18th International Senckenberg Conference 2004 in Weimar
Neogene lithological formations and fossil remains
in the Majalengka Area (West Jawa, Indonesia)
YAN RIZAL
Department of Geology, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Jalan Ganesha 10, Bandung 40132,
Indonesia
ykewe@yahoo.com
In the Majalengka region, it is possible to
distinguish several lithological formations of dif-
ferent stratigraphical age, ranging from the Late
Miocene to the present. These are (from oldest to
youngest): the Subang Formation (clay stones),
the Kaliwangu Formation (sandstones and clay
stones), the Citalang Formation (sandstones
and conglomerates) and nally terrace deposits
and alluvium (Fig. 1). The area has previously
been mapped by DJURI (1973) and DJUHAENI &
MARTODJOJO (1998) at a scale of 1:100,000.
The depositional environment of the Subang
Formation is interpreted as being upper bathyal
to inner neritic (marine), based on the foramini-
feral record (DESYANA 1999; KURNIA 2002). The
sandstone and clay stone of the Kaliwangu For-
mation accumulated in littoral (marine) environ-
ments (DESYANA 1999; KURNIA 2002). The Citalang
Formation indicates a uvial regime (terrestrial),
which is also the case for the terrace and allu-
vial sediments.
At particular localities, the marine Kaliwangu
Formation contacts directly with a black clay
stone containing freshwater molluscs, such as
Bellemia/Paludina sp., Sulcospira tertudinaria,
Melanoides (Terebia) junghuhni, Melanoides
fennemai and Brotia oppenorthi (ZAIM 1999). The
freshwater mollusc beds, which are believed to
be Lower Pleistocene in age, are interpreted as
being swamp deposits and also contain the fos-
sil remains of plants and vertebrates (cervids,
proboscideans and crocodils) (DESYANA 1999;
ZAIM 1999). The clay stones of the Kaliwangu
Formation are overlain by the sandstones and
conglomerates of the Citalang Formation. At
other sites, the contact between the Kaliwangu
and Citalang Formations is similar to that just
described, but it lacks the black clay stone
and, therefore, their associated freshwater
mollusc and vertebrate fossils. However, bone
and tooth fragments have also been found in
the sandstones and conglomerates of the Cita-
lang Formation. According to their sedimentary
structure, the sandstone and conglomerate
layers were interpreted by uviatile deposits
produced by repeated transitions from braided
to meandering river systems. All of these older
formations were overlain by terrace deposits
and alluvium.
All of the formations mentioned have been
faulted and folded (DJURI 1973; NOER AZIS 1993)
and most of the layers dip between 40 and 75
degrees. As part of the current project, minera-
logical and sedimentological methods are
being used to reconstruct the original position
of these layers and to interpret the source of the
sediments, especially of the conglomerates of
the Citalang Formation.
18th International Senckenberg Conference 2004 in Weimar

Fig. 1
General stratigraphic units of Majalengka and its surrounding.

DESYANA, E. R. (1999): Geologi dan analisa Foraminifera Daerah Marongge dan Sekitarnya, Kabupaten
Majalengka, Jawa Barat. Dipl. thesis: 67 pp.; Institut Teknologi Bandung.
DJUHAENI & MARTODJOJO, S. (1998): Stratigrafi daerah Majalengka dan Hubungannya dengan Tata Nama
Satuan Litostratigra di Cekungan Bogor. In: Proceedings PIT IAGI XVII.: 227-252; Jakarta.
DJURI (1973): Peta Geologi Bersistem Pulau Jawa, lembat Arjawinangun, skala 1:100,000. Direktorat
Geologi Bandung, Bandung.
KURNIA, R. (2002): Geologi Daerah Karyalaksana dan Sekitarnya, Kecamatan Pembantu Cigasong,
 18th International Senckenberg Conference 2004 in Weimar

Kabupaten Majalengka, Jawa Barat. Dipl. thesis: 52 pp.: Institu Teknologi Bandung.
NOER AZIS, M. (1993): Penafsiran Lain terhadap system sesar Mangkubumi, kompleks malati, Kabupat-
en Majalengka. Bull. Geol. Jurusan Teknik Geologi, Inst. Teknologi Bandung, 23: 28-32; Bandung.
ZAIM, Y. (1999): Palaeoenvironment of vertebrate Fossils site at Cikamurang, NE-Sumedang, West
Jawa. Bull. Geol. Jurusan Teknik Geologi, Inst. Teknologi Bandung, 31: 85-91; Bandung.