CLUSTER ANALYSIS
mineral in the sandstone. This mineral is
subangular to subrounded and broken and/or bent Correlation coefficient and cluster analyses were
due to deformation. Biotite was found as individual undertaken on the petrological sandstone data from
flakes and as an accessory mineral in metamorphic the Meluhu Formation. Computations were carried
rock fragments. out using a program modified from Jones and Facer
(1981). The initial analyses used all 41 petrological
MATRIX AND CEMENT variables, but the number of variables was later
reduced by eliminating the least significant
All material finer than 35 microns in the variables. The most significant result is the model
sandstone is termed detrital matrix. Generally, that used 18 variables as shown in Figures 8-9.
the matrix content in the Meluhu Formation Five significant groups resulted from the cosine-
sandstone is less than 10%. theta similarity coefficients in the Q-mode analysis
The main primary cement in the Meluhu (Fig. 8). Group I is characterised by a high
GeoL. Soc. iJ1aLaYcfia, BuLLetin 40
 A PETROGRAPHIC STUDY ON SANDSTONES FROM THE MELUHU FORMATION, SOUTHEAST SULAWESI, EASTERN INDONESIA 223

-0.0227 0.1&42 0.3511 0.517' 0.7241 0.1117

-0.1161 0.0701 0.2576 0.4445 0.&314 0.1112 1.0051 Loca- Co~~.1atian
+----+---+- . I •I I - -t- -I _ . . . . . .1e tian CoefflcJ.esrt
150A 1.11 0.1477
102
402
107 I r'=
1.12
1.12
1.12
0.'564
0.'100
0.7164
101
161
I r- 1.11
1.12
•• '415
0.51'1
J I
117&
"I 1.10
1.GS
0.1"5 GIIOIIP I
0.4616
J 164
401
1.12
1.el
0.1016
0.2613

I I
261 .1.11
2&Sl 1.11
271 1.11
0.7'40
0.1112
0.0157
- --- - ------ ----
I.
- 12~J.~U.:!:.!746

1501 2.11 0.4761

____ _

1 I
44ZA 1.C4 0.1015
712C 2.L 0.4017

I I
741 1.EI 0.1164 GROUP II
5&611 1.15 0.5446
421A 1.C4 0.2141

I .~
I
103
74'
1.Cl 0.1716
1.L 0.55'1
5&602 1.IS 0.0'58

--
I ------------------ ----
I
I

1.11 0.7620
1171 1.10 0.7640
71ZA 2.L 0.6162
_!!f!.3~_L.!!. _0.:.~!lL-_----_
25'
I
I
2.L 0.6164 7121
1.11 0.54'2 GROUP III 771
1.D3 0.2'14 "31
-- -- ~-------------------------------
!.1!A--1d1!.:.!J».!2L---- ---
150C 1.Bl 0.1'72 -
I
2741 1.Bl 0.1104
1281 2.B2 0.1114
'17 1.D3 0.626'
I
I
I 1 322

348
36&
1.D' 0.8747
'33C 1.D' 0.7821
1.D' 0.4160
1.11 0.1665
801 1.11 0.7711
I 720 1.16 0.602'
I I 3'1A 1.B2 0.7862 GROUP IV
45' 1.1& 0.1282
I
387 1.B2 0.8%21
475B 1.EI 0.7567
442 ,.e4 0.6284
lOlA '.G5 0.2'&6
a05
1.Ci 0.8100
1.CI 0.7'06
'06
'28 1.U 0.6158
I I ,lA
a04
1.16 0.136'
1.AI 0.'436

-- 1-----------
I 7IB 1.EI 0.8210
5&621 1.15 0.5102
---1-41._ J.&.L-~t'_-----
-----------------~ .7 2&8 1.11 0.'5&0
1.EI 0.'174
I
1," 0.1517 ,eA
7SA 1.1& 0.1155
I
1.0 l,Dl 0.74'0
1,lA 1,12 0.tl36

. I
.SA
80&
,2&
72&
1.10 0.'331
1.Ci 0.to12
1.B6 0.8630
3,1& 0.7267
F
280 I,ll 0."23
I 3t6A 1,12 0.6776
1111 1,13 0.2431
I I
400 1,.2 0.7'23
tOt 3,el 0.07" GIODP V
460A 3,. 0.4404
1..
I I
I
4611
417
0.1438
3.10 0.7lS1
166" 1,15 0.34"
I I
46IA 1,16 0.7162
'18 1,16 -0.1161
• I I I I I I
-0.1111 0.0701 0.257' 0..... 0.1314 0_1112 1.0051
-0.0227 0.1142 0.1511 0.537' 0.7241 0.'117

Figure 8. Q-mode dendrogram ofpetrographic data from the MeluhuFormation. For location see Figure
7, (1) Toronipa Member, (2) Watutaluboto Member and (3) Tuetue Member.

July 1997
224 SURONO

percentage of metamorphic and volcanic rock a high content of the metamorphic rock fragments.
fragments with averages of 16.8% and 1.3% Group II and Group IV are from parts of the
respectively. All of these samples came from the Toronipa, Watutaluboto and Tuetue Members that,
Toronipa Member sandstone in the northwestern stratigraphically, come from the middle of the
area. Most of samples in Group II are from the formation. Group II and Group IV are characterised
Toronipa, Watutaluboto and Tuetue Members on by high content of sedimentary rock fragments,
the Laonti Peninsula. Group II is characterised by feldspar and polycrystalline quartz. Group V
a high polycrystalline quartz content (26.8%). No represents at the upper part of the formation that
significant area or member can be described for the is dominated by monocrystalline quartz. These
samples in Group III. However, monocrystalline significant features confirm that the quantity of
quartz and feldspar are relatively high in Group rock fragments and unstable minerals (e.g. feldspar)
III. Group IV samples contain high percentages of decrease upwards. This was probably caused by a
feldspar (2.3%) and sedimentary rock fragments reduction in transportation energy due to a
(14%) and represent 58% of the Toronipa and 38% reduction in relative source area elevation and to
of the Tuetue Members in the southeastern area. the transgressive process during the deposition of
The last group (Group V) has a high percentage of the Meluhu Formation. Samples located in Group
monocrystalline quartz (79%) but a low percentage IV and Group V are from the northwestern and
of polycrystalline quartz (8.8%) and represents the southeastern regions respectively. In general,
Tuetue Member (61%). The Group V samples are similarity of petrographic data clusters is influenced
also from southeastern area. by both the stratigraphic position and the
Because of its stratigraphic position, Group I, geographic location of the sample. This means that
which represents the oldest member of the Meluhu the sandstone composition varies in both vertical
Formation (Toronipa Member), is characterised by and horizontal directions.

-0.0348 0.1185 0.2715 0.4248 0.5777 0.7308

-G.lttt 0.04t9 0.1950 0.3481 0.S012 0.6542 0.8073
I
SHAPE -G.0416
0.7487
r SIZE
IYRF 0.6t54
GROUP I I _ 0.1233
J
-- - - -------- -------- -- _IWIN __~!!qL
IPOI.Q 0.4792
GROUP II I ITORII O. 1983
I ____ ~qr7!_

.- --------------------- --- IIIIIIQ 0.2546

I IOGIIT 0.0426
GROUP III IIIISC 0.6516
I r I8IOT 0.7733
SOREll -0.0157
-f--
-----------------------r 1FELf-o.f6i-
IK-F 0.5865
GROUP IV
I IPLAG O. t021
I- iliAC 0.4307
I IlOXD -G. 11 11
I I I I I
-G.ll11 0.04t9 0.1950 0.3481 0.S012 0.6542 0.8073
-0.0348 0.1185 0.2715 0.4248 0.5777 0.7308
Dendrogram - values along x-axis are similarities

Figure 9. R-mode cluster diagram of fragment composition within the Meluhu Formation (VRF)
volcanic rock fragments, (MRF) metamorphic rock fragments, (GARN) garnet, (POLQ) polycrystalline
quartz, (TORM) tourmaline, (SRF) sedimentary rock fragments, (MONQ) monocrystalline quartz,
(OGMT) organic matter, (MUSC) muscovite, (BlOT) biotite, (OREM) ore mineral, (FELD) feldspar,
(K-F) K-feldspar, (PLAG) plagioclase, (ZmC) zircon, and (IOXD) iron oxide.

Geol. Soc. lJIalaYJia, Bulletin 40

 A PETROGRAPHIC STUDY ON SANDSTONES FROM THE MELUHU FORMATION, SOUTHEAST SULAWESI, EASTERN INDONESIA 225
The R-mode cluster analysis diagram using 18 consist of polycrystalline quartz and tourmaline,
variables can be divided into four groups (Fig. 9). were taken from the southern area which is close to
In Group I, average of grain size, and volcanic and the metamorphic source rocks. This suggests that
metamorphic rock fragments are closely linked the polycrystalline quartz and tourmaline were
together. Petrographic results show that both the probably derived from the same metamorphic rocks.
volcanic and metamorphic rock fragments increase Muscovite and biotite are also closely correlated
in abundance in the coarser sandstone samples, with ore minerals in Group III. With the exception
especially in the northwestern area. This is caused of the ore minerals, the muscovite and biotite are
by the effect of transportation whereby the rock likely to have a similar source. K-feldspar and
fragments were broken down (dis aggregated) during plagioclase are strongly correlated with total
transportation. In Group II, polycrystalline quartz feldspar, as expected, forming a subgroup in Group
is positively correlated with tourmaline and IV. These minerals may be derived from the same
sedimentary rock fragments. With the exception of source or simply reflect proximity to a granitic and
the sedimentary rock fragments, samples, which volcanic source, respectively. Zircon and iron oxide
are linked in another subgroup. The zircon and
iron oxide only occur in southwestern and
Watutaluboto areas and probably indicate the
effects of intense weathering.
Qt PROVENANCE
A Provenance studies using sedimentary petrology
aim to identify the nature, composition, identity
and dimension of the source rocks, the relief and
climate in the source areas, and the effect of
transportation (Basu, 1985). Knowing the
composition of a sandstone is a major guide for its
provenance interpretation. Sandstone composition
is controlled by climate, relief of source area,
transport and depositional processes and process
after deposition (Zuffa, 1985). In this provenance
study all modal composition data were recalculated
as volumetric proportions of fragments (Dickinson
F~ __~______- ,__________~L and Suczek, 1979).
Using the triangular FQtL diagram (introduced
Qm by Dickinson and Suczek, 1979, modified by
Dickinson et al. 1983a) suggests that the Meluhu
Formation sandstone was derived from a recycled
orogen (Fig. lOA). Variation within the recycled
orogen provenance is not clearly pointed out by the
FQtL diagram, because many lithic chert fragments
plot together with quartz at the same pole
(Dickinson et al., 1983). However, in general, most
foreland-uplift provenances fall close to the Qt pole
whereas subduction complex provenances are
clustered near the L pole (Dickinson and Suczek,
1979). The mean of the Meluhu Formation
sandstone is much closer to the Qt pole rather than
the L pole.
Plotting the framework grain composition of
the Meluhu Formation sandstone on the FQmLt
ternary diagram of Dickinson and Suczek (1979,
Figure 10. Plotting fragment composition of the Meluhu modified by Dickinson et al., 1983) also culminated
Formation on triangular diagrams oIDickinson and Suczek
(1979 modified by Dickinson et al., 1983); F (feldspar), L
in a recycled orogen source (Fig. lOB). The samples
(lithic), Lt (total lithic including polycrystalline quartz), mainly plotted around the quartzose recycled point
Qm (mono crystalline quartz) and Qt (total quartz). Plotting of the FQmLt diagram. A few samples plotted
data from the Meluhu Formation sandstone shows the within the craton interior-continental block
sandstone was derived from a recycle orogen. provenance on both the FQtL and FQmLt diagrams.
JuLy 1997
226 SURONO

However, the mean of the sandstone composition intruded by aplitic rocks as reported by Surono
from the Meluhu Formation plotted within the field (1986) along the eastern coast of the Bone Gulf.
of a quartzose recycled provenance. In a recycled orogen, the relative proportion of
Using the LvLmLs ternary diagram of Graham stable quartz fragments and unstable lithic
et al. (1976, modified by Ingersoll and Suczek, 1979) fragments is highly variable (Sutner et al., 1981).
the mean of the Meluhu Formation sandstone falls Modern sands which have originated from such
in the area of suture belts and rifted continental regions have Qt/L ratios between about 3:1 in humid
margins. The mean of the Meluhu Formation areas and about 1:3 in semi-arid areas. The
sandstone is closest to the mean of the rifted average QtlL ratio within the Meluhu Formation
continental margins. Thus, a rifted continental is 6:1.
margin source may represent an alternative
provenance for the sandstone in addition to the X-RAY DIFFRACTION (XRD)
recycle orogen source.
Using the LvQpLs diagram of Dickinson et al. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses were carried
(1983), the sandstone in the Meluhu Formation out using a Phillips PW 1130/90 generator, copper
was derived from collision suture or fold-thrust radiation, a graphite monochromator and a scan
belt sources (Fig. 11). The PQmK diagram of speed of 1/2° 20/min. Analysed samples from the
Dickinson et al. (1983), on the other hand, shows Meluhu Formation consist of 40 samples from the
the sandstone to have been derived from a Toronipa Member, 3 from the Watutaluboto Member
continental block provenance. Because of the low and 7 from the Tuetue Member. The samples are
content of feldspar and volcanic rock fragments mudstone, shale and fine-grained sandstone. All of
within the sandstone, they plot near the Qt-L, Qm- the samples were prepared as clay mounts on
Lt and Qp-Ls lines. The figures suggest that these ceramic discs and were analysed in an untreated
sandstone samples were derived from a fold-thrust state. Twenty seven of them were analysed after
system of indurated sedimentary and low-grade saturation with ethylene glycol and rerun after
metamorphic rocks. being heated for one hour at 550°C. The analytical
The features above suggest that the most results are tabulated in Table 2.
probable source for sandstone within the Meluhu Illite, muscovite and kaolinite are the most
Formation was a recycled orogen. The low-grade common clay minerals within the Meluhu Formation
sequence of metasediments at southwest margin of (Fig. 12). fllite has been found in all of the examined
the basin was the most likely provenance area for samples. Muscovite and sericite are the most
the formation. The metamorphic terrain was common minerals in the fine-grained sandstone.

Lm

MIXED MAGMATIC ARCS AND

rr-~-"7SUBDUCTJON (COMPLEXES
COMPLEXES AND TRENCH-
SLOPE BASI~)
MEAN
RIFTED CONTINENTAL
MARGINS (EUGEOCUNES
AND ABYSSAL PLAINS)

Lv
MIXED MAne ARCS AND RIFTED
CONTINENTAL MARGINS (BACK-ARC BASINS)

Figure 11. Sandstone fragment composition ofthe MeluhuFormation plotted on LvLmLs

diagram of Ingersol and Suczek (1979). (Lv) volcanic lithic fragment, (Lm) metamorphic
lithic fragment and (Ls) sedimentary lithic fragment.

Geol. Soc. MalaYdia, Bulletin 40

 A PETROGRAPHIC STUDY ON SANDSTONES FROM THE MELUHU FORMATION, SOUTHEAST SULAWESI, EASTERN INDONESIA 227

~
6.8
8.8 --..::::=
-:==-,.....Illite & Muscovite

~
19.9

r
12.8 Kaolinite
14.9
16.9
' - - - Muscovite
18.8
28.8
~ Illite & Muscovite
Quartz
22.8
24.8
Kaolinite & Illite
26.9 Quartz & Muscovite

2B.i ~:::;:===---- Muscovite

39.8
32.9
34.8 --':::::====_Jllite & Muscovite
36.8 .:::::===.------Quartz
38.8
48.9
~
.......
Quartz
Quartz
42.8
44.8
46.8 Illite & Muscovite

48.8
58.8
52.'
54.8
56.8
58.8
68.8 :=::======_------Quartz & Illite
Kaolinite
62.8
64.1 Quartz

66.8
68.8
78.8~~---------------------------------------------------
Figure 12. XRD trace of the Toronipa Member sandstone, sample from Kendari city.

July 1997
 I\)
I\)
00
Table 2. X-Ray analyses ofthe fine-grained sediments from the Meluhu Formation.
SAMPLE RIA 98 98B 99C 12IA 147A 186B 186 196A 239 268 274 274.1 277A 280 301 301A 30S 322 333B 358 390A 391A 396A 398A
SUBUNIT Tr.M. Tr.M. Tr.M. Tr.M. Tr.M. Tr.M. Tr.M. Tr.M. Tr.M. Tr.M. Tr.M. Tr.M. Tr.M. Tr.M. Tr.M. Tr.M. Tr.M. Tr.M. Tr.M. Tr.M. Tr.M. Tr.M. Tr.M. Tr.M. Tr.M.
QUARTZ A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A
SEPIOLITE R R R R R R R R R R
KAOLINITE M M R M M R(H) M(H) M R R(H) R R R M R R(H) R R R R
CHLORITE R(V) R
ILLITE R M R R M R M R A M M A R M R
MONTMORIL. R R M R R
SERICITE R R R R R
CALCITE R R R R R
MUSCOVITE M M M M R M R R R M R M R R
BIOTITE R R R R R
PHLOGOPITE R R R R
ALBITE R R R R R R M
SANIDINE R R R
ORTHOCLASE R R R R R R R R
MICROCLINE
(J)
SAMPLE 400 407 411 413 472 474 475A 480 !06 523 724B 724C 724D 724G 724L 7250 48C 72E I11B 417 454A 460 461 748C ?RIA c
SUBUNIT Tr.M. Tr.M. Tr.M. Tr.M. Tr.M. Tr.M. Tr.M. Tr.M. Tr.M. Tr.M. Tr.M. Tr.M. Tr.M. Tr.M. Tr.M. Tr.M. Wt.M Wt.M Wt.M Tt.M. Tt.M. Tt.M. Tt.M. Tt.M. Tt.M. ~
o
QUARTZ A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A
SEPIOLITE R R R R R R
KAOLINITE R M M M M R R M M M M M M R M R R R I R(H) M M M
CHLORITE R R
ILLITE R M M M A M M R R A R R M M A R
MONTMORIL R M R M M R M R R R R R R R R R M R M M R
SERICITE R R R R
CALCITE A R A A A R A A R
MUSCOVITE R M M M M M M R M R M M R M M M M
~
<::>
BIOTITE R R R R
l'- PHLOGOPITE R R R R R
~ ALBITE R R R M M M R
;> SANIDINE
~ ORTHOCLASE
MICROCLINE
R R R R R R R
R R
f
~.
Tr.M.=TORONIPA MEMBER
EXPLANATION: A=ABUNDANT H=HALLOYSITE Tt.M.=TUETUE MEMBER
t:Xl M=MODERATE V=VERMICULITE Wt.M.=WAIDrALUBOTO
!::
.......
R=RARE MEMBER
...,.
"""
S· -- --- -

~
 A PETROGRAPHIC STUDY ON SANDSTONES FROM THE MELUHU FORMATION, SOUTHEAST SULAWESI, EASTERN INDONESIA 229
Illite and Muscovite dominant in tropical rivers. The formation of
Distinction between illite, sericite and muscovite kaolinite in temperate regions is highly controlled
using XRD techniques is difficult because their by rainfall and relief. In a humid-tropical climate
peaks are close each other. In the Meluhu kaolinite tends to develop in the lowlands and
Formation both minerals can be found. gibbsite in the highlands. In high rainfall areas
The most common clay mineral in the Meluhu (e.g. Japan and northern United States) kaolinite
Formation is illite. The major factors which and halloysite are the dominant clay minerals
influenced the clay suite transported by a river are (Weaver, 1989). The formation of kaolinite in humid
relief, elevation, source rocks , river length and flood and subtropical regions is similar to the conditions
periodicity (Weaver, 1989). Konta (1985) studied during the deposition of the Meluhu Formation
suspended minerals from 13 big rivers in the world. which occurred in meandering river to coastal
In his conclusion most rivers contain illite-mica environments in a subtropical region at a latitude
with minor chlorite and kaolinite. Kaolinite is only of about 20 0 S, and probably in wet conditions since
dominant in tropical rivers. the coal macerals are dominated by vitrinite
The degree of metamorphism can be related to (Surono, 1994b).
the sharpness and width of the lOA illite peak as
studied by Weaver (1960). He measured the peak DIAGENESIS
character of illite which he called the sharpness
ratio (SR) or the Weaver index (WI). The average A diagenetic study of the Meluhu Formation
WI of the Meluhu Formation is 2.61 indicating that was carried out by using conventional petrography
the formation shows incipient to weak of thin sections and XRD techniques. Some
metamorphism or anchizone metamorphism. significant diagenetic features were determined in
However, the explanation of Weaver (1989 ) this study, including compaction, cementation and
suggested clearly that the anchizone occurs within dissolution.
the WI range of -2.3 to -10 . Thus, the Meluhu
Formation lies only just above the diagenetic stage. Compaction
Kubler (1968) also used the illite peak for Compaction effects in the Meluhu Formation
measuring the degree of metamorphism or sandstone are recorded by mica flakes and grain
crystallinity. He measured the peak-width at half- contacts. Mica flakes are bent and some of them
height (in mm) giving what he called the are broken. The high amount of bending and
crystallinity index (CI) or Kubler index (KI). Later, breaking of mica flakes in the sandstone indicates
Weaver (1989) agreed that using the KI is a more that the Meluhu Formation is highly compacted.
precise and easier measure than the WI. By using Fractured plagioclase fragments also occur in many
a scan speed of 2°/min and a chart speed of 1,600 thin sections. Some of the fractures were filled by
mm/hr, as suggested by Weaver (1989), the average secondary calcite cement. Ductile lithic fragments
KI of the Meluhu Formation illite is 5.16 or in the can be also observed in some samples, especially
diagenetic stage. from the northeastern area. Some quartz fragments
The average degree 29 crystallinity of the are strained and fractured suggesting deep burial,
Meluhu Formation samples of 0.55 also shows that but they could also have been reworked from older
the formation is still in the zone of diagenesis. This rock units. Three types of fragment contacts
result is strongly supported by the vitrinite (classification of Taylor, 1950) found in most ofthe
reflectance rank of 0.48 Rvmax to 0.82 Rvmax samples are long, concavo-convex and sutured.
(Surono, 1994b). Concavo-convex and sutured contacts are abundant
in all samples. Increasing burial depth tends to
Kaolinite increase long and concavo-convex contacts and tends
Kaolinite is the second most common clay to reduce floating and tangential contacts (Taylor,
mineral within the Meluhu Formation. Kaolinite 1950). Sutured contacts will appear at greater
and chlorite both have 7A reflections in untreated burial depth as a result of pressure solution (B oggs,
samples. Mter heating, the kaolinite 7A reflection 1992).
. ~llears whereas chlorite) which is less affected Cementation
by 11e21ting, still retains some 7Areflection and has
an enh anced 14A reflection (Lindholm, 1987). There are three kind of cements in the Meluhu
Kaolinite is commonly well developed in a Formation: silica, carbonate and iron oxide cements.
humid-tropical climate, particularly in the warm Silica cement is a primary cement, whereas
temperate or subtropical regions (Weaver,. 1~89? carbonate and iron oxide are generally secondary
~ r 1\1 ut.a (1985) included that kaohmte IS cements.

July 199 7
230 SURONO

Primary calcite cement occurs in a few samples ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

from the Laonti Peninsula. Secondary calcite
cement, which is the most common carbonate Thank and high appreciation go to Dr. 1. Bahar,
cement, is also mainly confined to the Laonti the Director of Geological Research and
Peninsula and has filled fractures and replaced Development Centre and Ms Purnamaningsih, for
previous cements. Calcite has also replaced some their permission to publish this paper. The author
rock fragments, plagioclase and quartz grains along thanks Prof. B.G. Jones and Dr. U. Sukanta for
their fractures. Phantom textures of void-filling their suggestions and reviewing the manuscript.
were determined in one sample from the Laonti
Peninsula. REFERENCES
Caries texture, with remaining sutured grain
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that secondary iron oxide cementation took place Zuffa, G.G. (Ed.), Provenance of Arenite. D. Reidel
after compaction. Iron-rich liquid was probably Publishing Company, Holland, 231-247.
derived from volcanic rocks and/or from local surface BLATI, H ., MfDDLETON, G. AND MURRAY, R , 1980. Origin of
Sedimentary Rocks. Prentice-Hall Inc., New Jersey, 782p.
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BOGGS, S., 1992. Petrology of Sedimentanj Rocks. Macmillan
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The combined effects of compaction, AND RYBERG, P.T., 1983. Provenance of North American
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Formation sandstone have resulted in a very tight, Geol. Soc. Amer. Bull. 94, 222-235.
interlocking mosaic which is grain-supported and DICKINSON, W.R AND SUCZEK, CA., 1979. Plate tectonics and
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CONCLUSIONS GRAHAM, S.A., INGERSOLL, RV . AND DICKINSON, W.R, 1976.
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INGESOLL, RV. AND SUCZEK, CA., 1979. Petrology and
formation suggests that the volcanic rocks formed
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58, 569-592, Hamburg.
Meluhu Formation sandstone is 11.3% and the
KUBLER, B., 1968. Evaluation quantiative du metamorphisme
maximum content of 32.4% is in a sample from the par la cristallinite de !'illite. Bull. Centre Res. Pau-SNP A
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oligoclase fragments in some samples indicates that LINDHOLM, RC, 1987. A Practical Approach to Sedimentology.
the relief of the source area was probably rugged. Allen and Unwin, Winchester, 276p.
Thick cyclic channel deposits, which coarsen PETIljOHN, F.J., 1975. Sedimentary Rocks, 3rd editiQR, K<uyet
upward, are present in the headwaters of the and Row, New York, 62%p.
Andomowu River, south of Tinobu. Grain size at SCHOLLE, P.A., 1978 . A Colour Illustrated G uide to
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to 35 cm. This sequence was deposited close to the Sandstones and Associated Rocks. Bull. Amer. Assoc.
source area and was influenced by reactive vertical Petrol. Geo/. , Memoir 27, 201 p.
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'
pro ba bly had a high relief and likely had high rainfall. SURONO, ?994a. Stratigraphy of the Soutl1east 5uia. '
contmental terrane, Eastern Indonesia J G''''l M~esl
• • ~U . mer.

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•• GIlD II.

Manuscript recetoed 17 October 1996