DETAILED GEOLOGY OF MANLIPAK CREEK, SITIO CANTOLINGI,

BARANGAY MANLIPAK, BAIS CITY, NEGROS ORIENTAL,

PHILIPPINES

A Field Report Submitted to

Geologist Jerry G. Gatinao, Jr.
As one of the Requirements for Geol 222
(Field Geology)

Nuňez, Mary Anne

Obnimaga, Kenneth
Obnimaga, Kris Marie
Oliva, Emma Joy
Ontolan, Kleine Jun B.
Oralde, Arnel Angelo F.
Orbigoso, El Art
Panday, Sophia Miralee
Pinili, Aries John
Punay, Jossel B.
Quinamot, Jirah Kim R.
Quipte, Joener
Rubas, Dan Anthony C.
Ruelo, Rio Jasper B.
San Juan, Angelene
Soberano, Omar B.
Suminguit, Bless
Tantog, Jonah C.
Timoguing, Johnrey
Velasco, Carl Adrian C.
Villegas, Vincent Ann V.

Physics and Geology Department

College of Arts and Sciences
Negros Oriental State University Main Campus I
March 31, 2014
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 Abstract 1
2.0 Introduction 1
2.1 Purpose of the Report 1
2.2 Overview of Area Geology 1
2.3 Location and Accessibility 1
2.4 Environment 2
2.5 Scope and Limitations 2
3.0 Regional Geology 2
4.0 Stratigraphy 9
5.0 Local Geology 12
5.1 Sediments, Sedimentary Rocks, Mineral and Outcrop 12
5.2 Fossils 22
5.3 Fault 24
6.0 Acknowledgment 24
7.0 References 25
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure Description Page No.
No.
1 Topographic Map 3
2 Manlipak Creek 4
3 Ancient Negros Arc 6
4 Recent Negros Arc 6
5 Visayan Sea Basin 7
6 Stratigraphic Columns of Negros Island 8
7 Bedded Sedimentary 9
8 Stratum of Mudstone and Conglomerate 10
9 Superimposed Sediments 11
10 Sandstone 11
11 Outcrop 12
12 Colluvium 13
13 Alluvium 13
14 Medium – very fine sand 14
15 Course sand 14
16 Pebbles 15
17 Cobble 15
18 Conglomerate 16
19 Conglomerate 16
20 Mudstone 17
21 Calcite 17
22 Bedded Conglomerate 18
23 Sandstone 18
24 Mudstone 19
25 Oxidized Mudstone 19
26 Sandstone with Mudstone 20
27 Bedded Sedimentary Rocks 20
28 Weathered Andesite 21
29 Waterfall 21
30 Waterfall 22
31 Fossilized leaf 22
32 Fossilized pectin 23
33 Fossilized pectin 23
34 Dip-Slip Thrust Fault 24
 1.0 ABSTRACT

Manlipak Creek, located in Sitio Cantolingi, Brgy. Manlipak, Bais City, Philippines is a
sedimentary environment located in areas where the Talave, Caliling and Macasilao formations
stretch. The dominant rock types are: mudstones, shales, conglomerates, sandstones and
limestones. Interbedding of strata was observed. Sediments range from mud to cobble.
Colluvium and alluvial deposits were poorly sorted. Fossils of leaves were found as well as
pecten, a bivalve shell that thrives from Eocene to Recent. A dip-slip thrust fault was found.

2.0 INTRODUCTION

2.1 Purpose of the Report

This geologic report was made by the students in Field Geology in order to put into writing the
detailed geology of Manlipak Creek. This is to give readers ideas on the regional geology of the
area, its stratigraphy, the types of rocks, and minerals found. This report may be used by
researchers as reference for their studies.

2.2 Overview of Area Geology

Manlipak Creek is located in Sitio Cantolingi, Barangay Manlipak, Bais City, Negros Oriental
province. The area is located on a mountainous area of East Central Negros. Elevation of the
area rages from 280-320 meters above sea level. Common rock types are sedimentary rocks that
include: limestones, shale, mudstone, sandstone, mudstone and conglomerate. Basalts are rare in
the area.

The area of the creek that was observed is shallow, with deepest points found about 3 feet.
Poorly sorted alluvial deposits are found in the creek bed. Also, poorly sorted colluvium deposits
are found at the slopes adjacent the creek side. Clastic (detrital) sedimentary rocks dominate the
area, which are: sandstone, mudstone, limestone, conglomerates and a few weathered andesites
with pyrite. Sediments, from mud to boulder size sometimes concentrate in one area. Calcite is
also found. A few dolomites were found. More so, silicified and cherty mudstones were seen.

Outcrops of varied rock types were seen. They were: silicified mudstone, mudstone, sandstone to
conglomerate, conglomerate, and calcareous sandstone. Dip angles range from 24̊-36̊. A fault
was spotted while traversing in the area. Pecten fossil and fossilized leaf was found in the area.
The fossils were embedded on limestone rocks.

2.3 Location and Accessibility

From Dumaguete City, the provincial capital, the area is reachable by bus or jeepney. The travel
time is about two hours from the city. The distance with the capital as the reference is 60 km.
The road used to reach the area is the Bais-Mabinay-Kabankalan road. In order to reach the
creek, one needs to walk downward through a sloppy area, about 60 m from the highway.

2.4 Environment

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The area is a rural community with very small population. Houses are rare as people are. It is
advisable to bring water and food when conducting a field work in this area. The climate is
described as tropical with temperatures ranging from 24̊ to 31 ̊ C; precipitation ranges from 50
mm in April to 150 mm in June (World Weather Online, 2014).

2.5 Scope and Limitations

In order to monitor the progress of the students in the field, open traverse method was used.
There were three groups who alternately measured 50 m. In each traverse, geologic features were
noted, and outcrops and floats were determined, described and named by the group assigned.
Strike, dip, and dip direction were determined when applicable. Sorting and grading of sediments
were observed. The types of sediments were identified. Points were plotted right after
prerequisite data were recorded. The three groups finished 1,050 m in all; each measured 350 m.

3.0 REGIONAL GEOLOGY

The area studied is located in Negros Island, formed about 40-23 mya as a result of the
subduction of Sulu plate to the Negros plate (Ruelo, 2012). The Negros Island may be divided
into three tectono-stratigraphic terranes, namely Recent Negros Arc, Ancient Negros Arc and
Visayan Sea Basin. Recent Negros Arc occupies only the eastern and western fringes. The
portion of the Visyan Sea Basin occupies the central portion that constitutes the Ancient Negros
Arc (Aurelio and Peňa, 2004).

The formations found in Negros are as follows: Basak, Isio Limestone, Pangatban Diorite,
Escalante, Malabago, Macasilao, Talave, Magsinulo Andesite, Amlan Conglomerate, Caliling
and Canlaon Volcanic Complex (Aurelio and Peňa, 2004).

Basak Formation was formerly designated as Basak Volcanics in reference to the rocks of south
Basak, Cauayan, Negros Occidental. This formation consists of massive chloritized volcanic
flows and pyroclastic rocks of andesitic fows and fragmental pyroclastic rocks of andesitic and
basaltic composition with intercalated tuffs and thin beds of conglomerate, sandstone, siltstone
and shale. Basak is intruded by Pangatban Diorite. It is includes the Ilog Formation consisting of
sandstone, shale and quartzite. The age of the Basak Formation is probably Cretaceous (Aurelio
and Peňa, 2004).

Isio limestone was named by Vallesteros and Balce for the limestone at Isio River, Cauayan,
Negros Occidental. The color of the formation is buff yellow to browb, well-bedded, silty and
fossiliferrous. The unit lies unconformably over the Basak Formation. The formation is dis dated
Late Eocene (Peňa, 2008).

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Figure 1. A 1: 50,000 scale map of
Bais City Sugar Central. Magnified is
the area studied. (DENR, n.d.)

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 Figure 2. The Manlipak Creek

The Pangatban Diorite was formerly named Pangatban Intrusive for the extensive exposures of
diorite along the length of Pangatban River. The Diorite constitutes a batholitic mass stretching
northwest-southeast for some 62 km from Panay Gulf to Talong Bay in southwestern Negros. It
consists mainly of diorite with textures that vary from medium grained to coarse grained,
hydiomorphic granular to porphyritic (Aurelio and Peňa, 2004).

The Escalante Formation was named such for the rocks exposed in the vicinity of Barrio
Libertad, Escalante in northeastern Negros Occidental. It is well exposed around Trankalan
Range. Escalante may be divided into the lower Paitan Member and upper Trankalan Limestone
member. The Paitan Member is made up of alternation of sandstone, siltstone, mudstone and
marl. White to cream dense micritic limestone occurs in the middle. Intercalations of turbiditic
layers and limestone breccias that reach a thickness of 500 m are seen. The Trankalan Limestone
is pinkish, cream to white, generally thick bedded, partly brecciated, with fragments of head and
branching corals, algae and locally with abundant orbitoids. Patch reefs are also locally
developed. Tankalan is the time equivalent of the lower part of the clastic Escalante Formation
(Peňa, 2008).

The Malabago Formation is named such in reference to the clastic sequence at Malabago, San
Carlos, Negros Occidental. The Malabago consists of tuffaceous conglomerates, sandstones,
siltstones and mudstones well as pillow lavas, volcaninc breccias, and tuffs. Thin layers of marls
and marly limestone are also present. The formation is about 500 m thick (Aurelio and Peňa,
2004).

The Macasilao Formation is located in barrio Macasilao, 10 km southwest of Toboso, Negros

Occidental. It is described as a thick sequence of sandstone and shale containing lenticular beds
of conglomerate, coal and limestone. The Ania Conglomerate and Paghayuman Shale constitute

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the lower portion of the Macasilao conglomerate and shale of Corby and others (1951) (Peňa,
2008).

The Magsinulo Andesite was previously named as Magsinulo Andesite Flow Breccia for the
exposures in southeastern Negros. This formation consists of andesite flow breccia and blocky
andesite flows. The breccia shows angular clasts of hornblende andesite in a yellowish vitric
matrix with phenocrysts of feldspars and ferromagnesian minerals. The age of this formation is
Early-Late Pliocene (Aurelio and Peňa, 2004).

The Amlan Conglomerate was given such name for the conglomerate at Amlan River. It is also
well exposed along the channels of Cambuelo, Palaypay, Badjang and Bicos rivers in
southeastern Negros. The Amlan consists mainly of conglomerate with minor sandstones,
mudstones, andesitic flows and pyroclastic rocks, including tuffs. The Amlan unconformably
overlies the Magsinulo andesite and is in turn overlain by the Balinsasayao Formation (Ayson,
1987). The clasts of the conglomerate are principally hornblende andesite and subordinate
pyritized and silicified rocks. The Conglomerate is well bedded and exhibits local cross-bedding.
It was probably deposited during Late Pliocene (Peňa, 2008).

Talave Formation was previously named as Talave Limestone and Conglomerate in reference to
the exposures along Talave River. It’s equivalent to the conglomerate portion of the Talave
Limestone and Conglomerate. Caguiat (Talave Formation is divided it into three members that
are: Talave Limestone, middle Tigbao Clastics and upper Bairan Agglomerate. The formation is
divided into a clastic member and a limestone member. The clastic member consists of thin
bedded tuffaceous mudstone interbedded with conglomerate and thin-bedded, gray, sandy,
limestone talave is widely exposed in East Central Negros and south-central Negros (Aurelio and
Peňa, 2004).

Caliling Formation was previously named Caliling Limestone for the limestone along Caliling
River, east of Sojoton Point in southwestern Negros Occidental. The limestone is massive to thin
bedded, coralline, white to pink to yellowish, dense to conglomeratic, locally friable, marly and
argillaceous. In places it contains pelecypods, gastropods, coral heads and coral fingers. It is also
widely exposed at Mabinay, Negros Oriental where it extends more than 25 km with a maximum
width of 15 km. The Caliling unconformably overlaps the older Neogene formations. The
formation is subdivided into two members: a lower limestone member and upper clastic member
named Mahaba Sandstone. The upper Mahaba Sandstone consists of a succession of grit to
pebbly sandstone with coral fragments and mollusks. The Mahaba Sandstone apparently
represents the back-reef zone of the reef build-up (Peňa, 2008).

The Canlaon Volcanic Complex. Canlaon Volcano, together with other volcanoes in Negros,
form part of the Negros volcanic arc associated with the eastward subduction of the Sulu Basin
along the Negros Trench. Other volcanoes associated with the Negros volcanic arc are Mt.
Mandalagan and Mt. Silay, also in northern Negros and Cuernos de Negros in southern Negros.
The Balinsasayao Formation apparently corresponds to the Pleistocene eruptive products of
Cuernos de Negros. The pile of andesite flows and pyroclastic rocks comprising the
Balinsasayao are estimated to total at least 950 m thick (Peňa, 2008).

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 Figure 3. Ancient Negros Arc
Source: (Peňa, 2008)

Figure 4. Recent Negros Arc

Source: (Peňa, 2008)

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 Figure 5. Visayan Sea Basin
Source: (Peňa, 2008)

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 Figure 6. Stratigraphic Columns of Negros Island
(Source: Peňa, 2008)

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 4.0 STRATIGRAPHY
Mudstones, limestones, shales, conglomerates, and sandstones are found in the area. Bedded
mudstones were observed, as well as shales. More so, andesites had been spotted; however, it
was observed to have an argillic alteration; it had a very small amount of pyrite with it. Calcite
was found in the area. There were large amounts of calcite in the area.

The area is a sedimentary environment with the aforementioned rock types present. Based on
Peňa’s (2008) and Aurelio and Peňa’s (2004) writings, the area is located near the areas where
the Talave, Macasilao and Caliling Formations are found. The rocks in the area correspond to
what the two authors said what can be seen there.

Various outcrops were seen. They were: silicified mudstone, sandstone-conglomerate, calcareous
limestone, sandstone, and mudstone.

The pictures below show strata of the area.

Figure 7. Bedded sedimentary rocks tilted at dip equal to 24̊ in the northeast direction; with the
strike of 80̊ NW. Conglomerate, sandstone and mudstone make up this bed.

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 Figure 8. A stratum of mudstone overlying a stratum of conglomerate. Strike is 74̊ Northeast.
Dip is 49̊ NW.

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 Figure 9. Layers of sediments superimposed with one another. Lowest layer is sandstone (not
seen in this picture), second is mudstone, third, shale, conglomerate is topmost. Strike is 45̊NW,
dip is 15̊NE.

Figure 10. Sandstone outcrop with strike of 45̊ NW and dip 27̊ in NE direction

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 Figure 11. An outcrop consisting of sandstone as lowest layer (not seen in the picture), it is overlain by
mudstone then shale. The topmost layer is conglomerate (not seen in the picture). Strike direction is 45̊
NW, dip is 15̊ NE.

5.0 LOCAL GEOLOGY

The local geology of the area as observed in the area is written in this portion. This section is
subdivided into: sediments, sedimentary rocks, minerals and outcrops; other water forms near the
creek, fossils and fault.

5.1 Sediments, Sedimentary Rocks, Mineral and Outcrops

Sediments in the area were classified according to the classification of Wentworth written in the
Appendix V of Barnes and Lisle (2004). Colluvium and alluvium deposits found range from
minute particles of mud to the coarsest and heavy boulders; hence, very poorly sorted.

The pictures that follow are the sediments, sedimentary rocks, minerals and outcrops seen in the
area.
.

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 Figure 12. Very poorly sorted colluvium

Figure 13. Very poorly sorted alluvium

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 Figure 14. Sediment from creek bed: Medium-very fine sand (Grain size: 0.063 mm-0.5 mm)

Figure 15: Sediment from creek bed: coarse sand (Grain size: 0.5-1 mm)

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 Figure 16: Sediment from creek bed: pebbles (Grain size: 4-64 mm)

Figure 17. Cobble-sized mudstones located at the side of the creek

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 ;
Figure 18. Conglomerate float, 1.1 m across;
Color is reddish brown to gray; rough surface; moderately weathered

Figure 19. Another conglomerate float, 0.9 m across

Clasts are: sand to boulders; highly oxidized; color: dark orange-brown

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 Figure 20. Moderately oxidized reddish brown-brown mudstone float, 1.3 m across

Figure 21. Calcite found as float

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 Figure 22. Bedded Conglomerate Outcrop

Figure 23. Sandstone outcrop, 1.1 m across

Color: gray-dark gray, slightly oxidized

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 Figure 24. A mudstone outcrop, 1.3 m across
Description: moderately oxidized, iron-oxide mineral, mix hardness, brownish red

Figure 25. Moderately oxidized mudstone float, 0.4 m across

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 Figure 26. Slightly weathered boulder-sized sandstone with mudstone, 1.5 m across

Figure 27. Bedded sedimentary rocks. The bed consists of conglomerate, sandstone and
mudstone.

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 Figure 28. Weathered andesite.

5.2 Other water forms near the creek

Figure 29. A waterfall seen near the creek. This is one of the two waterfalls near the area of
studied.

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 Figure 30. This is another waterfall near the creek.

5.2 Fossils

Two fossils were seen in the area. First is the fossilized leaf. Second, is a shell fossil called
pecten which is a bivalve that thrived from Eocene to Recent
(http://www.bgs.ac.uk/discoveringGeology/time/Fossilfocus/bivalve.html). Both were embedded
in limestone.

Figure 31. Fossilized leaf embedded in limestone

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 Figure 32. Fossilized pecten embedded in limestone

Figure 33. Another fossilized pecten embedded in limestone

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 5.3 Fault

A fault was spotted in the area. The fault follows the strike of 86̊ NE with a dip of 29 ̊ SE. The
fault cuts through a sandstone outcrop. The fault was observed to be a dip-slip thrust fault.

Figure 34. In this picture is the described dip-slip thrust fault. As observed, the left side (hanging
wall) moves down while the right side (foot wall) is stationary.

6.0 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The reporters would like to express their heart-felt gratitude to the following:
 The Lord God Almighty, the source of wisdom and strength, who made it possible for
them to make a detailed geological report;
 Negros Oriental State University-College of Arts and Sciences BS Geology instructors
Geol. Jerry G. Gatinao, Jr. and Geol. Hernulfo B. Ruelo for guiding the students in the
procedures of the report, as well as giving them the knowledge of the field methods and
techniques required to make the report;
 Instructor Russel Tucker who made sure that the students had equipment to be used in the
field;
 and to the reporters’ families who gave them moral and financial support.

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 7.0 REFERENCES

Aurelio, Mauro A. and Peňa, Rolando E eds. Geology of the Philippines. 2004.

National Mapping and Resource Information Authority. Bais Sugar Central. n.d.

Barnes, John W. and Lisle, Richard J. Basic Geological Mapping. 2004: West Sussex, England.
John Willey and Sons Ltd.

http://www.bgs.ac.uk/discoveringGeology/time/Fossilfocus/bivalve.html

http://www.worldweatheronline.com/Bais-City-weather-averages/Negros-Oriental/PH.aspx

Ruelo, Hernulfo B. Mitigating Risks and Geohazards. 2012: Dumaguete City.

Peňa, Rolando E. Lexicon of Philippine Stratigraphy. 2008. Mandaluyong City:

The Geological Society of the Philippines.

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