Tectonic control on the development of the Neogene basins in Sabah, East Malaysia

Two main structural trends, namely NE-SW and NW -SE are thought to have controlled the development, distribution and shape of the Neogene basins in Sabah. These two trends are thought to be related to earlier deformations on pre-Neogene rocks. Earlier NW-SE and N-S compressions during the early Miocene associated with the opening of the South China Sea produced elongate basins trending NE-SW in western and southeastern Sabah, and NW -SE in northeastern and central Sabah. A later NE SW extension during the middle Miocene associated with the opening of the Sulu Sea producing horst and graben structures modified the earlier formed basins in eastern and central Sabah to produce the nearly circular-shaped Neogene basins.