The dynamics of the developing calcarenite member of Pamutuan Formation in Cintaratu area, Pangandaran, West Java

Abstract

The investigated area is located in Cintaratu, Parigi District, Pangandaran Regency in the Southeastern part of Southern Mountain of West Java. The rock unit in the investigated area is described as the Calcarenite Member of the Pamutuan Formation. The present study applying detailed lithologic and paleontologic description reveals five lithologic units. Combining the field method with microscopic analysis leads to the verification of the age and environments of this carbonate rocks. The study concludes the development of reef complex in Early Mid Miocene, followed by the high energy of the dynamic environment producing the fragments of the lime clasts embedded in the packstone, indicates the deposition in the fore slope. The regression took place and moved the deposition environment to the low-energy condition at the back of the reef, producing bioclastic packstone containing larger foram. Rising seawater level amplified the dynamics of the seawater in mid-Middle Miocene. The formation of planktic packstone marked an initial transgression phase that was well-represented as regional transgressive in Southeast Asia. This phase continued until interbedded calcareous mudstone and sandstone were produced. Finally, in Late Mid Miocene the sea level regressive accumulated coarse materials of calcarenite grain size containing fragments of larger foram within shallower deposition environment. The NNW-SSE elongated distribution of five units of Calcerinite Member pointed out the configuration of Middle Miocene coastal line. In Early Middle Miocene, various carbonate rocks formation was primarily controlled by tectonic activities. Afterward, the rock deposition affected by the regional sea level rise and drop during Mid to Late Middle Miocene. The detailed description of the Calcarenite Member, therefore, contributed to the understanding of the paleogeography of Mid Miocene age and the dynamics of the environmental deposition.