IPA16-288-SG

PROCEEDINGS, INDONESIAN PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION

Fortieth Annual Convention & Exhibition, May 2016

3D STRIKE-SLIP FAULT MODEL IN KENDENG ZONE USING DATA COMBINATION OF

STRUCTURAL GEOLOGICAL MAPPING AND ANALOGUE SANDBOX MODELING: A CASE
STUDY OF THE KEDUNGJATI FAULT, GROBOGAN DISTRICT, CENTRAL JAVA PROVINCE

Ryando Perdana*
Muhamad Haikal*
Wahju Krisna Hidajat*
Fahrudin*

ABSTRACT shows sinistral strike-slip fault model that formed

Kedungjati, Grobogan District, Central Java
Province tectonic setting is dominated by the
structural pattern of thrust faults manifold imbricate
and folds. It is likely being influenced by
compressional tectonics in Kendeng Zone. This zone
was formed due the subduction of Eurasian Plate and
Indo-Australian Plate, with the movement of the
main stress direction trending N-S.
The purpose of this investigation is to understand the
historical movement of Kedungjati Fault by
conducting structural geological mapping in
Kedungjati Area through the appearance of minor
faults, joints and folds at 169 observation stations.
The investigation includes Adopted Analogue
Sandbox Modeling (ASM) method for more
convincing evidence to determine the actual
mechanism of Kedungjati faulting. The ASM is
using compressional setting with tectonic transport
trend is N-S and assisted by basement configuration.
The ASM model is successfully mimicked the
process of strike-slip faulting in accordance with the
field observations. It is described as a strike-slip fault
that regionally moves to the left and the thrust faults
formed during basement mobilization were also
recorded.
The ASM methods are performed with two trial
prototypes. The first prototype are using two
experiments with 1 by 4 layers plus basement model.
The second prototype are 2 experiments with model
2 by 3 layers plus basement.
Based on field data and laboratory analysis obtained
from geological map, shows thrust faults and folds
have W-E trend, and strike-slip faults and oblique
faulting have SSW-NNE trend. The evidence
indicates that the direction of main stress is North-
South. The laboratory data from ASM modeling
simultaneously with a thrust fault with gradual in the
direction of tectonic transport known as the leading
imbricate fan.
INTRODUCTION
Kendeng Zone is always interesting to discuss,
especially related to geological structure and
complex tectonism. The fold-thrust belt of Kendeng
Zone in East Java is an area of tectonic complexity.
Based on morphological tectonics (lithological and
structural patterns), the area of eastern Java
(including the province of Central Java and East
Java) can be divided into multiple geographical
zones, namely: Zone South Mountain, Zone Solo or
Solo Depression, Zona Kendeng, Randublatung
Depression, and Rembang Zone (Bemmelen, 1949).
Kendeng Zone includes the mountain range to the
east-west longitudinal direction situated directly to
the North Sub Zone Ngawi. This mountain is
composed of deep-sea sedimentary rocks that were
deformed and folded into anticlinorium. These
mountains have a length of 250 km and a maximum
width of 40 km (De Genevraye & Samuel, 1972). It
is extends from Ungaran Volcanoes in the west to the
east through of Ngawi up to Mojokerto area. Below
the surface, the continuation of this zone can be
traced offshore beneath the southern Madura Island.
Kendeng Zone has been of considerable interest to
earth scientists because there are still many unslove
geological settings that have not been solved. This is
due to several factors: the rate of weathering is very
high in Kendeng Zone and a layer of shallow
volcanics makes it difficult to image subsurface
structures. Fortunately in the Kedungjati Region,
also included in the zone, the Kendeng rock type and
geological structures are exposed in detail. Therfore,
it allow us to do structural geological mapping so that

* University of Diponegoro
the data is more representing the Kendeng Zone.
Additionally, this field data was tested in the
laboratory with the help of analog modeling for
comparison and adjustment of sandbox model in
accordance with the field observations. Merging the
two data sets produced a 3-dimensional model of the
structure including the mechanism of geological and
tectonic faulting especially in the Kedungjati Area.
REGIONAL GEOLOGY OF STUDY AREA
There are 169 observation stations in the region of
Kedungjati, Grobogan, Central Java Province, and
geologically belongs to the area of Kendeng Zone
area (Figure 1). The are three (3) different regional
areas observation, namely is Semarang District,
Boyolali District and Grobogan District, in the
Central Java Province. The border for those 3 regions
are:
a. North: Kedungbunder Village
b. South: Boto and Jlumpang Village
c. West: Prigi, and Gedad Village
d. East: Padas and Karanglangu Village
Stratigraphic rock units in the area is based on the
dominance of the presence of rocks in the mapping
area, and follow the Stratigraphy Code of Indonesia
(1996). The lithological unit is subdivided into six
lithologies (Figure 2). Sequentially from the
youngest to older age lithologies in mapping areas
are:
1. Unit of Alluvium Deposit (Qa).
2. Uni of Flow Breccia Lava (Qvu).
3. Unit of Clastic Limestone, Kapung Member of
Kalibeng Formation (Tmkk).
4. Marl Intercalation Sandstone Unit, Kalibeng
Formation (Tmpk).
5. Unit of Tuffaceous Sandstone Intercalation
Pebbly Sandstones, Banyak Member of
Kalibeng Formation (Tmkb).
6. Unit of Claystone Intercalation Sandstone,
Kerek Formation (Tmk)
METHODOLOGY
A. Survey Method
Survey method is a technique that is used to capture
data directly in the form of primary data collection,
secondary, or other. The measured data is needed to
determine the type of the geological structure as well
as confirm directional orientation the geological
structure. To this purpose, the data acquired from the
survey will be applied to laboratory analyzes.
B. Data Analysis Method
The method of analysis is the advanced stage of a
survey method that has been done before. The
method performed in this study are as follows:
a. Analysis of field data
b. Stereographic analysis, geological structure, and
pattern lineaments
c. Petrographic analysis and determination of the
age of microfossils
C. Modelling Methods
Modeling method was performed using software
Petrel 2008 to create the appearance of 3D
Kedungjati Fault, than assisted by other software
such as Map Information Professional 9.0, Global
Mapper 13, and Surfer 9 to get an overview pattern
of lineaments of a 3D DEM map overlayed with 2D
geological map to produce 3D geological map
(Figure 3). This study also uses sandbox modeling to
describe the reconstruction of the formation
mechanism of Kedungjati Fault in terms of style and
deformation as well as the resulting geometry.
Sandbox modeling was conducted in the laboratory
with two attempts on each model tested. The
experiment was carried out 2 times to test the
consistency of the tools, material and shape of the
resulting geometry. The first examined model is
using 4 layers and the second model is using 3 layers
with shortening on each model are the same from
0% to 30%.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The result of Kendeng Zone geology map shows the
distribution of lithology, fault and fold (Figure 4).
Thrust fault is mutually aligned to form the
appearance of stairs and the space between each
filled by structural folds. Therefore, the fault systems
are a coincident events related to the formation of
folds. Fault systems like this are called a thrust-fold
belt or fold-thrust belt (FTB) and the appearance can
be seen clearly on the incision geology A-B and C-D
(Figure 5).
Structural geology map is used as the framework to
create 3D model of Kedungjati. The fault
deformation is controlled by the compressional stress
factors (Figure 6). Further, the appearance of 3D
Kedungjati Fault also can be seen clearly using Petrel
2008 software with the help of input data including
geological maps to generate the appearance of phase
stages of the fault formation in the Kedungjati Area
(Figure 7).
In general, the faults in the Kedungjati Area are fold-
thrust belt on the compressional regime manifold
imbricate fault caused by compressional stress. Five
stages of formation phase faults occur in the
Kedungjati Study Area, Central Java Province.
A. The First phase
The first phase (Figure 7 a) is marked with the
deformation of thrust faults that cuts the study area
bearing east-west. This was preceded with the
occurrence of fault ride in the middle area of study
area, that led to claystone intercalation with
sandstones of Kerek Formation. It is adjacent to
younger lithologies, marl intercalations with
sandstones of Kalibeng Formation. This phase could
be connected with the direction of the main force
forming the faults bearing south-north, or
perpendicular to the direction of thrust faulting.
B. The Second phase
Second phase (Figure 7 b) is the formation of thrust
faults in the north study area that raise tuffaceous
sandstone intercalation pebbly sandstone of Banyak
Member of Kalibeng Formation. It is adjacent to the
younger lithologies, namely marl intercalation
sandstones of Kalibeng Formation. The research area
is cut again by two faults. The first oblique fault
diversify in the western part lifting claystone
intercalation sandstone of Kerek Formation next to
the younger formation namely marl intercalation
sandstone of Kalibeng Formation. The second strike-
slip fault in the middle shifted lithology trend to the
left (sinistral). It can be related to the interpretation
of the direction of sharpness or the direction of the
main force towards south-north, or forming an angle
of approximately 30o from strike-slip fault zone.
C. The Third phase
Third phase (Figure 7 c) is the thrust fault that is
formed by the influence of oblique fault earlier
reactivation. The fault deformation in this third phase
is east-west thrust fault that carvesthe older layers. In
this case the claystone intercalation sandstone of
Kerek Formation can be adjacent to the unit of
tuffaceous sandstone intercalation pebbly sandstone
of Kalibeng Formation. It can also be adjacent to the
marl intercalation sandstone of Kalibeng Formation
sandstone due to the thrust fault in this third phase.
The third phase was terminated by the formation of
sliding faults toward the left (sinistral) in the middle
of the study area. When it is viewed from the fault
direction, east-west trending, it’s the main sharpness
is also interpreted north-south trending.
D. The Fourth phase
The fourth phase (Figure 7 d) is the formation of
thrust faults that are geometrically smaller than the
faults in earlier phases. This is because the force
magnitude received by each blocks becoming
smaller than the previous. This fault system occurs in
claystone intercalation sandstone of Kerek
Formation, and the main stress direction is still
trending south-north.
E. The Fifth phase
The fifth phase (Figure 7 e) is the last tectonic phase.
This phase is characterized by the formation of
strike-slip fault that shifts the lithologic trends
headed to the right (dextral). Strike-slip fault that
occurred cut the earlier thrust fault system. Overall,
the fault occurs in the same lithology, which is
claystone intercalation of Kerek Formation.
The fault deformation phases could also be
determined through the depiction of the stratigraphy
reconstruction, which is started from the oldest to
deform the structure. This procedure is commonly
referred to as deformation method reconstruction
(Figure 8).
To model the field data into laboratory experiment,
iterative comparative data tests were conducted with
to get the three-dimensional modeling of faults that
are better typified in the study area (Figure 9). To
validate the data, the laboratory experiments are
created using four trials of analog sandbox modeling.
This modeling has a layer thickness of 2.84 cm and
40 cm widht, and scaled at 1: 500 (Figure 10 a). The
overall thickness represents the several layers
observed in the field (Table 1).
LABORATORY EXPERIMENTS
A. First experiment
The first experiment (Figure 10 c) gives 5 sections of
forethrust and 4 sections of back-thrust to the west
wall while producing 5 sections forethrust and 2
sections back-thrust to the east wall. Overall results
are the shortening of 2cm to 12cm or 5% to 30% of
length compare to the initial model. In this
experiment, it shows the appearance of irregular
morphology because the cement material cracked
due to the deformation (brittleness). It is present in
the destruction zone lines that still can be analyzed
as the fault movement zone (damage zone by fault).
This is because the cement material is more ductile
or more rigid compared to other materials such as
sand or clay powder. Therefore, on the first trial it
was difficult to determine the order of the fault
formation (thrust faults) based on the ridges formed.
However, the pattern of straightness and direction of
movement of the sliding fault (strike-slip fault)
causes a shift in the basement, that can be seen from
the appearance of morphology (red line).
B. Second Experiment
The second experiment (Figure 10 d) divides in 4
segments of forethrust and 2 segments of back-thrust
to the west wall while producing 6 sections of
forethrust and 3 sections of back-thrust to the east
wall. Overall results are the shortening of 2cm to
12cm or 5% to 30% of the length from the initial
model. This second experiment uses cement as the
topmost layer. Significant differences from the first
experiment can be seen from the morphological
appearance of the upper sections that are clearly
visible than when using a layer of cement. This is
because the sand material is more ductile than
cement. In this second trial, the formation of fault
sequence can be determined (sequence of thrusting)
based on their morphological appearance. The
alignment pattern and direction of movement of the
sliding fault (strike-slip fault) causes a shift in the
basement based on the morphology appereance
(Figure 10 b).
From the morphological appearance, it can be
recognize the shift between the left side of the fault
zone block by block passage leading to the right
relative to the left (sinistral) or commonly referred to
as a left-lateral strike slip fault. This shows the
basement movement beneath the layering which also
must moves relatively to the left. The horizontal
shear fault system itself can be explained from the
Moody and Hill (1952) theory, which reveals
relationships influencing basement movement
towards the formation of faults that exist in the layers
above the basement up to the surface. The fault can
be subdivided into several orders based on the
direction of the main style and geometry.
C. The third experiment
The third experiment (Figure 10 e) was carried out
exactly as in the first experiment and using similar
materials. The third trial results shows 3 sections of
forethrust and 3 segments of back-thrust to the west
wall, and produces 3 sections of forethrust and 2
blocks of back-thrust to the east wall. This results in
overall shortening of 2cm to 12cm or 5% to 30% of
the length of the initial modeling.
D. Fourth experiment
The fourth experiment (Figure 10 f) was carried out
exactly as in the second experiment and using similar
materials. This experiment shows 4 segments of
forethrust and 2 segments of back-thrust to the west
wall, and produce 4 pieces of forethrust and 1 block
of back-thrust to the east wall. The experiment
resulted in shortening of 2cm to 12cm or 5% to 30%
of the initial length model.
Thrust faults formed from each of the experiments
are the leading imbricate fan that is characterized by
the presence within the huge movement
(displacement) at the very front of the entire thrust
fault. Tectonic transport in this case from south to
north. The thrust faults formed closest to the source
of sharpness (the southern inner wall) formed earlier
than others, and away from the direction of sharpness
will be younger last to form faults. Moreover, the
thrust fault did not occur simultaneously, but it is
formed sequentially (sequence of thrusting). The
sequence are the initial forethrust followed by the
formation of other faults including back-thrusts.
Thus, in this study we can conclude that the
mechanism of Kedungjati Fault formed gradually
and sequentially (sequence of thrusting) from south
to north with the sharpness of the compressional
system according to existing regional tectonics. The
movement of the Indo-Australian plate, which is
moving northwards and crushing the mostly stable
Eurasian plate (motionless), is causing the formation
of the faults like those in the Kedungjati Area and
included in the type of fault characteristic of leading
imbricate fan. When it is viewed in more detail, the
Kedungjati Area is situated in the foreland zone
where in fact there are many fold-thrust belt systems.
Strike-slip fault system is also presence in the
mapping region, which is modeled in the sandbox
modeling. The strike slip fault model is compared
with stereonet fault analysis as a comparasion
between field data and laboratory data (Figure 11).
CONCLUSIONS
1. Kedungjati Area geological structure dominated
by thrust faults and strike-slip faults affected by
compressional stress (compressional tectonic
regime).
2. Kedungjati faults is classified as fault leading
imbricate fan with thrust fault tectonic transport
from south to north.
3. The faults in the Kedungjati Area are formed due
to North-South trending stress, which produces
flat sliding fault with tectonic transport trend and
thrust fault bearing east-west. It is influenced by
the Indo-Australian plate movement from south
to north that collides the stable Eurasian Plate in
the north.
4. Kedungjati Area is located in the foreland zone
that have many fold-thrust belt throughout the
zone.
5. Based on the sandbox modeling experiment the
thrust faults formed closest to the source of main
stress (southern part of the wall) are the oldest
fault. It is more established faults in advance than
others. Faults that is farther away from the
direction of sharpness is the youngest and last
formed fault.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors wish to thank all those who have helped
in the study, especially to the lecturer and staff of
Geological Engineering Department, University of
Diponegoro (UNDIP) who have given support
borrowing tools and materials for modeling analog
sandbox Geodinamic Laboratory and provided
guidance for the testing. Special thanks to the
reviewer and IPA Committee for organizing this
exceptional event.
REFERENCES
Analysis to Deteremine the Development of Thrust
Fault Structure. Semarang: Final Project of
Geological Engineering Department University of
Diponegoro, UNDIP internal report.
Billings M,P., 1960. The Structural Geology. Second
edition. Tokyo: Charles E. Tuttle company.
De Genevraye, P., and Samuel, L. 1972. Geology of
the Kendeng Zone (Central and East Java. Proc 1st
Ann. Conv. IPA.
Effendi, Hengky P. 2015. Analogue Sandbox
Modeling to Determine Development of Thrust Fault
Stucture Resulting From Brittle Deformation in
Kendeng Zone, Sragen District and Surrounding
Area, Central Java. Semarang: Final Project of
Geological Engineering Department University of
Diponegoro, UNDIP internal report.
Eisenstadt G., Vendeville B.C. Withjack M.O. 1995.
Introduction to Experimental Modeling of Tectonic
Processes. GSA Annual Meeting. New Orleans:
USA.
Fossen, H. 2010. Structural Geology. Cambridge
University Press: New York
Hamilton, W. 1979. Tectonics of the Indonesian
Region. United States Geological Survey
Professional Paper, p. 1078.
Moody, J. D., and Hill M. J. 1956. Wrench-Fault
Tectonics: Geol. Soc. Am., Bull., v. 67, p. 1207-
1246.
Sapiie B., Handoyo. 2000. Analogue Sandbox
Modeling for Contractional Deformation. FIKTM
ITB internal report.
Sukardi and Budhitrisna T. 1992. Geological Map of
Salatiga Sheet, Java. Scale 1:100.000. Geological
Research and Development Center: Bandung.
Van Bemmelen, R.W. 1949. The Geology of
Indonesia. v. IA. The Hague. Gov. Printing Office.
Martinus Nijhoff. 732p. Amsterdam.
 TABLE 1

COMPARISON OF LAYER AND THICKNESS IN THE FIELD AND SANDBOX

The Layer in Thickness in

No. The Layer Name in The Field True Thickness
Sandbox Sandbox
Clastic limestone Kapung member of
1. Cement 150 meter 0,54 cm
Kalibeng Formation (Tmkk)
Marl intercalation sandstone Kalibeng
2. Green sand 500 meter 1 cm
Formation (Tmpk)
Tuffaceous sandstone intercalation
3. pebbly sandstone banyak member of Red sand 500 meter 1 cm
Kalibeng Formation (Tmkb)
Claystone intercalation sandstone Kerek
4. Clay powder 270 meter 0,54 cm
Formation (Tmk)
5. Basement (as a tool movement of layer) Wooden board ? 1 cm
Figure 1 - (a) Index Map of research and mapping area; (b) Tracking map of structural geological mapping in Kedungjati area.
 (a
)

Figure 2 - (a) Regional stratigraphy column of Kedungjati Area (without scale); (b) Stratigraphy measure
section of Kerek Formation; (c) Outcrop photograph and sketch
Figure 3 - Lineament pattern on a 2D DEM map (Top) and Overlay 3D DEM map with 2D geological map generate 3D geological map (Bottom)
Figure 4 - Geological Map of Kedungjati, Grobogan District
Figure 5 - Exaggeration of three dimension cross section of Kedungjati area bearing from A to B, and C to D
Figure 6 - Simple three dimensional diagram depicting mechanism of Kedungjati fault.
Figure 7 - Three dimension (3D) fault analysis from software Petrel 2008, (a) Fault stage 1; (b) Fault stage 2; (c) Fault stage 3; (d) Fault stage 4; (e) Fault stage 5
Figure 8 - Illustration of fault deformation reconstruction based on tectonostratigraphy
 N S

N S

S N

N S

N S

S N

Figure 9 - Summary of all experimental models in analogue sandbox modeling. This model used wooden
board as a tool for mobility aids on the layers and also for the basement configuration to determine
mechanism process of strike-slip faulting in Kedungjati Area.
Figure 10 - Experimental of analogue sandbox modeling, (a) Simple models of the sandbox; (b) Movement
Appearance of left-lateral strike-slip fault; (c) First Experiment (model 1); (d) Second experiment
(model 2); (e) Third experiment (model 1); (f) Fourth experiment (model 2).
Figure 11 - Stereonet fault analysis from field mapping that is used for correlation laboratory data (sandbox),
(a) Location of observation station 19 (STA 19), mark with red box, and stereonet analysis to
understand about fault stress direction in STA 19; (b) Location STA 91 and zoom in from satellite
imagery (mark with red box) that shows appearance of major strike-slip fault and anticlinal plunge
(yellow circle), and stereonet analysis to understand about fault stress direction in STA 91; (c)
Analogy stereonet fault analysis STA 19 in sandbox experiment.