Mesozoic geology and paleontology of Misool Archipelago Eastern Indonesia

Studying Misool Archipelago, which lies in the eastern patt of Indonesia, is very intetesting because it has unique geology, especially in the Mesozoic time. The Mesozoic tocks ate exposed mostly on the southern half of Misool and adjacent islets, eastern Indonesia. They include Triassic (Anisian to Norian), Jurassic (Toarcian to Tithonian), and Cretaceous strata. Most of the age determinations are based on ammonoids although they are not found in all sections. From the ammonite fauna, the Misool Jurassic is also correlated with those of the European Alps, North America, Chile, Argentina, New Zealand, Northwestern Australia, north and south of Tibet, Himalaya, etc. Correlation with the European Cretaceous and other parts of the world is probably potentially very promising using microfossils. However, based on common inoceramids in the Middle Campanian, Misool Archipelago is paleogeographically in the Triassic occupied the southeastern margin of the Tethys Sea as indicated by common species Palaeocardita trapezoidalis etc.The delay of this study has led to the lack of detailed information about the Mesozoic tocks of Misool Archipelago is that they have long been regarded as generally lacking in economic prospects. Recently, plate tectonic concepts applied to Indonesia have helped our understanding the geology of the area. It is hoped that this study will provide additional information and understanding. This information are useful for the hydrocarbon exploration in the Pretertiary tocks of Indonesia and surrounding areas at least in South East Asia. This study has already shown that the biostratigraphy of the archipelago can be applied to the regional area which are originated from Gondwana or Tethyan realm