Impact structures in Malaysia: recognition and implications

H. D. Tjia (2010) Impact structures in Malaysia: recognition and implications. In: Geological heritage of Malaysia: geoheritage conservation (1997-2009). Institut Alam Sekitar dan Pembangunan (LESTARI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, pp. 151-190. ISBN 9789675227370

A study of satellite and synthetic aperture radar images, aerial photographs, geological and topographic maps complemented by fieldwork in certain areas and laboratory observation of rock samples has recorded over 60 circular features in Malaysia. Fifteen of these may be products of impact by extraterrestrial objects. The rest appears to represent structural basins and domes, igneous intrusions, subvolcanic bodies or a caldera. Shock-metamorphic phenomena such as cleavage and planar deformation features (PDFs) in quartz have been discovered and described earlier from a single locality near Kuantan, Pahang. The quartz is in granitic soil overlain by Quaternary basalt lava. Unusual breccia resembling tuff breccia at Bukit Lebam, Desaru, southeast Johor, may be suevite. A 3.5 km wide rounded depression, the so-called Paloh Ring, astride the Pahang-Terengganu border in the Kuantan area may also represent an impact crater and is perhaps associated with the PDFs found nearby. On the North American continent, impact structures have yielded over a billion barrels of petroleum and gas. The Sudbury, Canada, nickel deposit is now considered the result of upper-mantle magma activation by a meteorite impact. The present review aims to determine and to document impact structures in Malaysia. The study may also contribute to the world database of impact structures which may prove useful in formulating mitigation measures against future collision with extra terrestrial objects. Aparts from possible economic aspects, the recognition of impact structures in Malaysia is to serve scientific studies, to initiate conservation measures and generate widespread interest in a rare phenomenon.

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Abstract

A study of satellite and synthetic aperture radar images, aerial photographs, geological and topographic maps complemented by fieldwork in certain areas and laboratory observation of rock samples has recorded over 60 circular features in Malaysia. Fifteen of these may be products of impact by extraterrestrial objects. The rest appears to represent structural basins and domes, igneous intrusions, subvolcanic bodies or a caldera. Shock-metamorphic phenomena such as cleavage and planar deformation features (PDFs) in quartz have been discovered and described earlier from a single locality near Kuantan, Pahang. The quartz is in granitic soil overlain by Quaternary basalt lava. Unusual breccia resembling tuff breccia at Bukit Lebam, Desaru, southeast Johor, may be suevite. A 3.5 km wide rounded depression, the so-called Paloh Ring, astride the Pahang-Terengganu border in the Kuantan area may also represent an impact crater and is perhaps associated with the PDFs found nearby. On the North American continent, impact structures have yielded over a billion barrels of petroleum and gas. The Sudbury, Canada, nickel deposit is now considered the result of upper-mantle magma activation by a meteorite impact. The present review aims to determine and to document impact structures in Malaysia. The study may also contribute to the world database of impact structures which may prove useful in formulating mitigation measures against future collision with extra terrestrial objects. Aparts from possible economic aspects, the recognition of impact structures in Malaysia is to serve scientific studies, to initiate conservation measures and generate widespread interest in a rare phenomenon.

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Item Type:	Book Section
Additional Information:	Available at Perpustakaan Sultan Abdul Samad, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43000 UPM Serdang, Malaysia. QE299.5 G345 Call Number
AGROVOC Term:	structures
AGROVOC Term:	geological data
AGROVOC Term:	sampling
AGROVOC Term:	laboratory experimentation
AGROVOC Term:	geologists
AGROVOC Term:	impact assessment
AGROVOC Term:	natural resources
Geographical Term:	Malaysia
Depositing User:	Ms. Azariah Hashim
Date Deposited:	03 Dec 2024 02:53
Last Modified:	03 Dec 2024 02:53
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/1007

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