Geo-Sciences

THE PROVENANCE AND DIAGENESIS OF SANDSTONES OF THE EOCENE TANJUNG

FORMATION IN THE KUALAKURUN AREA, CENTRAL KALIMANTAN

R. Heryanto and U. Margono

Geological Survey Institute
Jl. Diponegoro No. 57 Bandung 40122

ABSTRACTS

Kualakurun area is located in the western margin of Tertiary Barito Basin. The basin was filled by the Eocene Tanjung
Formation consisting of conglomerate and sandstone in the lower part, mudstone with intercalated by coal seams in the
middle part, and sandstones in the upper part. The sandstones consist of subarkose, sublitharenite, and felspathic
litharenite. The framework grains dominantly consist of quartz with some lithic and feldspar fragments. The accessory
minerals are muscovite and opaque minerals.
The provenance of sandstone fragments of the Tanjung Formation were derived from Continental Block (Craton Interior)
and Recycled Orogen (Quartzose Recycled), which most probably were derived from the pre-Tertiary rocks of the Schwaner
Mountains (Cretaceous granites and tonalites intruding Silurian-Permian metamorphic rocks) in the west of the
Kualakurun area. Diagenetic processes identified in the sandstones are compaction, mineral authigenic and secondary
porosity formations. The diagenesis regime is categorized as “mesogenesis mature A”, that is equal to mudrock stage II,
having a paleo-temperature of 80° up to 95° C, and the burial depth ranging from 2 to 3 kilometers.
Keyword: provenance, sandstone, diagenesis, Tanjung Formation, Kualakurun
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SARI
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Daerah Kualakurun terletak di tepi barat Cekungan Tersier Barito. Cekungan ini terisi oleh Formasi Tanjung berumur
Eosen dan tersusun oleh konglomerat dan batupasir di bagian bawah, batulumpur dengan sisipan batubara di bagian
tengah, dan batu pasir di bagian atas. Batupasir ini terdiri atas subarkose, sublitarenite, dan felspar litarenit.
Kerangka butiran dikuasai oleh butiran kuarsa dengan sedikit fragmen batuan dan felspar. Mineral tambahan adalah
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muskovit dan mineral opak.

Provenan klastika batupasir Formasi Tanjung berasal dari Blok Benua (Craton Interior) dan Orogenesis terdaur ulang
(Kuarsa terdaur ulang), yang sangat mungkin berasal dari batuan Pratersier Pegunungan Schwaner (batuan granit dan
tonalit yang menerobos batuan malihan berumur Silurian-Permian) di sebelah barat daerah Kualakurun. Proses
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diagenesis yang teramati dalam batupasir adalah kompaksi, pembentukan mineral autigenik, dan pembentukan
porositas sekunder. Tingkat digenesisnya termasuk kategori ”mesogenesis matang A”, yang ekuivalen dengan mudrock
tingkat II dengan paleo-temperatur berkisar antara 80° sampai dengan 95° C, dengan kedalaman timbunan antara 2
sampai 3 kilometer.
Kata kunci: Provenan, batupasir, diagenesis, Formasi Tanjung, Kualakurun

INTRODUCTION metamorphic rocks. The Meratus High is formed by

pre-Tertiary ophiolite, metamorphic, granitic, and
Kualakurun is the capital city of the Gunung Mas
sedimentary rocks (Supriatna et al., 1994).
Regency, Central Kalimantan. The area is located in
the western part of the Barito Basin (Figure 1). The fieldwork was done in 2006, as a part of the
Physiographically, the Barito Basin is bounded by research in sedimentological and tectonic processes
Schwaner High in the west and the Meratus High in of the Barito Basin, one of the research programme of
the east. To the north the basin extends to the West the Geological Survey Institute. Petrography and
Kutai Basin, and to the south it is bounded by the Scanning Electron Microscope were used in order to
Java Sea. The development of the basin is elongated reconstruct orginal sandstone composition and to
north - south direction parallel with the Barito River. identify the diagenetic process. The methods of data
The Schwaner High is occupied by the Cretaceous analyses followed those outlined by Dickinson and
granites and tonalities intruding Palaeozoic Suczek (1979), Ingersol and Suczek (1979), and

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 Geo-Sciences
Dickinson et al. (1983). The diagenetic stage fine-grained sandstone beds, with 30 to 150 cm
methods, however, followed those outlined by thick. A sequence of well bedded fine-medium
Schmidt and McDonald (1979), and also Burley et grained sandstone with some interbedded brownish
al. (1987). mudstones (50-150 cm thick) is found in the upper
part of the formation (Figure 3).
GEOLOGICAL SETTING The Tanjung Formation is overlain by the Oligocene
Geological map and the stratigraphic column of the volcanic of the Malasan Formation. In the other part
Kualakurun area are presented in the Figure 2. The of the researched area, the Tanjung Formation is also
oldest rock in the area is Paleozoic metamorphic rock covered by the Oligocene-Miocene Montalat
which is cropped out in the western part (Schwaner Formation, which consist of mudstone with some
Mountain). The metamorphic rock was intruded by intercalation of sandstone beds and limestone lenses.
Cretaceous granitic and tonalitic rocks. The oldest In the eastern part of the Barito Basin, the formation
sedimentary rock unit is the Eocene Tanjung can be correlated with limestone dominated unit of
Formation. The Tanjung Formation in Kualakurun the Berai Formation. The Miocene Warukin
area comprises well bedded conglomerate and coarse Formation comprises intercalation of sandstone,
grained quartz sandstone, with bedding thickness
mudstone and some coal seams. The Plio-
ranging from 50 to 200 cm (Photo 1) in the lower
Pleistocene Dahor Formation is unconformable above
part. In the middle part, the formation consists of a
these formations.
mudstone with intercalations of coal seams and some
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GEOLOGICAL MAP OF BORNEO

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(Hall & Nichols, 2002)

S
M

Research Area

Figure 1. The geological map of Borneo (Hall & Nichols, 2002) and the location of the research area. The arrow indicates that the Schwaner Mountains
acted as a provenance of the Tanjung Formation sandstones.

292 JSDG Vol. 18 No. 5 Oktober 2008

 113o 30’ 113o 40’ 113o 50’ 114o 00’ 114o 10’

0o 50’ Tomm
0o 50’
Tomm

Pts

Pts Tomm Tet

Tet

Pts Tomm
Pts
Tomm Tomm
PTs
PTs
An
Tet
Tet
An
Pts An
Tomm
Pts An Tet
Tomm
Tomm Pts
Tet
Tet Pts
o Tomm
1 00’ Tet 1o 00’
Pts
Tmw Tomm
ED-40 Tet
Pts
J
ED-39 An
UM-06 Tom
UM-09 Tmw
Tom
ED-36s/d38
Gr Tmw An
Tet
St-25/gr
Gr An
Gr Tomm KUALAKURUN
G
Toml Tomm
Pts
Tet Tmw
Tet
ED-35
Tmw

ED-26

ERA PERIOD EPOCH Sedimentary-VolcanicED-14

Rocks
Continental Rocks Qa
ED-11
ED-12
S
UM-20 Qtd
Tmw

St-29/gr Holocene Alluvial

Qa
o Qa
1 10’ Pleisto 1o 10’
cene

QUATERNARY
Qa

JSDG Vol. 18 No. 5 Oktober 2008

Dahor Fm.
Qtd Qtd
Pliocene
M
Warukin Fm.
Miocene Tmw

CENOZOIC
Montalat Fm.
Oligocene Tomm
Tomm MalasanFm. Tan
Toml Tom Qa

TERTIARY
Tmw
GEOLOGICAL MAP
St-31/gr Tanjung Fm.
Eocene Tet OF THE KUALAKURUN AREA
Palaeocene
(Modified from Sumartadipura & Margono, 1996)
Qtd

Klg N
Qa

TRIASSIC JURASSIC CRETACEOUS

0 10 km
o o
1o 20’ 113 30’ 113 40’ Pm 1o 20’
Qa Qtd

PALEOZOIC M E SO Z O I C
113o 50’ 114o 00’ 114o 10’
Geo-Sciences

Figure 2. Geological Map of the Kualakurun Area (modified from Sumartadipura & Margono, 1996)

293
 Geo-Sciences
of the quartz grains show as straight extinction and
some of them show as undulose extinction.
600 m Well bedded med-coarse grained sandstone with some
Composite quartz grains present as an irregular
interbedded grey to brown mudstone (50-150 cm). contact of unfoliated crystal and some foliated
crystals. Feldspar grains consist of K feldspar (3.0-
9.67%) and plagioclase (0-1.33%). Rock fragments
within the Tanjung Formation sandstones are
sedimentary rocks (1.33-12%), metamorphic rocks
(0.33-3.67), and volcanic rocks (0-2%).
According to the QFR (Q: quartz; F: feldspar; R: rock
Grey mudstone, with some interbedded, coaly shale,
coal seams (30-150cm), and fine grained sandstone fragments) sandstone classification diagram of Folk
(1980; Figure 4), the Tanjung Formation sandstones
400 m in the Kualakurun area is composed of eight samples
of subarkose (76.6-94.3% Q, 3.7-15.2% F, 2-9.8%
R), as shown in Photo 2, followed by five samples of
feldspathic litharenite (53.2-74.1% Q, 8.5-14.2% F,
14-32.6% R), and the last two samples of
sublitharenite (80.6-87.1% Q, 5.3-9.2% F, 7.6-
10.2% R).
The presence of abundant quartz grains with straight
extinction indicates that granitic rockcs was
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influenced in the source area (Photo 3). Quartz grains

200 m
with undulose extinction and/or inclusions are
indicated to derive from metamorphic source area.
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Semicomposite and composite quartz grains are

probably the first cycle derived from a gneissic or
Well bedded med-conglomeratic coarse grained
sandstone with some interbedded brown to redish
granitic terrain, whereas the composite quartz with
mudstone (50-200 cm). foliated structure indicates that these grains were
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derived from a metamorphic source area (Photo 4).

Fragments K-feldspar and plagioclase indicate that
igneous rock was present in the source area. The
sedimentary and metamorphic fragments indicate
M

0m
that metasediment and metamorphic were exist in
the source area (Photos 3 & 4).
Figure 3. General stratigraphic column of the Tanjung Formation in the
Kualakurun Area. Based on the QFL (Q: total quartzose grains =
monocrystalline quartz/Qm + polycrystalline
PROVENANCE quartz/Qp; F : Feldspar; L: total unstable lithic
fragments = volcanic and metavolcanic fragments/Lv
Petrographic analysis data of the Tanjung Formation
+ sedimentary and metasedimentary fragments/Ls)
sandstones are tabulated in Table 1. These data show
and QmFLt (Qm: monocrystalline quartz; F: Feldspar;
that the majority of Tanjung Formation sandstones
Lt: Total lithic fragment = L + Qp) diagrams of
are white to grey in colour, composed of 75 to 99 %
Dickinson et al. (1983), the Tanjung Formation
framework grains. Grain size of the sandstone ranges
sandstone was derived from recycled (quartzose
from 0.3 to 1.9 mm, ranging from subangular to
recycled) orogenic and craton interior provenances
subrounded and are generally moderately sorted.
(Figure 4). The area occupied by granitic, tonalith
Framework grains consist of 20.3-80.3% quartz, 3-
and metamorphic rocks is the Schwaner High located
13% composite quartz, 3-9.7% feldspar and 1.6-
in the west of Kualakurun area. Therefore, the
14.0% lithic fragments. Accessory minerals are
suitable area for the provenance of the Tanjung
muscouvite (0-2.67%), and laumontite (0-1.3%),
Formation sandstone in the Kualakurun area is the
and opaque mineral (0-2.3%). The sandstone matrix
Schwaner High in the west of the researched area
is composed of clay mineral and silica. Spary calcite
(Figure 1).
is also present as cement within some samples. Most

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200 mm

Q D
Qo

Qo
Q Q

Qo
Qo
Q
Q

Photo 1. Outcrop of thelower part of the Tanjung Formation in the east Photo 3. A microphotograph of the sandstone which shows a
of Kualakurun Village, consisting of well bedded med- sedimetary rock fragment (D) and several quartz grains
conglomeratic coarse- grained sandstone with some (Q),which have already overgrowth (Qo) Sample No.
interbedded brown to redish mudstone (50-200 cm). 06ED04B (X nicol).

200 mm 200 mm

Q Q
Q
Q

Q V Q M
J

I
Q
Q
M
Q
Q Q
G

F
Q

Photo 2. Microphotograph of the sandstone which shows a typical of Photo 4. Thin section microphotograph of the sandstone which shows
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the Tanjung Formation sandstone (subarkose), dominanted by a metamorphic (M) and igneous rock fragments (I). Sample
quartz (Q) with some feldspar (F) and volcanic fragments (V), No. 06ED25 (X nicol).
and also mica (M). Sample No, 06UM03C (X nicol).
M

Tabel 1. Petrographic Description of the Tanjung Sandstone Samples from the Kualakurun Area

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 Geo-Sciences
Q Q

C R ER
IN
Qm

AT IOR
T
PROVENANCE CATAGORIES

ON
1

CRATON INTERIOR CONTINENTAL BLOCK

QU
AR
RE
2 3 MAGMATIC ARC

T C
CY
ZO ED
L
SE
TRANSITIONAL RECYCLED OROGEN
CONTINENTAL TRANSITIONAL
CONTINENTAL
RECYCLED

TR ECY
OROGENIC

N
AS C
R
MIXED
50 50

ITI LE
ON
D
AL
BASEMENT DISSECTED
DISSECTED BASEMENT
UPLIFT ARC
ARC UPLIFT
4 5 6 7

RE
LIT CLE
CY
TRANSITIONAL

HIC D
TRANSITIONAL ARC
ARC UNDISSECTED
UNDISSECTED
ARC
ARC

F 50 R F L F Lt

Sandstone classification Figure 4. Sandstone classification diagram of Folk (1980) and provenance diagram
1 = Quartz arenite
2 = Subarkose
(Dickinson et al., 1983) of the the Tanjung Formation sandstones.
3 = Sublitharenite
4 = Arkose
5 = Litharkose
6 = Feldspathic litharenite
7 = Litharenite replacement mineral within some detrital plagioclase
TANJUNG FORMATION grains.
The secondary porosity is created by dissolution of
feldspar (Photo 8) and volcanic fragments (Photo 2).
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The secondary porosity in the sandstone consists of

DIAGENESIS
partial dissolution pores, elongated pores corroded
Based on the petrographic and Scanning Electron and a few completely dissolved grains. The
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Microscopic studies on the Tanjung Formation, the dissolution of various framework grains occurred after
sandstone shows a variety of diagenetic feature as a initial compaction and has resulted in an increase in
result of diagenetic processes, such as compaction porosity for some sandstone samples.
and the formation of authigenic minerals and
Based on the diagenetic cycle of Schmidt and
secondary porosities.
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McDonald (1979), the Tanjung Formation sandstone

Compaction effects were illustrated by grain can be equated to the mesogenetic mature “A” stage
supported fabrics with only minimal porosity of diagenesis, whereas based on the diagenetic
preserved. Most of grain supported fabrics within the scheme for mudrock (Burley et al., 1987), that would
M

Tanjung Formation sandstones are point to long grain be included into mudrock stage II, with temperature
contacts. Compaction can also be recorded by the in the range from 80° C to 95° C, and the depth of
deformation of the grains. This process occurred in a burial ranging from 2000 m up to 3000 m.
detritus of mica flakes which exhibit flat to a slightly
bent, and some of them occurred as a truly bent 200 mm

(Photo 5).
Authigenic mineral within the Tanjung Formation M
sandstone are quartz, clay minerals, rutile and
laumontite. Authigenic quartz includes quartz
overgrowths which occur to form to develop, and they
attached to quartz grain (Photos 3 & 6). Authigenic
quartz is small crystal which occurred within the pore
together with authigenic clay minerals. Clay minerals
consist of kaolinite, chlorite, smectite
(montmorollonite), and illite (Photos 7 & 8). They
appear as cement filling pores in between the
sandstone. Authigenic rutile present as small crystal
Photo 5. Thin section microphotograph of the sandstone which show
filling pores. Laumontite occurs as patches of cement a long grain contact fabric and a deformation of mica flakes
interstitial to the framework grains, and also a (M). Samole No. 06ED40B (X nicol).

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A B C D E F G H I J K L
DISCUSSION
9
The framework grain of the Eocene Tanjung
8
Formation consists of dominantly quartz with some
Q 7 feldspar and lithic fragments. Monocrystalline quartz
6 grain can be divided into a single grain with a straight
K
extinction and single grain with undulose extinction.
5
Q Qo Polycrystalline quartz grains can also be divided into
Qo
4
unfoliated and foliated structures. These data
Q
3 indicate that the quartz grains within the Eocene
2
Tanjung Sandstone were derived from granitic and
metamorphic rock source area. The lithic fragments
1
consist of metasediment and metamorphic rock
Photo 6. SEM microphotograph of the sandstone which shows a fragments, with some volcanic fragment. These
quartz overgrowth (Qo) on quartz grain (Q). Sample No. indicate that metasediment and metamorphic, also
06ED40B.
volcanic rocks exist in the source area.
A B C D E F G H I J K L
The Schwaner Mountains, located in the west of the
Sm
9
Barito Basin, comprise tonalite, granodiortite and
8 granitic rocks associated with regional metamorphic
rocks (Hall & Nichols, 2002). Intermediate to basic
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7
volcanic rocks are also present (Ammirudin and Trail,
6
1987; Supriatna et al., 1994). The plutonic and
K
5 metamorphic and associated volcanic rocks in the
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4 Schwaner Mountains are the most suitable source for

the Tanjung Formation sandstone.
3

2
The Eocene Tanjung Formation sandstone shows
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evidence of features, compaction, the formation of

1
authigenic mineral and secondary porosity. These
Photo 7. SEM microphotograph which shows an authigenic clay
features indicate that the Tanjung Formation
minerals such as kaolinite (K) and smectite (SM). Sample 06 sandstone can be equated to the mesogenetic mature
M

ED 39A. “A” stage of diagenesis (Schmidt and McDonald,

A B C D E F G H I J K L 1979), that would be included into mudrock stage II
(diagenetic scheme for mudrock of Burley et al.,
9
1987), with temperature in the range from 80° C to
8
K 95° C, and the depth of burial ranging from 2000 m
F 7 up to 3000 m.
P K 6
These diagenetic features can be related to the
I 5 stratigraphic position of the Tanjung Formation in the
4
Tertiary Barito Basin. The Tanjung Formation is the
oldest Tertiary sediment in Barito Basin. It is overlain
3
K K
by Malasan, Montalat, Warukin, and Dahor
I 2 Formations. The depth and temperature attained
1 during the burial can be estimated reliably using the
diagenetic stages defined by Burley et al. (1987).
Photo 8. SEM microphotograph of the sandstone which shows a
secondary Porosity (P), as a product of the dissolution of
feldspar (F), surounding by kaolinite (K) and illite (I). Sample
No. 06ED24B.

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CONCLUSIONS can be equated to the mesogenetic mature “A” stage
of diagenesis, and would be included into mudrock
The Tanjung Formation sandstone in the Kualakurun
stage II, with temperature in the range from 80° C to
area is composed of subarkose, feldspathic
95° C, and the depth of burial ranging from 2000 m
litharenite, and sublitharenite. The framework grains
up to 3000 m.
were derived from recycled (quartzose recycled)
orogenic and craton interior provenances from the
Schwaner High which occupied by granitic, tonalith ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
and metamorphic rocks, to west of the researched The authors wish to thank the Head of Geological
area. Survey Institute for the permission to present and
The diagenetic processes occurring in the Tanjung publish this paper. The author also would like to
Formation sandstone are compaction, the formations thanks to all colleagues for their suggestions and
of authigenic minerals and secondary porosity, that discussions.

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relation to tectonic setting. Geological Society of America Bulletin 94: 222-235.

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Folk, R.L., 1980. Petrology of Sedimentary Rocks. Hemphil Publishing Company, Austin, 182p.
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Econ. Pal. Min., Spec. Publ. 26: 175-207.
Sumartadipura, A. dan Margono, U., 1996, Peta Geologi Lembar Tewah (Kualakurun), Kalimantan Tengah,
Sekala 1:250.000. Pusat Penelitian dan Pengembangan Geologi.
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Naskah diterima : 4 Maret 2007

Revisi terakhir : 11 Juni 2008

298 JSDG Vol. 18 No. 5 Oktober 2008