GEOMORPHOLOGICAL CONDITION

AT PADANG PARIAMAN REGENCY, WEST SUMATERA

PROVINCE INDONESIA

Yustinus Adityawan Herlambang 1)

1)
e-mail : killrockforfun@yahoo.co.id
Undergraduate Student of Environmental Geography Department
Geography Faculty
Gadjah Mada University
Yogyakarta, 2010

ABSTRACT

Sumatera Island is one of the biggest islands in Indonesia. It was formed by a lot of
geomorphic processes such as tectonic and volcanic activities. This research was carried out in
Padang Pariaman Regency, West Sumatera Province, Indonesia. Padang Pariaman Regency
located at 99˚ 58’ 13’’ - 100˚ 32’ 35’’ East Longitude and 1˚ 18’ 56’’ - 1˚ 34’ 56’’ North Lalitude.
The purpose of this research is to describe geomorphological conditions at Padang Pariaman
Regency.
This research consists of several steps such as literature study, secondary data interpretation,
and analysis. Literature study is the first step to know genetical process which occur at research
area. Secondary data were used in this research are geologic map, topography map, and SRTM.
Analytical approach was used to analyze geomorphological condition at research area. Analytical
approach consists 4 geomorphological aspects, that are morphology, morphochronology,
morfogenetic, and morphoarrangement.
Volcanic, marine, fluvial, and complex landforms are the types of landform at Padang
Pariaman Regency based on their genetical processes. Complex landform at this area was formed
by configuration a lot of geomorphic processes such as tectonic, volcanic, karst, and denudational
processes. Andesitic isolated hill is unique volcanic form. The genetic process which formed
andesitic isolated hill didn’t know correctly yet, so the author made some scenario where it can be
explained genetic process which formed andesitic isolated hill in research area

Keywords : Padang Pariaman Regency, Geomorphological Condition, Analytical Approach.

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1. Introduction
Geomorphology is the study of landforms and the processes that create them
(Hugget, 2007). Lobeck (1939) stated that geomorphology had relevance with 2
sciences, that were geology and geography. Geomorphology in relation with
geology science was a science which deals with surface features of the earth’s
crust (Lobeck, 1939). It considered with mineralogy and petrology, paleontology,
and stratigraphy. Stuctural and dynamic geology contribute toward an
understanding of geomorphology by explaining evolution of the earth’s surface.
Geography defined as the study of the relationship existing between life and
physical environment. The study of the physical environment called
physiography. The meaning of physiography was a subject of geography science
where it was a relationship between geomorphology, climatology, oceanography
which it determined the distribution and behavior of the animal and human. Many
scientists in the world disputed geomorphology was branch of physical geography
or branch of physical geology. But this controversion was back from the
development of geomorphology around the world. For example in United State,
geology science is the basic for all application in their sciences such as soil,
hydrology, etc. Whereas in Europe, geography is the basic for natural sciences.

Figure 1. Indonesia Location, Red Box is Padang Pariaman Regency

(Source: Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana, 2009)

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 Geomorphological condition at certain region has influence with resources
and hazard either from their type, quantity, and intensity. To analysis
geomorphological condition at certain region, we can use 2 approaches, those are
syntetic and analytical approach. Analytical approach was used by author for
determining geomorphological condition in Padang Pariaman Regency. In
analytical approach, geomorphology study based on 4 aspects in geomorphology,
that are morphology, morphochronology, morfogenetic, and morphoarrangement.
This time, the development in many areas around the world are increasing
significantly. The development will be causing a lot of problems either positive or
negative problems. One of the negative problems is climate changing, in which it
becomes world concern, either government, academic, and society around the
world. A lot of hazards occurred at certain place around the world were an
evidences of global climate changing such as landslide, flooding, sedimentation,
drought, raising of sea level, etc. To reduce the impact of hazard at certain place,
it needs intergration between science and technology, especially geomorphology.
Sutikno (2007) stated that Indonesia was in collision zone of three tectonic
plates (Eurasian, India-Australian, and Pacific Plates), between two oceans
(Pacific and India), an between two big continents (Australian and Asian).
According that fact, Indonesia has unique geologic and geomorphic features.
Padang Pariaman regency located at West Sumatera Province, where genetical
processes formed topography compotition and geologic features at this place. The
purpose of this paper is to know geomorphological condition at Padang Pariaman
Regency.

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2. Research Area
Geographic Condition
Padang Pariaman Regency is a lot of regencies where it is a part of West
Sumatera Province. Based on geomorphic processes which arrange Padang
Pariaman Regency, these can be divided into 2 main groups that are internal
(geotectonic and volcanic activities) and external processes (erosion,
sedimentation, and material transportation by water).
Padang Pariaman Regency situated at zone 47 UTM, with UTM
coordinate position 607966 mT – 671689 mT and 9902525 mU – 9966350 mU or
99˚ 58’ 13’’ – 100˚ 32’ 35’’ BT and 1˚ 18’ 56’’ – 1˚ 34’ 56’’ LU for geographic
coordinate position. Padang Pariaman Regency has 17 Districts and has width
1581,16 km2. Batang Anai Sub District is a widely district in Padang Pariaman
Regency. The area and width of Padang Pariaman Regency, can be saw at Table
1.
Table 1. Area of District Administration In Padang Pariaman Regency
Area of Administration
No District
ha Km2
1 Batang Gasan 4276,944 42,76944
2 Sungai Limau 7933,210 79,3321
3 Batang Anai 35604,190 356,0419
4 Lubuk Alung 16876,749 168,76749
5 Ulakan Tapakis 5174,317 51,74317
6 Nan Sabaris 4993,406 49,93406
7 2X 11 Kayu Tanam 14663,654 146,63654
8 IV Koto Aur Malintang 11308,268 113,08268
9 II.X.XI.VI.Lingkung 4735,303 47,35303
10 Patamuan 5267,306 52,67306
11 Padang Sago 2043,312 20,43312
12 VII Koto Sungai Sarik 4338,093 43,38093
13 V Koto Timur 7897,011 78,97011
14 V Koto KP Dalam 8420,023 84,20023
15 Sungai Geringgi 13246,988 132,46988
16 Sintuk Toboh Gadang 5002,819 50,02819
17 VI Lingkung 6334,799 63,34799
Total 158116,392 1581,1639
(Source : Administration Map Analysis., June, 2010)

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 In this research, the author used administrative area for the boundary of
research area. In figure 4, the author shown Padang Pariaman Regency
Administration Map. The boundaries of this reseach area can be divided into 4
sections, that are :
North : Padang Panjang Regency, Bukit Tinggi Regency.
South : Pariaman Regency, Mentawai Strait.
West : Agam Regency.
East : Solok Regency, Padang Regency.

Figure 2. Padang Pariaman Regency Administration Map

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 Topography Condition
Padang Pariaman Regency have a lot of unique and variation of
topographic conditions. These variation of topographic conditions caused relief
differences, slope shapes, slope gradient, and drainage pattern. Topographic
conditions in Padang Pariaman have a relationship with historical steps which
formed this area with intergration between geomorphic agents - processes and
climate conditions. Geotectonism and volcanism were energies below the earth’s
which formed variation topographic conditions, geologic structure, the kind of
materials (types of rocks), and biophysic cultural of this area.

A B

Figure 3. Elevation Map Padang Pariaman Regency

At Raster Format (A); 3D Topography Padang Pariaman VE = 4 (B)
(Source : GIS Analysis, June 2010).

Geological Condition
The forming process of Padang Pariaman Regency had relevance with the
processes which formed Sumatera Island. Geologic and Geomorphic process
activities can be saw by a lot of physical features in the field, such as Semangko
Fault where it was lengthwise throughout Bukit Barisan mountains. The important
concepts to identify those processes can be divided into 3 concepts.
1)
The important concepts are the same physical processes and laws that
operate today operated throughout geologic time although not necessarily always
2)
with the same intensity as now, Geomorphic processes leave their distinctive
imprint upon landforms and each geomorphic process develops its own

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 3)
characteristic assemblage of landform, and Geologic structure is a dominant
control factor in the evolution of landforms and is reflected in them (Thornbury,
1958 at Dibyosaputro, 1997).

Figure 4. Padang Pariaman Geological Map

(Source : Bappeda Padang Pariaman, 2006)

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 Katili and Marks (1953) stated that the processes who formed Bukit
Barisan Mountains had been happened at Upper Cretaceous and Middle Tertiary
Periods. Where, the relevance between magma activity and geologic structure
have strong relationship with the process who formed Bukit Barisan Mountains.
Subsidence process had been happened at young Mesozoic era. It was forming
geosinclinal and ophilit intrusion.
And then, the next processes were fold and uplift, where those processes
occurred at Upper Cretaceous – Lower Eocene. When those processes occurred at
the same time, another process happened in this area was granitic intrusion. At
Oligocene-Miocene epoch, geologic and geomorphic processes were subsidence
and volcanic activities. The intensity of volcanic activity was really strong, it
made a lot of types of igneous rocks such as andesite, basalt, and dacite, who
known as old andesite formation.

Middle Miocene

Lower Eocene

Figure 5. Geologic Time

(Source : International Stratigraphic Chart)

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 The second processes was same with the first, where the second processes
occurred at Middle Miocene. In the beneath of Sumatera Island, granitic rock was
formed. Eruption process took place at the surface, it made some rocks such as
pumice, dacite, rhyolite, etc. This process occurred lengthwise throughout
Semangko Fault. At upper Miocene, those processes took place again, where
those were identified by basalt and andesite.
The kind of rocks in Padang Pariaman Regency were alluvium, andesite,
granite, lava flows, limestone, quarsite, etc. Limestone and igneous rocks were an
evidence, where in this area had been happened 3 processes, that were tectonic,
volcanic, hydrothermal alteration activities. Intergration between physical and
climatic conditions will be making a lot of geomorphic processes such as
weathering, mass wasting, erosion, sedimentation, etc.

3. Research Methods
Geomorphological Method
There are 2 approaches to determining geomorphological condition and to
analysis, that are analytical and syntetic approach. Analytical approach was used
by author for determining geomorphological condition in Padang Pariaman
Regency. In analytical approach, geomorphology study based on 4 aspects in
geomorphology, that are morphology, morphochronology, morfogenetic, and
morphoarrangement.
Morphology can be divided into morphometry and morphography.
Morphometry aspect including size aspect and the form of unsures which formed
landform. Morphography was a formation from natural object in the earth surface
(Dibyosaputro, 1997). Morphogenetic were the processes which forming landform
and their development, whereas morphoarrangement was the relevance of
landform in some place with their spatial function.
Morphological data and types and rock distribution were obtained from
SRTM and geologic map. And the morphogenetic and morphochronology aspects
were obtained from literature or researches in this area.

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 Data

Geologic map SRTM

Topography Map
Literatures

Interpretation

Morphology Morphoarrangement

Morphochronological Morphogenetical

Geomorphological
Map

Figure 7. Geomorphological Methodology Flowchart.

4. Results and Discussion

Geomorphological Conditions
Geomorphology is the study of landforms and the processes that create
them (Hugget, 2007). Landform is a part of earth surface which it’s unique forms,
as the result from geologic structure, time, and processes (Dibyosaputro, 1997).
Landform was included geologic structure, rocks, relief, and geomorphic process.
Based on genetic geomorphic process which formed Padang Pariaman topography
composition, can be divided into 6 processes, those were volcanic, tectonic,
denudation, marine, solutional, and fluvial processes. Those processes contribute
at landscape characteristic and evolution.
The important object in Geomorphology was landform, where it discussed
4 aspects, those were morphology, morphogenetic, morphocronology, and
morphoarrangement. The kind of landforms at research area were 4 landforms
considered on genetical processes which those formed this area. Four genetical
landforms can be classified in detail into 13 forms, where those forms were
classified and delineated based on topography, geomorphic processes, and types
of rocks. The name and distribution of those landforms can be seen at Table 2.

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 Table 2. The kind of Landforms And Width

No Landform Km2 %
1 Upper Slope of Andesitic Mountain Range 39.77 2.51
2 Coastal Plain 60.35 3.80
3 Middle Slope of Andesitic Mountain Range 82.15 5.18
4 The Peak of Mountain with Volcanic Lava flow 21.67 1.37
5 The Peak of Mountain with quartzite material 1.22 0.08
6 Upper slope of complex mountain with limestone, granite, quartzite 18.66 1.18
materials
7 The valley between mountains with volcanic lava flow material 10.51 0.66
8 Upper slope of mountain with volcanic lava flow material 89.26 5.63
9 Middle slope of complex mountain with volcanic lava flow, quartzite, 185.92 11.72
granite, andesitic, limestone materials
10 Foot Slope of complex Mountain with volcanic lava flow, Tutut 328.23 20.69
Geologic Formation, Andesitic, Granite materials
11 Andesitic Isolated Hill 5.46 0.34
12 Colluvial Plain 160.70 10.13
13 Alluvial Plain 582.74 36.73
(Sources : Geomorphological Analysis, 2010)

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 Topography Profile Topography Profile
Kota Aur Malintang District - Sungai Limau District 1300 Kayu Tanam District - Ulakan Tapakis District
900

975
675

Vertical Exaggeration = 19 Vertical Exaggeration = 15

650
450
Elevation Elevation
(m) (m)

325
225

0
5025 10050 15075 20100 25125 30091 0 5400 10800 162000 21600 27000 32269

Distance Distance
(m) (m)
1369
Topography Profile
Batang Anai District - Ulakan Tapakis District

1050
Vertical Exaggeration = 18

700
Elevation
(m)

350

0
6275 12550 18825 25100 31375 37601

Distance
(m)

Figure 8. Topography Profiles

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 Volcanic Landform
Volcanic landform at research area can be divided into 3 landform, that
were upper slope of andesitic mountain, middle slope of andesitic mountain, and
andesitic isolated hill. Delineation process of those landforms used topography
classification based on elevation map. Determining volcanic landform consider on
dranaige pattern, where the type of drainage pattern in this landform was radial.
Volcanic process was an important thing process who formed this area.
Magma activity worked intensively, where it formed a lot of types of
igneous rock such as andesite, granite, lava flow, and quartzite. Based on
petrology classification, andesite is a dark-colered, fine grained volcanic rock that
is the extrusive equivalent of diorite. Granite is light colored, typically gray or
pink, coarse grained, plutonic rocks with abundant quartz, in which the dominant
feldspar is potassium feldspar rather than plagioclase. Granitic was commonly
found at continental crust, especially in the cores of mountain ranges.
The scope of volcanic landform is 127.38 km2 or approximately 8.03 % of
the total reseach area. Morphological condition in this landform highly varied, it
was shown with the class of slope ranging from 8 – 55 %. The class of slope has
influence to morphological condition, where morphological forms at this area
were moderately steep, steep, and very steep. Andesitic isolated hill feature was a
special phenomena where it can be classified into 2 landforms, those were
volcanic and denudational landforms. The genetic process which formed
andesitic isolated hill didn’t know correctly yet, so the author made some scenario
where it can be explained genetic process which formed andesitic isolated hill in
research area.
First scenario is dynamic magma movement activity, where it will be
making preasure on earth surface. Preasure on earth surface influences to their
form and shape. When the preasure become higher and endurance of the material
is higher, it will be making unique form like dome. If the preasure is higher than
the endurance of the material, it will making volcano form.

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 Another option is anticline form, who formed by the preasure bellow the
earth energy. Anticline form can be detected by measuring dip and strike on the
outcrop in the field. This form is like Gendol Hill at Muntilan District, Magelang
Regency, Central Java Province. Where Dutch geologist (Bammelen) stated that
this form was made from large mass sliding of Merapi volcano. But that statement
contestable by Kurniawan (2008) who spoke Gendol hill was anticline.
Second scenario, andesitic isolated hill is a result old volcanic activity like
large eruption or great mass sliding of southeastern part of the lake. It based on
volcanic lake or caldera of volcano at that time. The dranaige pattern is radial,
where it is the type of drainage pattern on volcanic landform. Third scenario,
andesitic isolated hill is denudational landform, where denudation processes such
as erosion and mass wasting are working actively. Those scenario just were the
author argument, where needed field observation and laboratory activity to prove
the genetic process who fomed andesitic isolated hill.

Figure 9. Radial dranaige pattern in volcanic lake

(red circle is andesitic isolated hill, not scaled)

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 Fluvial Landform
Fluvial landform is a types of landforms, who formed characteristic
landscape of Padang Pariaman Regency. Fluvial landform in research area was
alluvial plain. Based on genetic process which formed this landform, the
important agent was river process. A lot of processes occurred at this landform
such as erosion, transportation, and sedimentation. Erosion process can be
happened by overlandflow and river.
Material transportation by river including rolling, sliding, traction,
suspended matter, and dissolve matter (Dibyosaputro, 1997; Hugget, 2007).
Alluvial plain has scope 582.74 km2 or approximately 36.73 % of the total scope
of research area. Morphological condition at alluvial plain relatively flat until
moderately, with class slope ranging from 3 – 13 %.
Commonly, material on this landform was a transportation result by water
flow such as overland flow and river flow with concentrated or unconcentrated
flow. Sorting depends on three factors: the viscosity, velocity of the transporting
medium and the durability of the particles. The material sorting in this landform
has good particles, where large particles deposited in the bottom and small
particles on the top.
The chronological alluvial plain figuration phase was long process with
intergration some geomorphic agents. Material transportation process by river or
overland flow depended on local geophysical condition, such as rainfall, slope, the
width of channel, and external disruption. Rainfall played role as geomorphic
agent who carried decay material where it was transported into river or
transported into flat slope area. Slope condition has influence to velocity and the
rate of flow from overland flow and river flow. Whereas the example for external
disruption is vegetation, who can be disturbed transportation in the channel of
river.
Material transportation process has directly proportional with slope
condition and the width of the channel of river. Those have influence with
velocity and the rate of river flow. Decreasing of the rate of river flow will be
causing sedimentation process.

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 Futhermore material sedimentation had been taking lithification.
Lithification refers to processes that convert loose sediment to hard rock. Two of
the most important processes are compaction and cementation. Sedimentation
process makes geologic structure feature such as cross-bedding, ripple marks,
graded bedding, and mud cracks.

Figure 10. Geomorphological Map

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 Marine Landform
Marine landform is a part of landforms at research area who formed by
marine activity. The type of marine landform at research area was coastal plain,
with 60.35 km2 or 3.8 % of the total scope of this area. At coastal area, we can see
a lot of gisik features, where the shorelines almost form linear/straight lines.
Marine landform commonly has 2 types, that were depositional and erosion types.
Erosion type was a type of marine landform who occurred because of cutting
process by waves activity. Whereas depositional type was a type of marine
landform who occurred because of depositional process by waves. The marine
landform at research area has depositional type. It can be proven with
morphological criteria, where the slope was ranging form 0 – 7 % and the
topography was relatively flat until moderately.
The forming of coastal plain processes have relevance with geomorphic
agents like waves, river, and overland flow. The chronological coastal plain
figuration phase get started with weathering process caused by climate condition,
biologic activity, and endurance of rock by weathering. The result of volcanic
weathering was transported by overland flow into the river. Futhermore material
transportation by river was deposited and transported around estuary or was
deposited by river which had small rate of flow. In ocean, the material through a
lot of geomorphic processes such as material sorting and deposition by waves and
current in shorelines. Those processes took long time and have directly
proportional with layers and relative age of stratum.
The color of materials in this landform commonly light until dark colored;
with silica, sodium, and pottasium compositions relatively high. It was caused by
rock genetic, in which the material was a result of weathering process of igneous
rock. According to Bowen’s reaction series, mineral figuration at coastal plain can
be classified into felsic and intermediate phases. The sorting of the material at
coastal plain was same with alluvial plain, where the layer of materials composed
with good deposite based on their size.

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 Complex Landform
Complex landform was a landform where it formed by a lot of geomorphic
processes such as structural, volcanism, and solutional (karst). Classification those
processes consider on type of rocks. Based on type of rocks, we can explain about
genetic processes which formed this landform. Configuration among those
processes bring relatively unique at this landform, include physical and ecological
side.
Complex landform at research area can be divided into 7, those were the
peak of mountain with volcanic lava flow; the peak of mountain with quartzite
material; upper slope of complex mountain with limestone, granite, quartzite
materials; the valley between mountains with volcanic lava flow material; upper
slope of mountain with volcanic lava flow material; middle slope of complex
mountain with volcanic lava flow, quartzite, granite, andesitic, limestone
materials; and foot Slope of complex mountain with volcanic lava flow, Tutut
Geologic Formation, andesitic, granite materials. The scope of complex landform
was 655.46 km2 or approximately 41.31 % of the total research area.
The chronological complex landform figuration phase can be divided into
3 phases. First phase was subsidence process and then the second phase was uplift
process. The evidence of uplift process was limestone feature, in which limestone
was the commonest and most important biogenic rock. Limestone consist of
lithified shells and reef constructed of calcite by marine organisms. While uplift
process took place, another geomorphic process as volcanic process occurred too.

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 Figure 11. Lineament Rose Diagram

Volcanic process as intrusion produced a kind of igneous rocks such as

basalt, and dacite, who known as old andesite formation. Third phase was
volcanic activity produced andesitic, pumice, rhyolite, and lava flow. Volcanic
and uplift processes caused variation of geologic structure indirectly, one of the
geologic structure was lineament pattern. Lineament pattern was a shape of
geologic structures, who described fracture or fault lines.
Morphological of complex landform are mountain with moderately slope
until steep slope. The slope of this landform ranging from 14 – 55 %. The
complexity of geomorphic processes on this landform causing 2 type of rock,
those were igneous and sedimentary rock. The type of igneous rock at this area
can be classified into 3 group, those were felsic, intermediate, and mafic based on
mineral configuration which formed igneous rock at this place. And for the type
of sedimentary rock were biotic and clastic sedimentary rocks.

5. Conclusion
Tectonism and volcanism were an important processes which formed
landform at Padang Pariaman. The type of landform in research area divided into
4 based on genetic processes, those are volcanic, marine, fluvial, and complex
landforms. Field observation and laboratory test needed to compare the result of
interpretation and the fact in the field.

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