Landscape, Geology and Soils of the Malay Peninsula

Shamshuddin J., . and Shafar J.M., . and Mohd Firdaus M.A., . (2023) Landscape, Geology and Soils of the Malay Peninsula. Malaysian Journal of Soil Science (MJSS) (Malaysia), 27. pp. 8-28.

Intermittent climate change episodes since the Late Pleistocene resulted in decreasing or increasing the earth’s temperature causing the global sea levels to drop or rise accordingly. These episodes had a remarkable impact on landscape and soils in the Malay Peninsula. The peninsula is characterised by the presence of steep highlands in the central region with the rest occupied by upland undulating terrains and flat alluvial areas. Major soils in the upland regions are formed from igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks ranging in age from Mesozoic to Paleozoic. Most soils developed from those rocks are classified as Ultisols or Oxisols. Both soil types are acidic in nature, having low basic cations insufficient to sustain crop production. Three levels of riverine terraces are scattered sporadically in the peninsula. The age of the sediments forming the highest terraces is 40,000 years, while the lowest terraces are found in the present flood plains. The fluvial characters of the terraces are preserved in the sediments that can be observed and studied. Marine deposits are located along the low-lying coastal plains. The alluvium is divided into clayey sediments found mainly in the West coast and the sandy ones in the East coast of the peninsula. The former contains pyrite at certain locations that produces acidity on oxidation, while the latter have very high sand content. The pyritization of the sediments took place 4,300 years ago when the sea level in the peninsula rose by 3-5 m above the present level.

Full text available from: Official URL: https://www.msss.com.my/mjss/Full%20Text/vol27/V27...

Abstract

Intermittent climate change episodes since the Late Pleistocene resulted in decreasing or increasing the earth’s temperature causing the global sea levels to drop or rise accordingly. These episodes had a remarkable impact on landscape and soils in the Malay Peninsula. The peninsula is characterised by the presence of steep highlands in the central region with the rest occupied by upland undulating terrains and flat alluvial areas. Major soils in the upland regions are formed from igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks ranging in age from Mesozoic to Paleozoic. Most soils developed from those rocks are classified as Ultisols or Oxisols. Both soil types are acidic in nature, having low basic cations insufficient to sustain crop production. Three levels of riverine terraces are scattered sporadically in the peninsula. The age of the sediments forming the highest terraces is 40,000 years, while the lowest terraces are found in the present flood plains. The fluvial characters of the terraces are preserved in the sediments that can be observed and studied. Marine deposits are located along the low-lying coastal plains. The alluvium is divided into clayey sediments found mainly in the West coast and the sandy ones in the East coast of the peninsula. The former contains pyrite at certain locations that produces acidity on oxidation, while the latter have very high sand content. The pyritization of the sediments took place 4,300 years ago when the sea level in the peninsula rose by 3-5 m above the present level.

[error in script]

Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	Acrisols
AGROVOC Term:	ferralsols
AGROVOC Term:	soil genesis
AGROVOC Term:	soil classification
AGROVOC Term:	pyrites
AGROVOC Term:	Alluvium
AGROVOC Term:	soil pH
Geographical Term:	Malaysia
Depositing User:	Mr. Khoirul Asrimi Md Nor
Date Deposited:	15 May 2025 02:26
Last Modified:	15 May 2025 02:26
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/2708

Actions (login required)

View Item