Similar lithological and tectonic features indicate that Timor and Sulawesi islands were part of the same continental block. Timor was in the southern part of Sulawesi, then separated during Late Miocene time during the opening of the South Banda Sea basin. At this time Timor evolved as a part of an Upper Miocene volcanic arc that collided the Australian plate at the end of the Lower Pliocene (3.5 Ma). To cite this article: M. Villeneuve et al., C. R. Geoscience 336 (2004).