Neogene structures and exhumation in central North Sulawesi

Alfend Rudyawan, Robert Hall, Ian Watkinson and Lloyd White

Aims

This project aims to gain a better understanding of the Neogene history of the central part of the North Arm of Sulawesi by identifying structures and determining ages and rates of exhumation. These ages and exhumation rates will be determined by radiometric dating of minerals from key samples. Ages from radiometric dating will be used in conjunction with field relationships to identify the timing of deformation in the North Arm of Sulawesi. This project will provide a revised stratigraphy for the region which will be extrapolated to interpret the offshore geology in Gorontalo Bay.

Background

An alternative to the current understanding that suggest the east-west trending North Arm of Sulawesi formed as a result of the collision between western Sulawesi and the Paleogene volcanic is needed. Recent onshore and offshore geological studies indicate that Late Neogene crustal extension has also played a major role in this region. A revision of the stratigraphy in combination with new age data will add to our understanding of the geological and tectonic history of the region.

Recent Papers –

Max Webb et al., 2020. Isotopic mapping reveals the location of crustal fragments along a long-lived convergent plate boundary. Lithos.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lithos.2020.105687

Max Webb et al., 2020. The history of Cenozoic magmatism and collision in NW New Guinea – New insights into the tectonic evolution of the northernmost margin of the Australian Plate. Gondwana Research.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gr.2019.12.010

Amy Gough et al., 2020. Mid-Cenozoic fluvio-deltaic to marine environments of the Salin Sub-basin, Central Myanmar. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jseaes.2019.104143

Recent News –

Amy Gough and Max Webb attended the Restech 2.0 Virtual Reservoir Conference. Amy Gough presented new SEARG research on the pitfalls of light mineral studies for sedimentary provenance in tropical climates.

Amy Gough was awarded an honorary research fellowship of the British Geological Survey and continues to foster collaborative relationships between SEARG and the BGS.