Journal of Geology & Geophysics
Open Access

Modern sediments and sedimentary processes at the Baram river mouth, Sarawak, Malaysia

International Conference on Geology

June 22-23, 2015 Florida, USA

Sandeep N Kundu and Grahame J H Oliver

Posters-Accepted Abstracts: J Geol Geosci

Abstract :

The Baram Delta is located in the northern part of Sarawak and extends into south western part of Sabah through Brunei extending over an area of approximately 300 sq km. The proto delta formed during the Middle-late Miocene and has since been prograding onto the marine continental shelf. During the last 5,400 years, it has been depositing sediments in the form of clays, sands, gravels and peat rich alluvium at an enormous rate of 10 meters per year. The currently active delta front is represented by the Baram River and is largely influenced by coastal processes dominated by waves arriving from the North and North-East forcing the marine extension of the channel to drift in a West to South-Westerly direction. Seasonal variation in long shore drift direction is largely responsible for the symmetrical shape of the delta around its major distributary. Of the fluvially derived sediments, sand is deposited on the offshore bars whereas finer silt and mud is spread further out on the shelf. Of special interest are the anthropogenic influences on the depositional environment: the high tide mark is dominated by sawn log, branch and leaf debris that has �??escaped�?� during forest clearing for oil palm plantations. The article discusses the coastal processes influencing the sediment transport and depositional processes at the Baram River mouth vis-à-vis the sedimentological analysis of the sequences in Miri Formation. The methodology of the study is based on analysis of satellite imageries, field observations of the adjoining Miri formation and the coastal processes around the western flank of the present delta lobe.