Km 224-226.

5 GE 321A Group 5 Written Report

MINING, GEOLOGY, CERAMIC ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

ADAMSON UNIVERSITY
ERMITA, MANILA CITY
SY 2015-2016

Km 224-226.5
Kennon Road, Baguio
Structural Geology Report

By:

DALANAO, Abegail

ESPINO, Ralph Patrick

LOPEZ, Camille

ORTEGA, John Paul

TOLIBAS, Peter Ginio Nicolas P.

In partial fulfillment of the requirements

In Structural Geology (GE 321A)

May 17, 2016

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Km 224-226.5 GE 321A Group 5 Written Report

I. INTRODUCTION

Kennon Road was the first road constructed highway that connects Baguio and the lower
lands of Luzon, it is a highway that connects Rosario, La Union, and the highlands of CAR.
Kennon Road is built along the bank of Bued River at the sides of steep topography. The
highway is gently sloped from Rosario until the end of Camp 5 and gradually gets steeper along
the area of Lion's head. The construction exposed outcrops along the Kennon road which became
a regular destination for a geology fieldwork.

The team traversed downhill from kilometer 226.5 to 224 with a distance of 2.5 kilometers.
The tools used for traversing were Brunton compass, sample pick, and rock I.D. kit. The weather
was sunny and hot but is colder compared to the hotness of Manila.

The objectives of this fieldwork is to apply geologic principles to analyze the geology of
Kennon road and verify the stratigraphy of Baguio District based on the study of made by
Rolando E. Peña (MGB), "Baguio Revisited: Further Notes on the Stratigraphy of Baguio
District" ñ

II. LITERATURE REVIEW

A. TECTONIC SETTING
The Luzon Island is a volcanic arc surrounded by the eastward subducting South
China Sea and the northwestward subducting Philippine Sea plate.

The Central Cordillera in northern Luzon forms part of the Philippine Mobile Belt which
is bounded by two oppositely dipping subduction zones, the Manila-Negros Sulu-
Cotobato Trench to the west and the East Luzon Trough-Philippine Trench to the east.
marginal basins of the Eurasian Plate are subducting at the Western Trench System
(Rangin & Pubellier 1990; Ringenbach et al. 1993).

The Philippine Trench and the East Luzon Trough comprise the eastern trench
system, where the West Philippine Basin is subducting. Ozawa et al. (2004) suggest
southern propagation of subduction along the Philippine Trench from about 8 Ma, based
on the temporal and spatial distribution of volcanic rocks along the eastern Philippines.
Activity along the East Luzon Trough is thought to be young, given the shallow west-
dipping Benioff zone associated with this plate boundary (Bautista et al. 2001). The
presence of an eastward verging thrust zone observed in Taiwan (north of Luzon) also
suggests incipient convergence between the Benham Plateau (a large igneous province
within the West Philippine Basin) and Luzon along the East Luzon Trough
(e.g. Cardwell et al. 1980; Stephan et al. 1986; Rangin & Pubellier 1990). The left-lateral
Philippine Fault Zone accommodates the oblique convergence between the Philippine
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Km 224-226.5 GE 321A Group 5 Written Report

Sea and Eurasian plates bounding the Philippine Archipelago (Fitch 1972; Barrier et al.
1991; Aurelio 2000).

B. STRATIGRAPHY

Luzon lies between the two oppositely dipping subduction zones Manila Trench
and Philippine Trench which were responsible for the orogenic and tectonic development
of the Central Cordillera since Miocene. Lithology of the area consists of units from
cretaceous to Neogene where in the Pugo Metavolcanics is the upper most portion of an
oceanic lithospheric fragment (Yumul, et al. 2003). Lithologic units of these area which
are igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic units were formed from the interaction of
subduction zones, marginal basins and magmatic arcs (Dimalanta, 1996).

Km. 224-22.5 along camp 2 to camp 3 of kennon road includes Klondyke

Formation, Kennon Limestone and Zigzag Formation. Lithologic units along this area
consists of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic units which ages from late Oligocene
to late Miocene.

Zigzag Formation
The Zigzag Formation unconformably overlies the Pugo formation and
uncomformably overlain by Kennon Limestone. It consists of conglomerates, sandstones,
shales and minor limestones. The Zigzag Formation along the section of camp 3 to camp
4 has an estimated thickness of 1,700 m (Peña and Reyes, 1970). The Bued river was also
estimated to be as thick as 1,800 m by Tamesis and others (1982).

Fig. 1 Sandstone at. Zigzag Formation along Camp 3 Fig. 2.Limestone at Zigzag Formation along Camp 3
(Photo by P. Tolibas) (Photo by P.Tolibas)

The Zigzag Formation was previously designated as Zigzag series by Leith

(1938). The units in this section of the Zigzag Formation ages from late oligocene to
early Miocene.

Kennon Limestone
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Km 224-226.5 GE 321A Group 5 Written Report

The Kennon Limestone uncomformably overlies the Zigzag Formation along the Bued
River at Camp 3 and uncomformably overlain by klondyke formation at km. 225-226. It consists
of massive limestone with associated calcarenite and calcirudite and minor sandstone. This
formation ages from late early Miocene to early middle Miocene.

Kennon Limestone

Zigzag Formation

Fig. 3. Contact between zigzag Formation and Kennon Limestone

(Photo by P. Tolibas)

Durkee and Pederson (1961) separately named the limestone which grades into a bioherm-
mudstone complex with a thickness of 52 m, as Twin Peaks Formation which could be
considered a member of the Kennon Limestone. The base of the twin peaks formation grades
upward into a mudstone-graywacke sequence

Klondyke Formation

The Klondyke Formation consist of a thick sequence of coarse clastic rocks, polymictic
conglomerate, sandstones and minor shales and siltstones which was formerly named Klondyke
Conglomerate by Leith (1938). The clasts which consist of the conglomerate are volcanic rocks,
quartz diorite, and sedimentary rocks with sizes ranging from pebble to boulder.

The Klondyke Formation uncomformably overlies the Kennon limestone along km. 225
and overlain concordantly by the Mirador Limestone. This formation ages from late middle
Miocene to early late Miocene with thickness 2, 820 m at the type locality.

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Km 224-226.5 GE 321A Group 5 Written Report

Klondyke Fm

Kennon LS

Fig. 4. Contact between Klondyke Formation and Kennon Limestone along Kennon Road
(Photo by P. Tolibas)

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Km 224-226.5 GE 321A Group 5 Written Report

III. DATA PRESENTATION

The group surveyed Km 224-226.5 of Kennon Road, Baguio City with Km 226.5 as the
start and Km 224 as the end of the traverse.

While traveling downstream, different outcrops were observed. The lithology of each
outcrop and structures present in each one were especially taken note of.

Table 1 summarizes the observations made for each outcrop.

Outcrop Structure Strike and Dip

Lithology Other Observations
No. Present Readings

Outcrop:
1 Limestone - Weathered, thickly -
vegetated

Bedding:
N11⁰E, 27⁰NW
Quartz veins,
joints Daylight joints:
Outcrop:
(conjugate N75⁰E, 60⁰NW
2 Sandstone Rock fall area, thick
and daylight
vegetation, thick bedding
joints), Slickenlines:
slickenlines Attitude: N50⁰W,
75⁰SE
Pitch: 40⁰

Rocks:
3 Limestone - Fossils -
Variation in color

Quartz veins,
mafic
intrusion
(bake and
Clasts:
chill), angular
pebble to cobble, rounded
unconformity,
Conglomerat to angular, mafic
4 left lateral -
e
reverse fault,
Matrix:
left-lateral
Grayish
strike-slip
fault, vertical
bedding
planes

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Km 224-226.5 GE 321A Group 5 Written Report

Weathered,
5 Limestone - N40⁰W, 18⁰SW
Thickly bedded

S1:N90⁰E,N10⁰W
6 Limestone Joint surfaces Weathered S2: N10⁰E, 90⁰NW
S3: N60⁰E,22⁰NW

Uncomformable (eroded)

Limestone clasts: medium

to sand to granules, poorly
sorted, angular

Volcanic clasts:
Conglomerat pebble to cobble
7 N55⁰E, S25⁰W
e
Matrix: grayish

Just before the contact –

volcanic clast in the reefal
limestone is present
(indicates a change in
environment)
Thickly bedded
Conglomerat
8 - N70⁰E,S5⁰E
e Clast – rounded, pebble to
cobble, andesitic

The first outcrop was an exposed weathered limestone body about 1 meter in width and
1.5-2 meters in height.

Fig. 5. Limestone outcrop

The second outcrop was rockfall area with thick vegetation. The group had some
difficulty identifying the composition of rock lithology. A choice between sandstone and
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Km 224-226.5 GE 321A Group 5 Written Report

andesite was deliberated upon. At first, the group leaned toward andesite because no bedding
planes were found. It was only identified as sandstone after discovering some very thick bedding
planes while walking toward the next outcrop.
The rock outcrop was highly jointed. The types of joints found were conjugate and
daylight joints. Slickenlines and quartz veins were also observed.

Fig. 6. Daylight joints

Fig. 7. Conjugate joints Fig. 8. Slickenlines

The third outcrop was composed of limestone containing some fossils. Pinkish or cream-
colored limestone was also observed underneath some exposed riprap covering. This color
change may have been caused by impurities.
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Km 224-226.5 GE 321A Group 5 Written Report

Fig. 9. Source of pinkish limestone

Upon the suggestion of the instructor, the group went off the main road to the area near
the Aran cave. After passing a hanging bridge built across the Bued River, the group walked
several meters until the fourth outcrop which is just below another much smaller hanging bridge
was reached.
The lithology of the outcrop was conglomerate with pebble- to cobble-sized and rounded-
to angular- shaped clasts of mafic composition. Its matrix was grayish in color.
Several structures were present such as quartz veins, a mafic intrusion showing baked
zones and chilled margins, angular unconformity, vertical bedding planes, left-lateral reverse
fault, and left-lateral strike-slip fault.

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Km 224-226.5 GE 321A Group 5 Written Report

Chilled margins

Baked zones

Fig. 10. Baked zones and chilled margins

Fig. 11. Quartz vein

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Km 224-226.5 GE 321A Group 5 Written Report

Fig.12. Angular unconformity inferring vertical bedding planes

Fig.13. Left-lateral strike-slip fault Fig.14. Left-lateral reverse fault

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Km 224-226.5 GE 321A Group 5 Written Report

Returning to the main read, the fifth outcrop was a weathered and thickly-bedded
limestone oriented N40⁰W, 18⁰SW.

Fig.15. Bedded limestone (Outcrop 5)

The sixth outcrop was still of the same lithology, weathered limestone. Parallel joint
surfaces were also observed. The attitudes of the three surfaces were obtained.

Surface 1

Surface 2
Surface 3

Fig.16. Joint surfaces

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Km 224-226.5 GE 321A Group 5 Written Report

The seventh outcrop signifies the start of Klondyke Formation as shown in Fig. 4. An
uncomformable contact between the limestone from Kennon Formation and polymictic
conglomerate consisting of limestone clasts and volcanic clasts was found. The limestone clasts
were medium to sand to granules in size, poorly sorted, and angular in shape. The volcanic clasts
were pebble- to cobble- sized. The matrix was grayish.
Just before the contact, there is a presence of volcanic clast in the reefal limestone is
present which infers a change in environment.

Fig. 17.Reefal limestone

The eighth and last outcrop which extends until 224-km benchmark was still a part of the
Klondyke Formation, consisting of polymictic conglomerates.

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Km 224-226.5 GE 321A Group 5 Written Report

SAMPLES

This rock was identified as limestone which was found in the 1 st outcrop in 226 km of Kennon
road. It’s light brown and color and identified to be highly weathered.

Quartz
Veins

This rock was identified as sandstone as bedding planes are present in the 2 nd outcrop which
this was obtained from. It is dark gray in color and contain quartz veins.

This rock sample was also identified as limestone and was obtained in the 4 th outcrop and we
considered this as pinkish in color.

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Km 224-226.5 GE 321A Group 5 Written Report

A B

These rock samples were both obtained on the 5 th outcrop. The first sample (A) was a
result from bake and chill while second sample (B) was a part of veins that was part of
conglomerate rock body.

These rock samples were both obtained on the conglomerate rock body in the 7 th outcrop.
The sample “A” was identified as a volcanic clast while sample “B” was identified as limestone
clast.
Reefal
fossils

This rock sample was identified as limestone and was obtained in the 7 th outcrop. It
contain reefal fossil.
IV. INTERPRETATION

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Km 224-226.5 GE 321A Group 5 Written Report

The lithology and structures is plotted in the traverse map and cross-section below.
Sandstone, limestone, and conglomerate found in the area can be correlated by determining the
stratigraphy of the structures and evidences from the outcrops within the area.

Geologic Map of 224-226.5

Kennon Road, Baguio

LEGEND

LITHOLOGY

Sandstone
Limestone
Conglomerate

Geologic Map of 224-226.5

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 Km 224-226.5 GE 321A Group 5 Written Report

Kennon Road, Baguio

Vertical exaggeration: 1x
SW NE

LEGEND

LITHOLOGY

Elevation (m) Sandstone

Limestone
Conglomerate

V. CONCLUSION

With the evidences provided, we can conclude that the

kilometer 226.5-224 of the Kennon road was mainly made up
limestone which is part of the Kennon limestone. There is also
some conglomerate rocks which are part of the Klondyke formation and sandstones which are
part of the Zigzag formation founded in the area.
Relating the results found in this study to the other formations, it can be concluded that the
Baguio District has a very diverse geologic history. Sedimentary events and volcanic events
combine to form what it is now. It can be observed that researchers’ (group 5) area is where the
contact between Klondyke formation and Kennon limestone are very visible. The results
conform to the initial knowledge that the area is almost the same as what has Rolando E. Peña
stated in his study.

VI. REFERENCES

MGB (2010), Geology of the Philippines, Second Edition

Peña, R.E. (1998). Baguio revisited: further notes on the stratigraphy of Baguio District. J. Geol
Soc. Phil, LIII(3-4): pp 141-157.
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Km 224-226.5 GE 321A Group 5 Written Report

Queano,K., Ali,J.R., Milsom,J., Aitchison,J.C., and Pubellier,M. (2007). North Luzon and the
Philippine Sea Plate motion model: Insights following paleomagnetic, structural, and
age-dating investigations. Journal OF Geophysical Research, 112(B05101).
DOI:10.1029/2006JB004506.
Dimalanta,C.B., and Yumul,G. (2009). A geochemical approach on the provenance signatures
of
the Klondyke and Zigzag Formations and its implications on the oceanic to island-arc
setting evolution of the Baguio Mineral Districts, Philippines. NCRP Research Journal,
10(1): pp55-76.
Carla B. Dimalanta, C.B.,Yumul, G., Maglambayan, V., Marquez, E., (2008). Tectonic setting of
a composite terrane: A review of the Philippine island arc system. Geosciences Journal
Vol. 12, No. 1, p. 7 – 17 DOI 10.1007/s12303-008-0002-0

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