A Deep Marine Origin for the Tajau Sandstone Member of the Kudat Formation, Kudat Peninsula, Sabah: Evidence from Facies Analysis and Ichnology

There have been many disagreements regarding the depositional environment of Oligocene Tajau Sandstone Member Kudat Formation, Northern Sabah. We present here, first detailed sedimentary facies analysis for Member, exposed on Peninsula. The identified are interpreted as deposits subaqueous sediment density flows, which common processes in deep marine settings. These include debrites, hyperconcentrated flow deposits, and turbidites. Several turbidite display evidence hydraulic jumps, also deepwater settings probably indicate changes slope topography or loss confinement. Trace fossils characteristic Nereites ichnofacies diagnostic a environment. Facies previously by previous workers hummocky cross-stratification was used to support shallow interpretation, is better supercritical antidunes developed high turbidites, based coarse-grained texture, spaced layering association with other subaqeuoues deposits.