Arab J Geosci (2016) 9: 530

DOI 10.1007/s12517-016-2573-9

ORIGINAL PAPER

Facies analysis of the Semanggol Formation, South Kedah,

Malaysia: A possible PermianTriassic boundary section
Hassan Baioumy 1 & Yuniarti Ulfa 2

Received: 10 December 2015 / Accepted: 20 June 2016 / Published online: 24 June 2016
# Saudi Society for Geosciences 2016

Abstract Although the PermianTriassic Semanggol

Formation is widely distributed in northwestern Peninsula
Malaysia and is made of various lithofacies, its sedimentology
and possible relation with the PermianTriassic boundary
(PTB) were not considered before. In this study, detailed facies analysis was conducted for two sections of the
Semanggol Formation at the Bukit Kukus and Baling areas,
South Kedah to clarify its sedimentology and relation to the
PTB. Four facies from the Permian part of the Semanggol
Formation that were identified at the Bukit Kukus section
include laminated black mudstone, interbedded mudstone
and sandstone, volcanogenic sediments, and bedded chert. In
Baling area, the Triassic part of the formation is classified into
three members. The lower member comprises of claystone
and bedded chert facies, while the middle member is composed of sandstone and claystone interbeds (rhythmite). On
the other hand, the upper member is grouped into two main
units. The lower unit is mainly claystone and includes two
facies: the varve-like laminated silt and clay and massive
black claystone. The upper unit is composed of various sandstone lithofacies ranging from hummocky cross stratified
(HCS) sandstone to thinly laminated sandstone to burrowed
sandstone facies. The HCS sandstones occur as two units of
fine-grained poorly sorted sandstone with clay lenses as flaser

* Hassan Baioumy
hassanbaioumy@hotmail.com

Geosciences Department, Faculty of Geosciences and Petroleum

Engineering, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS,
31750 Tronoh, Perak, Malaysia

Polytechnic of Geology and Mining Bandung, Jl. Sulaksana 21,

Bandung, Indonesia

structure and are separated by a hard iron crust. They also

show coarse grains of lag deposits at their bases. The laminated black mudstone at the lowermost part of the Semanggol
Formation represents a reducing and quite conditions, which
is most probably below the fairweather wave base in offshore
environment that changed upwards into a fining upward sequence of tide environment. Abundance of chert beds in the
volcanogenic sediments suggests the deposition of tuffs and
volcanic ashes in deep marine setting which continues to form
the Permian pelagic bedded chert and claystone. The bedded
chert in the lower member of the Triassic section suggests its
formation in deep marine conditions. The rhythmic sandstone
and claystone interbeds of the middle member are suggestive
for its formation as a distal fan of a turbidite sequence.
Lithology and primary sedimentary structure of the upper
member suggest its deposition in environments range from
deep marine represented by the varve-like laminated silt and
clay to subtidal environment corresponds to the massive black
claystone to coastal environment represented by the hummocky sandstone units and reaches the maximum regression
at the hiatus surface. Another cycle of transgression can be
indicated from the second hummocky unit with transgressive
lag deposits that develops to relatively deeper conditions as
indicated from the formation of relatively thick laminated
sandstone and bioturbated massive sandstone facies that represent tidal and subtidal environment, respectively. Late
Permian lithological variation from the radiolarian chert into
early Triassic claystone probably resulted from a decrease in
productivity of radiolarians and might represent a PTB in the
Semanggol Formation. Volcanogenic sediments in the studied
section can be used as an evidence for volcanic activities at the
end of the Permian, which is probably connected to the nearby
volcanic ash layers in the eastern China, the ultimate cause of
the PTB in this area. Black mudstone in the Permian part of
the studied section may be interrelated to the Latest Permian

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Anoxia that started to build in the deep ocean well before the
event on shallow shelves.
Keywords Semanggol . Malaysia . Facies . PTB . Anoxia .
Volcanics

Introduction
The PermianTriassic Semanggol Formation is widely distributed in northwestern Peninsula Malaysia and is made of
various lithofacies. Alexander et al. (1959) has used the term
Semanggol to represent the formation in northern part of
Perak State, north Penensular Malaysia. Burton (1970, 1973,
1988), Courtier (1974), and Teoh (1992) found that similar
rocks were exposed in north Perak, south Kedah, and north
Kedah; therefore, they concluded that the Semanggol
Formation covered all these places. Until recently, the
Semanggol Formation was reported as being entirely of
Triassic age. This was based on bivalves and conodonts which
indicated a Middle Triassic age for the chert member
(Kobayashi and Tamura 1984) and an early Late Triassic age
for the rhythmite member (Kobayashi and Tamura 1984).
However, Sashida et al. (1993, 1995) recovered Late
Permian radiolarians representing the
Follicucullusmonacanthus and Neoalbaillellaornithoformis
zones of Ishiga (1990) from the lower chert member, thus
extending the age of the Semanggol Formation down to the
late Permian (Frances and Metcalfe 1995).
According to Burton (1973) and Sani (1985), the
Semanggol Formation was probably deposited in the
same area which was later separated into three areas
by thrust and faults due to the plate tectonic
movement. Basir and Zaiton (2007) have divided the
Semanggol Formation in the Kuala Ketil area into seven
lithofacies which are laminated mudstone, interbedded
sandstone and mudstone (turbidite), and interbedded
tuffaceous sandstone and tuff with a paraconglomerate
bed; interbedded tuffaceous sandstone, siliceous shale,
and chert; bedded chert; tuffaceous mudstone; and interbedded chert and siliceous mudstone. Rhythmite member is composed of rapidly alternating beds of sandstone
and mudstone, or shale, with occasional beds of conglomerate towards the eastern part of north Kedah
(Hutchison 2009). Katsuo (1995) subdivided the
Semanggol Formation into the lower chert, middle
rhythmite, and upper conglomerate members. The abundance of dark and laminated clays indicated the deposition in deep marine and it is supported by the chert
bedding with containing radiolarian (Burton 1970).
Metcalfe (1990) has considered the Semanggol
Formation as pelagic/turbidite sequence that

Arab J Geosci (2016) 9: 530

accumulated in either a fore deep basin or an

intracratonicpull-apart basin related to strike-slip
faulting.
The abovementioned review of the Semanggol Formation
shows that its origin and sedimentology is still controversial
and it was considered in many of these studies as one unit that
deposited in the same setting as flysch facies (e.g., Burton
1970; Metcalfe 1990; Basir and Zaiton, 2007). Although
Katsuo (1995) subdivided the Semanggol Formation into
three members, no detailed facies analysis was conducted on
these members. The only work done by Basir and Zaiton
(2007) that subdivided the Semanggol Formation into seven
facies neither described these facies in details nor interpreted
their depositional settings. Though the Semanggol Formation
formed in a geologically very important period (Permian
Triassic), its possible relation to the Permian-Triassic boundary was not considered before. Therefore, a detailed facies
analysis of the Semanggol Formation in two sections in the
Bukit Kukus and Baling areas, South Kedah, was carried out
in this study to discuss its origin and depositional model in
connection to the global Permian-Triassic boundary events.
Petrographic, grain size distribution, and mineralogical investigations were also performed for detailed characterization of
the identified facies.

Location and geological setting of the studied areas

Bukit Kukus
An extensive section of the Semanggol Formation outcrops at
the Bukit Kukus about 4.5 km east of the Kuala Ketil town in
south Kedah at latitude of 5 305 40 N and longitude of
100 35100 45 E (Fig. 1; Basir et al. 2005a). Burton (1988)
identified two formations in the studied area, i.e., the Mahang
Formation (Ordovician to Early Devonian) and the
Semanggol Formation (Early Permian to Late Triassic). The
boundary between the two formations is a fault contact. Both
formations were deposited in deep marine environment
Burton (1988). The studies section is oriented north-south
and was cut by several strike-slip faults.
Baling
Baling is a quarter-degree area which extends from 5 30 N to
5 45 N and from 100 45 E to 101 00 E, embracing some
293 mile2 in the northwest part of west Malaysia (Fig. 1). It
lies mainly in the State of Kedah, but on its east side extends
into the State of Perak (Burton 1970). According to Burton
(1970), the succession of the rock units exposed in the Baling
area includes the Palaeozoic Baling Formation, Permian
Triassic Semanggol Formation, Jurassic-Cretaceous granites,
and Pleistocene-Recent alluvium. Burton (1970) classified the

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Fig. 1 a Distribution of the Semanggol Formation in northwestern

Peninsular Malaysia (from Spiller and Metcalfe 1995). b Geological
map of the Bukit Kukus area shows the location of the studied section

there (from Jasin 1997). c Geological map of the Baling area shows the
location of the studied section there (from Burton 1970)

Baling Formation into four facies including the arenaceous,

limestone, argilliceous, and calc-silicate facies. The
Semanggol Formation uncomfortably overlies the Baling
Formation and is composed of three units: (i) chert member;
(ii) mhythmite member of sandstone, siltstone, and shale; and
(iii) conglomerate member in association with sandstone and

shale (Katsuo 1995). The Jurassic-Cretaceous granite

ranges in composition from melanocratic granodiorite
to porphyritic adamellite and alkali adamellite (Burton
1970). The Cenozoic alluvium is composed of partly
consolidated iron-stained sand and gravel to unconsolidated sand, silt, and clay (Burton 1970).

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Materials and methods

Three outcrops that belong to the Semanggol Formation have
been investigated during this study in the Baling area, which is
bounded by latitudes N526 58 to N534 45 and longitudes
E100 4409 to E101 6 47. The investigations include
detailed description of the lithology, primary sedimentary
structures, and thicknesses of the identified facies as well as
the relationships and contact between the facies. In addition,
representative samples for different facies have been collected
for further laboratory investigations. Grain size analysis was
conducted to all sandstone units of the study outcrops. Ten
thin sections were prepared to study on the petrographic and
textural characteristics of the sandstone, clays, and chert in
JMG Ipoh, Malaysia. The thin sections were investigated at
the School of Physics, USM. The purpose of this analysis is to
determine the percentage of different grain sizes contained
within a sandstone samples. The pipette method (Gee and
Bauder 1986) is used to determine the relative proportions
distribution of the clay and silt particles, and the sieving method is used to separate the sands from clay and silt fractions,
and therefore, to classify the sediments. The mineralogy of the
clay intervals in the Semanggol Formation at Baling area was
analyzed by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique at the
School of Physics, Universti Sains Malaysia (USM) using
BRUKER D8 ADVANCE model. The running conditions
for the X-Ray tube are 40 kV and 40 mA.

Results: sedimentary facies

Several facies have been identified in the PermianTriassic
Semanggol Formation at South Kedah. The Permian facies
occur mainly in the Bukit Kukus section (Fig. 2), while the
Triassic facies were identified in the Baling area (Fig. 4).
Lower member of the Triassic succession was identified in
both sections (Figs. 2 and 4).
Permian facies
Based on lithology and facies associations, four lithofacies
were recognized in the Permian part of the Semanggol
Formation at the Bukit Kukus section (Fig. 2). In an ascending order, these facies include laminated black mudstone, interbedded mudstone and sandstone, volcanogenic sediments,
and thinly bedded chert.

Fig. 2 Lithostratigraphic columnar section of the Permian part of

Semanggol Formation at the Bukit Kukus area (modified Jasin et al.
2005a)

black to dark gray laminae with lighter gray laminae of a

millimeter scale of thickness (Figs. 3a, b). The contact between this facies and underlying rocks was not observed.
Lamination develops in fine-grained sediment when fine
particles settle is an indication of quiet water condition (e.g.,
Boggs 1995; Reineck and Singh 1980), which is most probably below the fairweather wave base in offshore environment.
The alternation between layers of different colors may be a
result of seasonal variation in the supply of sediments and
organisms. The abundance of organic matter, as indicated
from the black color of this facies, suggests its formation under reducing condition (e.g., Wignall 1989; Wignall 1994).

Laminated black mudstone: reducing deep marine facies

Interbedded mudstone and sandstone: tide facies
This laminated black mudstone was considered as the lowermost part of the Semanggol Formation (Basir 1997).
Approximately 30 cm thick of this facies outcrops at the studied locality as thin-laminated claystone of alternation between

This facies is composed of approximately 22 m of finegrained sandstone and silty sandstone beds, which are not
laterally continuous and form lenticular bedding and/or wedge

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Fig. 4 Lithostratigraphic
columnar sections for the Triassic
part of the Semanggol Formation
at the Baling area. a
Lithostratigraphic columnar
section of the lower member, b
lithostratigraphic columnar
section of the middle member,
and c lithostratigraphic columnar
section of the upper member

out, where mudstone beds intercalated with the sandstone

layers. Mudstone beds also forming the top part of the sandstone show fining-upward cycles (Figs. 3c, d). Ripple and
wave laminations are quite common in this facies especially
in the sand intervals (Fig. 3e). The mudstones, 2030 cm
thick, are violet to reddish, patchy to mottled (red, brown,
yellow, green, and purple) near the top, thinly laminated to
massive. They sometimes contain desiccation cracks filled
with fine-grained sandstone (Fig. 3f).
Alternating layers of sandstone and mudstone as well
as ripple and wave laminations indicate tidal influence
during sedimentation (Buatios and Mangano 2003). The
cyclic nature and the lateral wedging out of sandstones
and mudstones suggest variations in tidal currents during neap spring-tidal fluctuations (Kvale and Archer
1990). The violet and reddish colors of the mudstone
suggest subaerial exposure when the iron-bearing minerals were oxidized between tidal cycles.

Volcanogenic sediments
Volcanogenic sediments in the studied section are presented
by thinly bedded to massif tuffs and tuffaceous sandstone.
Tuffs horizon in the studied area occurs as yellow and grayish
yellow interval of approximately 20 m thick overlying the
interbedded mudstone and sandstone. It is mostly massif although it shows some faint lamination and is very light due to
the abundance of cavities and gas vessels. Black spots and
tarnishes are also common in these tuffs (Figs. 3g, h).
Tuffaceous sandstone also occurs in a thick interval underlying the bedded chert in the studied section of approximately
25 m. It is moderately hard yellowish to reddish gray finegrained massive to faint laminated sandstones with frequent
intercalation of thin chert beds of few millimeters in thickness
(Figs. 3i, j).
Volcanogenic sediments such as tuffaceous sandstone and
tuffs were not reported by Burton (1973, 1988) probably

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Fig. 3 Field photos of the Permian facies identified in the Bukit Kukus
area. Black laminated claystone (a, b), sandstone and claystone interbeds
with fining upward sequence and lamination in the claystone (c, d), ripple

and wave laminations in the sandstone beds (e, arrow) and desiccation
cracks in the mudstone layers (f, arrow), tuffs (g, h), tuffaceous sandstone
with chert beds (i, j), and bedded chert (k, l)

because of lack of exposure, while they were recorded by

Basir et al. (2005a). In other localities of Malaysia, Azman
(2009a,b) reported abundance of Permian volcanogenic series
in Pahang area, predominantly of tuffs. The occurrence of
volcanogenic sediments in the studied section is suggestive
for the existence of volcanic activities in the Permian in northwestern Malaysia. The abundance of chert beds in these
volcanogenic sediments may indicate their deposition in deep
marine conditions.

and/or chalcedonic quartz. These siliceous skeletons are

surrounded with minute aggregates of crypto- to microcrystalline quartz probably originated from fragmented siliceous
skeletons as matrix and cement.
The origin of the bedded cherts in the Semanggol
Formation is debated. According to Metcalfe (1990), bedded
chert in the Semanggol Formation is found closely related to
non-lithogenic components. Non-lithogenic components in
bedded cherts are assumed to be authigenic phases (e.g., oxides, sulfates, and phosphates) and biogenic debris (e.g., opaline silica and phosphate represented by conodont). Formation
of these phases is closely related to marine biogeochemical
cycle. Burton (1973) also concluded that the chert in the
Semanggol Formation formed in the deep marine environment. On the other hand, Jones and Murchey (1986) used
the association of this chert with terrigenous materials such
as mudstone, siliceous mudstone, sandstone and mudstone,
and conglomerate, which were derived from a continent to
interpret it as a continental margin-chert.
These two settings (deep marine versus continental margin)
have been also discussed previously as possible settings of the
bedded chert in general. Each of this setting has its

Bedded chert: pelagic facies

Approximately 20 m of bedded chert that is considered as Late
Permian in age by Basir et al. (2005a) overlies the interbedded
siliceous shale, chert, and tuffaceous sandstone interval. It is
generally hard, brittle, and ranges in colors from cream, yellow, light gray, to pale brown (Figs. 3k, l). The chert is wellbedded and jointed. Individual beds are a few centimeters
thick and commonly are separated by very thin layers of silicified shale. Under the optical microscope, chert beds are mainly composed of siliceous skeletons such as radiolarians and
sponge spicules now converted into microcrystalline quartz

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Fig. 3 continued.

characteristic features and composition. The shelf-type radiolarian chert that contains abundant radiolarians with sponge
spicules and/or diatoms is black to gray, lacks rhythmic bedding, and has thick argillaceous intercalations. In addition,
shelf-type radiolarian cherts are associated with phosphate,
platform limestone, and felsic tuff. In terms of geochemical
features, the shelf-type radiolarian chert is enriched in organic
carbon suggesting deposition under denitrifying and/or
sulfate-reducing conditions. These features suggest that
shelf-type radiolarian chert was deposited in poorly aerated
semi-restricted basins under suboxic-anoxic conditions, or in
an oxygen-minimum zone. Open ocean chert is usually composed of rhythmically alternating beds of chert (several centimeters thick) and siliceous shale (<1 cm thick), due to small
detrital influx. The radiolarian chert in the open ocean generally has low organic carbon content, indicating deposition
under oxic conditions, in well-aerated basins or basins deeper
than the oxygen-minimum zone (Kametaka et al. 2005).
The rhythmically alternating beds of chert and lack or absence of detrital components as well as absence of any black
chert, carbonate, and phosphate in the studied chart are

suggestive for the pelagic origin of this chert under oxic conditions and well-aerated basin with minimum detrital input.
Triassic facies
In the Baling area, the Triassic succession of the Semanggol
Formation is subdivided into three members (Fig. 4), the lower, middle, and upper members. Each of these members is
characterized by a distinct association of facies. The lower
member facies association was also recognized in the upper
part of the Bukit Kukus section (Fig. 5).
The lower memberclaystone and bedded chert: pelagic
facies
This member was identified in the upper part of the Bukit
Kukus section and along the Baling-Gerik road at coordinates N 5 41 38.1 E 100 51 8.1. It is composed of two
facies, namely, the claystone and bedded chert facies.
The claystone facies occurs as friable pale yellow to gray
interval underlying the bedded chert facies (Fig. 6a). While

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Fig. 5 A compiled
Lithostratigraphic columnar
section and correlation between
the Permian and Triassic facies of
the Semanggol Formation at the
Bukit Kukus and Baling areas,
respectively

these mudstone facies looks more or less massive at the

Baling area, varve-like lamination can be identified in
the Bukit Kukus section (Fig. 6b). XRD analysis of
the claystone unit showed that this horizon is composed
of kaolinite, quartz, and illite. The abrupt increase in the
detrital constituents from almost pure chert in the Late
Permian to almost pure terrigenous in this interval may
indicate a period of relatively shallow depositional environment of this claystone interval.
The chert facies, which was considered as Early Triassic by
Basir et al. (2005b), occurs on the top of the Bukit Kukus
section ranging in thickness from 18 to 22 m and is cut by

thrust fault (Fig. 6c). At the Baling area, a thickness of more

than 30 m of bedded chert was recognized at the Tawar area,
and this why it is locally called the Tawar chert (Fig. 6e). In
both areas (Figs. 6d, f for Bukit Kukus and Baling, respectively), the chert is generally hard, brittle, and is characterized by a
very wide range of colors including white, cream, yellow, light
gray, pale green, red, and purple. In general, its weathered
surface is friable and white, cream, or yellow in color. The
chert is well-bedded and jointed. Individual beds are a few
centimeters thick and are commonly separated by thin layers
of silicified shale; generally, only a few millimeters thick.
Under the optical microscope, chert beds are composed of

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Fig. 6 Field photos of the

Triassic facies identified in the
lower member of the Semanggol
Formation at both Bukit Kukus
and Baling areas. Permian
claystone at the Bukit Kukus area
(a, b), Triassic claystone at the
Baling area (c, d), Permian
bedded chert at the Bukit Kukus
area (e, f), and Triassic bedded
chert at the Baling area (g, h)

siliceous skeletons such as radiolarians and sponge spicules

now converted into microcrystalline quartz and/or chalcedonic quartz. These siliceous skeletons are surrounded with minute aggregates of crypto- to microcrystalline quartz probably
originated from fragmented siliceous skeletons as matrix and
cement.
The similarity in lithology, primary sedimentary structure,
and composition of the Triassic-bedded chert to that of the
Permian one suggests a similar origin of the Triassic chert as
deep marine pelagic facies.

The middle memberrhythmically bedded sandstone

and mudstone: distal turbidite facies
The middle member of the Semanggol Formation exposed
along the Baling-Gerik road as a result of excavation activities
to renovate the area at coordinates N 050 35 3 E 1000 45 45.
The outcrop is composed of repeated intercalations
(rhythmite) of sandstones and claystone of various thicknesses
(Fig. 7a). The sandstone beds range in thickness from 5 cm to
20 cm and always massive. The color of sandstones ranges

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Fig. 7 a Field photos of the
rhythmic sandstone and claystone
interbeds of the middle member
of the Semanggol Formation,
Baling, b slump interval showing
chaotic bedding, and convoluted
layering (c) as the result of synsedimentary deformation

Arab J Geosci (2016) 9: 530

from yellowish gray to gray to yellow and in size from medium to fine sand size. The clayey beds vary in thickness from
10 cm to 30 cm and mostly massive although it is occasionally
and laminated. The color of the clay beds rang from gray to
dark gray and black. Many features of slumping such as chaotic beds (Fig. 7b), sandstone blocks and soft-sediment deformation (Fig. 7c) are common in this unit. The contacts between the sandstone and clay beds are in most cases sharp.
XRD analysis showed that the clay intervals are composed of
kaolinite, quartz and illite, while the grain size analysis of the
sand layers indicated that they are composed of sand (approximately 50 wt%) with silt (approximately 38 wt%) and some
clays (approximately 12 wt%).
The slump structure, chaotic bedding, convoluted layering,
and the thin rhythmic interbeds of graywacke sandstone and
claystone of the middle member in the studied area are suggestive of turbidite facies of a continental slope setting. The
absence of conglomerate and graded bedding in this turbidite
indicates that this part represents a distal turbidite at the lower
(outer) and distal part of the fan (e.g., Guo et al. 2012; Ismail
et al. 2007). This part of the turbidite sequence is composed of
fine-grained sandstone (Guo et al. 2012) or thin rhythmic
interbes of sandstone and claystone (e.g., Ismail et al. 2007).
Burton (1973) excluded the possible turbidite origin of this
unit due to the occurrence of black claystone. However, the

interpretation of this member as distal turbidite can also explain the presence of black claystone in the studied section
where reducing conditions can be developed in this deepmarine setting. According to Dean et al. (1984), mid-water
anoxic layer intercepts the ocean bottom, sediments rich in
organic matter can accumulate. Downslope movement of such
sediments can result in formation of black shales within deep
ocean turbiditic sequences. This scenario points out another
factor essential to preserve organic materials, the sedimentation rate. Quicker burial results in better preservation, even
under oxygenated bottom-water conditions, through establishment of anoxic conditions in the sediments whenever organic
matter supplies are sufficient to deplete pore-water oxygen
levels. Dark organic-rich layers were also reported in the turbidite sediments from the Japan Sea (e.g., Tada 2004;
Nakajima and Itaki 2007).
The upper membersandstonessiltstonemudstone: open
marine to coastal facies association
This member was recorded along the Baling-Gerik road at
coordinates N 5 35 3 E 100 45 45. This Member is classified based on its lithology into two major units include the
lower claystone unit and the upper sandstone unit. Each of
them is classified into several facies based on their lithology

Arab J Geosci (2016) 9: 530

and primary sedimentary structure. From the bottom to the

top, the lower claystone unit included the finely laminated
claystone facies and a massive black claystone with silty laminae and burrows at the top and laminated clay and silt facies.
The upper sandstone unit in ascending order comprises two
hummocky cross stratification (HCS) sandstones, thinlaminated sandstone, and massive bioturbated sandstone
lithofacies.
Varve-like thin-laminated siltclay: deep marine facies
These facies represent the basal part of the upper member
exposed in the studied area. It is composed of a welldeveloped fine laminated claystone of alternations of light
gray to white lamina with yellowish and pinkish laminae
(Fig. 8a). The thickness of each laminae ranges from 2 mm
up to 1 cm. Under the petrographic microscope, the clay laminae of lighter color are entirely made up of very fine-grained
clay material without any coarse grains, while the silt laminae
with pinkish color are characterized by very fine silt detrital
quartz grains. XRD analysis of the laminated siltclay facies
showed that it is composed of kaolinite, quartz and illite. The
basal contact of this facies is not exposed in the measured
section while the upper contact with the overlying massive
black claystone is sharp.
Cyclic changes during the supply of sediment that may
occur in grain size, organic matter, or mineral content formed
the lamination in difference color (Boggs 2006). Lamination
develops in fine-grained sediment when fine-grained particles
settle, which can only happen in quiet water (Boggs 1995).
Reineck and Singh (1980) interpreted the varve-like thin-laminated sediments as deep marine environment. The alternation
between layers of different colors may be a result of seasonal
variation in the supply of sediments and organisms.
Massive black claystone: subtidalintertidal facies Massive
black claystone unit of about 55 cm thick overlies the laminated claystone facies (Fig. 8b). Thin sharp-based pinkish and
yellowish gray clay laminae (12 cm thick; Fig. 8c) as well as
small-scale (several millimeters) burrows (Fig. 8d) are quite
common on the top half of this unit. Under the optical microscope, this facies is composed mainly of very fine clayey
matrix with organic matter and few relatively coarse detrital
quartz grains. XRD analysis of the black claystone facies
showed that this horizon is composed of kaolinite, quartz
and illite.
The abundance of clay grain size indicates the deposition of
this facies in low-energy environment (e.g., Cablan and Bustin
2001). Lack of wave ripples indicates that the deposition occurred in, or below, the offshore-transition environment (e.g.,
Elliott 1986). The abundance of organic matter in the lower
part of this facies, as indicated from the black color of this
facies indicates the formation of this part under relatively deep
and reducing conditions probably subtidal environment (e.g.,

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Wignall 1989; Wignall 1994). In the meantime, the occurrence of silt layers of low organic carbon (yellowish and pinkish colors) as well abundance of trace fossils on the top of this
facies can also indicate the presence of brief episodes of oxygenation of the water column allowing for rapid benthic colonization by opportunistic organisms (Oschmann 1988;
Wignall and Hallam 1991). This indicates a shallowing upward in the depositional environment of this facies to relatively shallow and oxidizing conditions likely subtidalintertidal
environment.
Hummocky sandstone: storm beach facies Two units of
hummocky cross stratification (HCS) and swaley cross stratification (SCS) sandstone were identified at the base of the
upper sandstone unit (Fig. 8e). HCS is characterized by a
gently undulating low-angle cross-lamination with the convex
upward and concave-downward parts (Fig. 8e). They are composed of fine-grained sandstone with curved stratifications
with the abundance of clay lenses of various sizes as flaser
sedimentary structure (Fig. 8f). The thickness of each unit is
approximately 30 cm and they are separated by a thin (~ 3 cm)
of iron crust (Fig. 8g). Lag deposits of very coarse-grained
sand are very common in the basal part of the second hummocky cross stratified sandstone (Fig. 8h). Under the petrographic microscope, HCS sandstone units are composed of
poorly sorted sandstone with relative abundance of finegrained quartz and occurrence of some coarse-grained angular
to subangular quartz grains. Grain size analysis of both units
indicated that they are composed mainly of sand (7375 wt%)
and less contents of silt and clay fractions.
The hummocky cross stratification (HCS) is indicative of
episodic storm deposits (Harms et al., 1975; Walker and Plint,
1992) and it is a type of sedimentary structure which found
occurred as wavy erosional bases (concave-up (swales) and
convex-up (hummocks) and flaser found on the surface.
Flaser bedding typically forms in high-energy environments
(Martin 2000). Hiatus surface that is found at the contact between both hummocky sandstone cycles represents a shift in
the dispersal pattern of the terrigenous clastic materials,
followed by marine transgression over the platform, resulting
in some erosion of the platform sediment in the hummocky
sandstone (Kepferle 1968). The wavy structure represents the
unidirectional and oscillatory flow of large storm dominated
environment that hit the shore face. The abundance of coarsegrained lag deposits at the base of the HCS is suggestive for
the transgression of the sea (e.g., Baioumy and Tada 2005).
Thin-laminated sandstone: tidal facies Overlying the HCS
units, relatively thick facies (approximately 4 m) of a thinlaminated yellowish gray medium to fine-grained sandstone
facies exists (Fig. 8i). The lamination is represented by twin
laminae, the thicker one ranging from 5 to 10 mm while the
thinner one ranges from 2 to 5 mm thick (Fig. 8j). Grain size

530 Page 12 of 16

Arab J Geosci (2016) 9: 530

Fig. 8 Field photos of lithofacies identified in the upper member of the

Semanggol Formation, Baling. a Varve-like laminated claystone, b
massive black claystone with silt laminae (c) and burrows (d) at its top,
the gently undulating low-angle cross-lamination with the convex upward
and concave-downward parts of the hummocky cross-stratified sandstone

units (e, arrows) and close up to the flaser clay structure (f, arrows) as
well as the hard iron crust (g) between the two HCS units and the lag
deposits (h) at the bottom of the second HCS sandstone unit, i, g fine
laminated sandstone facies, and k, l burrowed sandstone facies

analysis of this facies indicated the relative abundance of the

sand size (approximately 80 wt%) over the silt and clay
fractions.
The thinly laminated character of this facies suggests that it
was deposited in a tidal zone, as described from ancient (upper
Cambrian, Wisconsin; Drises et al. 1987) and modern sediments (North Sea tidal flat; Wunderlich 1970). Similar bedding has been produced artificially by Reineck and
Wunderlich (1968) and Reineck and Singh (1980) and is
termed tidal bedding.

20 cm in diameter (Fig. 8l) that attain this unit the massive

appearance. Grain size analysis of this facies indicated the
relative abundance of the sand size (approximately 60 wt%)
over the silt and clay fractions. It also shows that this unit is
finer in size and has a higher clay-sized constituents when
compared with the underlying HCS and thin-laminated sand
facies.
The massive nature of this facies is due to intensive
burrowing by the organisms that characterize the subtidal zone
(Rhoads 1967). Abundance of clay in this facies suggests that
it was not subjected to the winnowing action of currents that
dominate the tidal zone (e.g., Khalifa et al. 2006). The
ichnofacies in the upper part of this unit is characterized by
horizontal and spherical structures (e.g., Planolites,
Scalarituba, Helminthopsis, and Palaeophycus) of the
Cruziana ichnofacies. The Cruziana ichnofacies commonly
occurs in somewhat deeper water within subtidal zones below

Massive-burrowed sandstone: subtidal facies The top unit of

the Semanggol Formation in the studied area is approximately
3 m of yellowish to reddish gray clayey sandstone facies
(Fig. 8k). It is characterized by thin lamination that already
destroyed by the abundance of a mixture of horizontal and
rounded burrows ranging in size from few centimeters up to

Arab J Geosci (2016) 9: 530

Page 13 of 16 530

Fig. 8 continued.

fairweather wave base but above storm wave base (Frey and
Seilacher 1980), typical of the middle and outer shelf. Thus,
an abundance of clay as well as the Cruziana ichnofacies
indicates the formation of this unit in a subtidal environment.

Discussion
Depositional history
A depositional model was constructed for the Permian
Triassic Semanggol Formation at South Kedah based on
the facies analysis. The Semanggol Formation deposited
in a wide range of depositional environment range from
deep setting to shallow conditions reaching a maximum
transgression and hiatus condition. A deep marine setting was proposed for the thin-laminated mudstone at
the base of the Permian part of the studied section at
Bukit Kukus. This deep marine environment changes
upward to a shallower tide condition as indicated from

the formation of fining upward sequence of sandstone

and claystone. Abundance of chert beds in the
volcanogenic sediments suggests the deposition of tuffs
and volcanic ashes in deep marine setting which continues to form the Permian pelagic bedded chert. A
pelagic environment was also intended for the Triassic
chert units of the lower member based on the lack of
terrigenous constituents and organic matter in these
units. The claystone interval between the two bedded
chert units may represent a relatively shallow marine
conditions compared with the pelagic environments of
the chert units. The middle member that is made up
of rhythmic sandstone and claystone, which was
interpreted as distal turbidites, i.e., outer fan setting.
The upper member starts with the varve-like laminated
silt and clay that represents a pelagic deep marine environment. These conditions changed upwards to
shallower environment as subtidal to intertidal environment that are represented by the massive black clay
facies. Following this facies, two hummocky cross

530 Page 14 of 16

stratification sandstone units separated by a hiatus surface were considered as storm shelf environment and
represent the shallowest deposition condition in the
studied section. The depositional conditions then turned
to deeper environment as tidal environment represented
by the laminated sandstone facies and then subtidal environment represented by the burrowed clayey sandstone
lithofacies.
Periods of anoxic reducing conditions can be also noticed
during the depositional history of the Semanggol Formation in
both the Permian and Triassic parts. These stages are represented by the Permian thin-laminated mudstone at the base of
the studied section, the Triassic black clay intervals in the
rhythmic lower member of the turbidite facies as well as the
massive black claystone in the upper member that formed in a
subtidal environment.

Arab J Geosci (2016) 9: 530

Traps (e.g., Kamo et al. 2003; Reichow et al. 2009). The

PTB crisis is also associated with volcanic ash layers in the
Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) eastern China
(e.g., Yin et al. 2007). They are considered to be unrelated to
the Siberian Traps and of regional origin may have contributed to the PTB biotic crisis in South China (e.g., Jin et al. 2000;
Xie et al. 2010). The relatively thick interval of volcanogenic
sediments (tuffs and tuffaceous sandstone) in the Permian section of the studied section at Bukit Kukus is suggestive for
volcanic activities near to the end of Permian in Malaysia. The
volcanogenic sediments in the Semanggol Formation can be
correlated with the volcanic ash layers in the eastern China
since they are relatively proximate.

Conclusions
Implications for the PermianTriassic boundary (PTB)
events
Basir et al. (2005a) discovered Neoalbaillella optima assemblage Radiolarian Zone from bedded chert facies at the top of
the Bukit Kukus section indicating Late Permian age of this
chert facies. In the meantime, Basir et al. (2005b) reported
Entaclinosphaera chiakensis assemblage Radiolarian Zone
for the Early Triassic (Spathian) age for the overlying bedded
chert in the same section. Therefore, the measured section of
the Semanggol Formation at South Kedah, Malaysia can be
considered as a potential PermianTriassic boundary (PTB)
section. The lithological variation from the Late Permian radiolarian chert into claystone of the Early Triassic probably
resulted from a decrease in productivity of radiolarians
(Kakuwa 1994, 1996). This claystone interval, thus, might
represent a PTB in the Semanggol Formation.
According to Isozaki (1997), the global phenomenon of
super-anoxia was initiated near the CapitanianWuchiapingian (Middle-Late Permian) boundary and continued until the end of the Anisian Stage (Early Middle Triassic),
a 20 My interval. Wignall et al. (2010) also identified a rapid
onset of ocean euxinia is then seen in the latest Permian before
longer-term anoxic conditions (10 My) were developed during in the Early Triassic. Within this interval euxinia returns in
the late Spathian and possibly the Dienerian stages. The black
claystone in the Permian interval of the Semanggol Formation
at Bukit Kukus section may correspond to the Middle-Late
Permian global super-anoxia. Evidence from the abyssal plain
settings of Panthalassa suggests that this anoxia started to
build in the deep sea well before shallow shelves (Kato
et al., 2002; Algeo et al., 2008). The laminated nature of this
mudstone suggested its formation in deep marine conditions,
which is consistent with this finding.
The ultimate cause of the PTB event is thought to have
been large-scale eruptions of flood basalts of the Siberian

PermianTriassic Semanggol Formation, which is widely distributed in north-western Peninsula Malaysia, was subjected
to detailed facies analysis to construct its depositional history
and its relation to the PTB events. Four facies were identified
in the Permian part of the formation including the laminated
black mudstone facies that represents a reducing offshore condition, tidal fining upward sequence of sandstone and
claystone, deep marine tuffs and tuffaceous sandstone, and
pelagic late Permian bedded cherts. On the other hand, the
Triassic part of the formation was classified into the lower
member of early Triassic pelagic bedded chert underlain by
claystone, the middle member of the distal fan turbidite rhythmic sandstone and claystone interbeds, and the upper member
that ranges in its depositional environment from deep sea represented by the varve-like laminated silt and clay to subtidal
environment corresponds to the massive black claystone to
coastal environment represented by the hummocky sandstone
facies and reaches the maximum regression at the hiatus surface. The second hummocky sandstone facies with lag deposits represents another transgression cycle that develops to
relatively deeper conditions as indicated from the formation of
relatively thick laminated sandstone and bioturbated massive
clayey sandstone facies. The lithological variation from late
Permian radiolarian chert to claystone of the early Triassic
probably resulted from a decrease in productivity of radiolarians and might represent a PTB in the Semanggol Formation
at South Kedah, Malaysia. Black mudstone in the Permian
part of the studied section can be correlated with the Latest
Permian Anoxia that started to build in the deep ocean well
before the event on shallow shelves. Volcanogenic sediments
in the studied section can be used as a strong evidence of
volcanic activities at the end of the Permian, which is probably
connected to the nearby volcanic ash layers in the eastern
China and can be considered as the ultimate cause of the
PTB in this area.

Arab J Geosci (2016) 9: 530

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