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Group Leader: Associate Prof. Dr. Meor Hakif Amir Hassan meorhakif@um.edu.my 03-7967 4144 Room No : 405 (Main Building) |
Members
Research Direction
Southeast Asia has a very complex tectonic history. The geomorphology of present-day Southeast Asia is a product of numerous continental fragment collisions which occurred throughout the Phanerozoic. Of particular interest is the collision between Gondawanaland-derived terranes and Indochina-derived terranes sometime during the Late Palaeozoic. The collision zone between these terranes is fortunately exposed and preserved on the mainland of Peninsular Malaysia, and provides us with the opportunity to determine the timing of the collision and its effect on sedimentation in the region. Sedimentary rocks of Palaeozoic and Mesozoic age form thick, well preserved successions in the Northwest and Central Peninsular Malaysia. Unfortunately, due to the tropical climate, laterally extensive exposures are rare and new outcrops are rapidly vegetated. New outcrops exposed by further development, and new ideas in plate tectonic and basin analysis can increase our understanding of the depositional history of these ancient basins. Of particular interest is the apparent difference in the stratigraphic history between West and East Peninsular Malaysia. The well preserved successions can also provide insights into ancient phenomena of global significance, such as mass extinctions, faunal and floral evolution, climate change and glaciations.
Research Areas
Stratigraphic, sedimentological and palaeontological study of the Mid- to Late-Palaeozoic sedimentary succession in Northwest Peninsular Malaysia. Northwest Peninsular Malaysia has an almost complete stratigraphic record from the Cambrian to the Permian. The fossil record is very rich, but much of the diversity has not been described and documented. A revised and detailed sedimentological study is need, based on new understanding in sedimentation and its relation to tectonics. Mesozoic fauna and depositional environments. Dinosaur-bearing sedimentary rocks are present in neighbouring Thailand. Age-equivalent rocks are also known from Central and East Peninsular Malaysia. New outcrops in Pahang may potentially preserve vertebrate fossils. A rich Mesozoic flora has been recently discovered in Pahang. This project will encompass sedimentological analysis of the sedimentary basin with the objective of interpreting depositional environment and stratigraphic history. Another objective is to fully document the faunal and floral diversity of the Mesozoic fossils of Pahang. Other research areas. The Permian- Triassic boundary is located within some limestone outcrops in Peninsular Malaysia and the important transition need to be studied in detail. Sabah and Sarawak in north Borneo have abundant sedimentary rocks including marine Jurassic-Cretaceous clastics and carbonates as well as hydrocarbon bearing Tertiary sediment ary rocks that need further investigation.
Last Update: 15/02/2024