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Petrography, geochemistry, and tectonics of a rifted fragment of Mainland Asia: evidence from the Lasala Formation, Mindoro Island, Philippines

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Abstract

Petrological and geochemical investigations of the sedimentary Lasala formation in northwest Mindoro, Philippines, offer new insights into the origin of this geologically contentious region. Mindoro island’s position at the boundary between Sundaland and the Philippine Mobile Belt has led to variable suggestions as to how much of it is continent derived or not. The Eocene Lasala formation overlies the Jurassic Halcon metamorphics, a regionally metamorphosed suite generally thought to have formed as a result of arc-continent collision processes. The sedimentary formation consists mainly of sandstones and shales interbedded with mudstones, basalt flows, and subordinate limestones and conglomerates. Petrographic information on the Lasala clastic rocks demonstrates a uniform framework composition that is predominantly quartzose. Major oxide, trace element abundances, and various elemental ratios similarly impart a strongly felsic signature. These characteristics are taken to indicate a chiefly continental, passive margin derivation and deposition of the Lasala sediments during the Eocene. The weak indication of active margin influence is suggested to be an inherited signature, supported by paleogeographic models of the southeastern Asian margin area during the pre-Cenozoic.

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Acknowledgments

We acknowledge the financial support given by the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Council for Industry and Energy Research and Development (DOST–PCIERD) and the University of the Philippines–National Institute of Geological Sciences (UP–NIGS). Logistic and field support was extended by the provincial government of Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro. Special thanks to Prof. Mei–Fu Zhou of The University of Hongkong, Prof. Tsanyao Frank Yang of National Taiwan University, Dr. Allan Gil Fernando of UP-NIGS, and Mr. Raymond Ancog of MGB for the analysis of the samples. Productive discussions from members of the Rushurgent Working Group of the National Institute of Geological Sciences are acknowledged with thanks.

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  1. Rushurgent Working Group—Tectonics and Geodynamics Group, College of Science, National Institute of Geological Sciences, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines

    R. A. B. Concepcion, C. B. Dimalanta, G. P. Yumul Jr, D. V. Faustino-Eslava & R. A. Tamayo Jr

  2. Department of Science and Technology, Bicutan, Taguig City, Philippines

    G. P. Yumul Jr

  3. Mines and Geosciences Bureau—Central Office, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, North Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines

    K. L. Queaño

  4. Earth and Materials Science and Engineering Department, Mapua Institute of Technology, Intramuros, Manila, Philippines

    K. L. Queaño

  5. Department of Earth Resources Engineering, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan

    A. Imai

  6. Department of Earth Science and Technology, Akita University, Akita, Japan

    A. Imai

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Concepcion, R.A.B., Dimalanta, C.B., Yumul, G.P. et al. Petrography, geochemistry, and tectonics of a rifted fragment of Mainland Asia: evidence from the Lasala Formation, Mindoro Island, Philippines. Int J Earth Sci (Geol Rundsch) 101, 273–290 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-011-0643-5

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