Saad, J Geol Geophys 2017, 6:1 DOI: 10.4172/2381-8719.1000268 Open Access Research Aticle J o u r n a l o f G e o l o g y & G e o p h y s i c s ISSN: 2381-8719 Journal of Geology & Geophysics Volume 6 • Issue 1 • 1000268 J Geol Geophys, an open access journal ISSN: 2381-8719 *Corresponding author: Saad R, Geophysics Section, School of Physics, 11800 Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia, Tel: +60194560650; +6046533675; E-mail: rosli28260@gmail.com Received September 14, 2016; Accepted October 13, 2016; Published October 19, 2016 Citation: Saad R, Muztaza MN, Zakaria MT, Saidin MM (2017) Application of 2D Resistivity Imaging and Seismic Refraction Tomography to Identify Sungai Batu Sediment Depositional Origin. J Geol Geophys 6: 268. doi: 10.4172/2381- 8719.1000268 Copyright: © 2017 Saad R, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Keywords: 2D resistivity imaging, seismic refraction tomography, sediments deposit Introduction Sungai Batu was located in Sungai Merbok district, which is situated between Sungai Petani and Gunung Jerai. Archaeological evidences such as metal artifacts, remains of furnaces, iron ores, tuyeres and slags has been used since 3 rd -5 th CE as a famous international entrepot [1]. Te evidence of ancient structure and iron smelting with supporting data from geophysical methods show that Sungai Batu is an oldest civilization that has been recorded in Southeast Asia [2]. Mid-south of Kedah was recorded as marine area in the 1 st -2 nd century. Te changes of geomorphology due to rise in sea level in year 1400 changes the area become landed region [3]. Sediments including rocks, soil, and mineral from weathering process was transported from river and ocean to the lower area, and strongly infuenced by the regional geology. Te sea level fuctuations are about 2-3 m in 200 years or less based on the historical and geological evidence [4]. Regression of sea level during Late Holocene until present day changes the geomorphology for this area. Te mechanism of sea level changes is complex and related to the earth’s rheology, eustasy and isostasy [5,6]. Te sea level fall was recorded with the value of 0.7 and 0.5 mm/year for Peninsular Malaysia West and East coasts respectively in mid-Holecene to recent sea level trend [7]. Sungai Batu sedimentation process controls by the depositional process from Sungai Merbok and Malacca Strait. Sediments from Gunung Jerai was transported by Sungai Merbok to lower region with high of turbidity current until it settled down due to gravity factor. Te hydrogenous sediments from Malacca Strait are transported due to long shore drif from the tidal current to formed range of landforms. Tere are several factors controlling the depositional environment in this area which is fuvial discharge including water volume, time variation, river mouth process and also tidal process. Te sediments from the near shore or marine are well sorted with fne grained distribution due to current velocity and particle diameter [8]. Resistivity value of unconsolidated sediments from Bering Sea was identify with value of 29.1-71.0 Ohm.cm at 25°C and irregularly Abstract Geophysical survey such as 2D resistivity imaging and seismic refraction tomography are non-destructive methods that widely used in subsurface exploration including archaeological study. The purpose of this survey is to identify the sediment deposition types of Sungai Batu area for Ancient River. Two study sites were chosen to conduct 2D resistivity imaging and seismic refraction tomography surveys. The 2D resistivity imaging survey was conducted using Pole- dipole array with 2.5 m minimum electrode spacing while seismic refraction tomography was performed using 5 kg sledgehammer as seismic source with 5 m geophone spacing. Roll along techniques are apply for the two methods in the study site 1 and 2. The study concludes that the subsurface of the study area comprise of 3 major soil types. The top soil (1 st type) consists of loose and dry alluvium which indicated with resistivity value of >100 Ohm.m. The second type was saturated alluvium (clay and sand) with resistivity and velocity values of 10-50 Ohm.m and <1400 m/s respectively. When this type of soil change to moist condition, the resistivity value increase to <100 Ohm.m but velocity value remain. The 2D resistivity imaging and seismic refraction tomography detected the river bed with the value of >300 Ohm.m and >3600 m/s respectively. The correlation of 2D resistivity imaging and seismic refraction tomography show that the depositional environment for this survey is causes by land sediments deposit. Application of 2D Resistivity Imaging and Seismic Refraction Tomography to Identify Sungai Batu Sediment Depositional Origin Saad R 1* , Muztaza MN 1 , Zakaria MT 1 and Saidin MM 2 1 Geophysics Section, School of Physics, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia 2 Centre for Global Archeological Research Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia increase 11 Ohm.cm in the frst meter below the sediment surface [9]. A combination of laboratory analysis and multi-electrode resistivity feld experiment for marine sediments status confrms that the multi- electrode resistivity method is relevant to estimate the degree and state of sediment consolidation in real-time and in-situ [10]. A geophysical surveys, 2D resistivity imaging and seismic refraction tomography were carried out to identify the sediment depositional origin of Sungai Batu. Study area Te study location was situated near river and residential area. Te geomorphology of this area was fat landed fll with oil palm and rubber trees including streams, rivers and swamps at the eastern part. Sungai Batu area is located at northwestern of Peninsular Malaysia and near to Gunung Jerai and Sungai Merbok. Sungai Merbok is underlain by Mahang formation especially in eastern and southern part [11]. Te formation formed in Middle Ordovician to Early Devonian age [12]. Te rock unit comprises shale, red slate, grey slate and black slate. Hot and humid climate during a year leads the high chemical weathering to occurs, which changes the shale to soil and laterite [13]. Te main mineralogy of rocks is mica and chloride. Black slate contains an abundance of carbon and red slate, consists of high iron oxide [14]. Granitic intrusion causes the rocks of surroundings area become metamorphose to produce schist rocks [12]. Gunung Jerai located at