geological field report

CHAPTER # 1

INTRODUCTION

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6 DAY GEOLOGICAL FIELD WORK IN NAMMAL GORGE, RUMLI

AREA, HAZARA AREA AND NORTHERN METAMORPHIC ZONE

Our department arranged a field trip of six days for BS-6th semester (2011-15) from 20

march to 27 march 2015.The field trip was related to the Geological mapping, structural

Geology and tectonic frame work of Pakistan.

We observed the change in relief of area, rock types, sedimentary structures depositional

condition, contacts of rock units and geomorphic features.

Our main objective was to observe and map different rock units in Rumli and Hazara

area.

AREA INTRODUCTION

EASTRN SALT RANGE

This is an excellent place for studying geology of rocks of Salt range, ranging in age from

Precambrian, cambrain, Permian, teriary, Eocene, and Miocene. Khewrda salt mine situated

at the beginning of the gorge is built on salt range formation. Maximum one hours walk

from Chua Sadden shah road to punjgrai Precambrian rocks of salt range formation and

khewrda thrusted over Miocene rocks of Kamlial formation and make a karangal rotational

thrust.

Rumli Area

2nd day we field work in Rumli .Rumli area is located in the north of Quaid E Azam

University (Islamabad).Rumli area is present in Margala rang which is dipping toward north

and strike is East-west. Murree Formation is youngest in that area and other older

Formation are present over it, which marks a thrust fault and that is MBT. Highly vegetated

area and many streams are present there. Area is easily accessible by any type of vehicle

and rock units can easily study along the road. And we map that area

Hazara Area

Hazara is a region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. Hazara is bounded on the

north and east by the Northern Areas and Azad Kashmir. To the south are the Islamabad

Capital Territory and the province of Punjab, whilst to the west lies the rest of Khyber

Pakhtunkhwa. The river Indus runs through the division in a north-south line, forming much

of the western border of the division. The total area of Hazara is 18,013 km²

3th day we covered the road section from Abbottabad to Nathia Gali .We observed the

lithologies of different rock unit and mark NGT Nathia Gali thrust near NathiaGali.

4th day we oghi khaki road section. 5th and 6th day we visit nikalsan monument and observe

that it differentiate the marghala ranges and Kala chitta ranges

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.

CHAPTER #2

STRATIGRAPHY

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General Stratigraphy of salt range and Hazara Ranges

AGE Salt range Hazara range

Recent Alluvium

Kalabag conglomerate

Pliocene Soan formation

Dhok pathan formation

Nagri formation

Chingii formation

Miocene Kamlial Formation

Muree Formation Muree formation

Oligocene

EOCENE

Kuldanat formation

Chorgali formation Chorgali formation

Skasser Formation Margala hill lime stone

Namal Formation

Paleocene Patala Formation Patala Formation

Lockhart Formation Lockhart Formation

Hangu Formation Hangu Formation

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Cretaceouse

Kawagarh Formation

Lumshiwal Formation Lumshiwal Formation

Chichali Formation Chichali Formation

Jurassic

Samanasuck Limestone Samanasuck Formation

Shinawari Formation

Datta Formation Datta Formation

Triassic

Kingriali Formation

Tredian Formation

Mianwali Formation

Late Permian

Chhidru Formation

Wargal Formation

Amb Formation

Early Permian

Sardhai Formation

Warcha formation

Dandot Formation

Tobra Formation

Baghanwala Formation

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Cambrian

Jutana Formation

Kussak Formation

Khewra Formation Abbottabad Formation

Pre Cambrian Hazara Formation

Salt range Formation Tanawal Formation

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DAY 1- 20 March, 2015

Chua Saidan shah road SECTION

Observed Stratigraphy on Chua Saidan road section

Rock Unit AGE

Chinjii Formation Pliocene

Kamlial Formation Miocene

Skasser Formation Eocene

Namal Formation Eocene

Patala Formation Paleocene

Hangu Formation Plaeocen

Warcha Formation Early Permian

Dabdot Formation Early Permian

Tobra Formation Early Permian

Baghanwala

Formation

Cambrian

Jutana Formation Cambrian

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Jutana Formation Fleming (1853) named this unit “magnesium sandstone”. Noetling (1894) called it

as “Jutana stage”. The Stratigraphic committee of Pakistan formalized the name of

this unit as “Jutana Formation”.

The type locality is near Jutana village in eastern Salt Range. At the type locality the

lower part of the formation consists of light green, hard, massive partly sandy

dolomite and upper part is composed of light green to dirty white massive dolomite.

In the upper part, brecciated dolomite is also present with matrix and fragments

consisting of the same rock. The thickness at type locality is 80 meters

Observation Jutana formation was observed along Chua Saidan shah road during our field work. It

was creamish dolomite. The age of formation is described as late Early Cambrian to

early Middle Cambrian

Baghanwala Formation The name Baghanwala Formation is now given to the rocks of the “Pseudomorph

Salt Crystalzone” of Wynee (1878) and the “Baghanwala Group” of Noetling (1894).

Holland (1926) called these beds “salt Pseudomorph beds” and Pascoe (1959) named

them “Baghanwala Stage”.

The type locality is near Baghanwala Village in the eastern Salt Range. The

formation is composed of red shale and clay, alternating with flaggy sandstone

exhibits several colors including pink grey or blue green, especially in the lower half

of the formation. Numerous pseudomorph casts of salt crystals which are found along

he bedding planes are the diagnostic feature of the formation. The thickness at eastern

salt range is 40 meters. The contact of the Baghanwala formation with overlying

Tobra Formation is unconformable, whereas the lower contact with the Jutana

Formation is conformable.

Observation

The section observed in salt range at Chua Sadden shah road. We observed salt

pseudomorph at bedding planes, which is a distinguishable criterion of the formation.

The formation contains trace fossils. The age of formation is early middle Cambrian

because of it is conformably overlain by Jutana formation which is of the same age.

Tobra Formation

The name Tobra formation was previously known as “Talchir Boulder Bed” or

“Talchir Stage” of Gee (1959) and “salt range boulder bed” of Teichert (1967).The

type locality is near Tobra village in eastern salt range.

Tobra formation consists of three facies Tillitic facies, Freshwater facies and

complex facies.

(1)Tillitic facies are exposed in eastern salt range. The rock unit grades into marine

sand stone which is containing Eurydesma and Conularia fauna.

(2)Freshwater facies have few or no boulders. It is an alternating facies of siltstone

and shale containing spore flora. This facies is characteristics of the Central salt

range.

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(3)A complex facies of diamictite, sandstone and boulder bed which increases in

thickness in western salt range and Khisor Range is also present. The Tobra formation

is true tillitic; the rock unit is composed of boulders of granite with fragments of

Quartz, feldspar, magnetite, garnet, claystone, siltstone, quartzite, bituminous shale,

diabase and gneiss. Some boulders are polished and scratched.

Observation

This section was observed along Chua Saidan Shah Road in eastern salt range. It

was observed that Tobra formation composed of tillitic facies. Gravels, boulders,

grits, of different sizes mixed in clay matrix The age of formation on the basis of

Stratiopodocarpites and Protohaploxypinus is considered to be Early Permian

Dandot Formation

The name Dandot formation is formalized after the “Dandot Group” of Noetling

(1901).The type locality is near Dandot village, eastern salt range. The Lithology at

type locality consists of light grey to olive green yellowish sandstone with occasional

thin pebbly and subordinate dark grey and greenish splintery shale’s.

Observation

Tobra formation has been observed along Chua Saidan shah road. It was observed that

the section consists of thick bedded sand stone with pebbles of different size. A

reverse fault is marked between Skaser and Dandot formation along Chua Saidan shah

road. The fossils of formation in the eastern salt range have yielded brachiopods and

its specie. The age of formation on the basis of fauna and its super positional order

with the Tobra formation of Early Permian is considered to be early Permian.

Warchha Sandstone

The name “Warchha sandstone” was coined by Hussain (1967) which has approved

by Stratigraphic committee of Pakistan.The type section is in Khewra gorge in eastern

salt range.

The formation consists of medium to coarse grained sandstone, conglomerates in

places and has interbeds of shale. The sandstone is purple, red, or shows lighter shade

of pink. It is cross bedded. The sandstone is arkosic, the pebble of the unit are mostly

granite of pink colour and quartzite.

The thickness of the formation is 26 t0 180 m in salt range and Khisor range and it is

widely distributed in these areas. The Warchha sandstone conformably overlies the

Dandot formation.

Observation

This section was observed at sadia sulthe road at pid village.

Hungu Formation

The name Hungu formation was formalized by Stratigraphic committee of Pakistan

(1973) for “Hungu sandstone” of Davies (1930).

The type section of the formation is near fort Lockhart and Dhak pass in salt range

as a principle reference section of the formation.

The formation consists of variegated sandstone, shale, carbonaceous shale and some

nodular, argillaceous limestone in the salt range. A 2m to3m thick bed of ferruginous,

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pisolitic sandstone occurs at the base of unit. At type locality is 90 m thick, 50 m at

Hungu, 45m thick at Dhak pass in the salt range. The formation unconformable

overlies the Lumshiwal formation and conformably underlies Lockart limestone in the

salt range.

Observation

Laterite beds of Hungu formation has been observed on chio sadden road Village

during our field work.

The age of formation is assigned as early Paleocene on the basis of above mentioned

Foraminiferas.

Patala Formation

The term Patala formation was formalized by Stratigraphic Committee of Pakistan for

the “Patala Shale” of Davies and Pinfold (1937) and its usage was extended to other

parts of the Kohat-Potwar and Hazara areas. The section exposed in Patala nala is

designated as type section in Salt range.

In the salt range, the formation consists of shale and marl with subordinate

limestone and sandstone. The shale is greenish grey and containing carbonaceous

material. The limestone is white to grey and nodular. Coal seams of economic value

are present in upper part.

The thickness of formation is 27m at Khewra and 90m at Patala nala. It widely

exposed in Kohat-Potwar and Hazara areas. Throughout its extent, the Patala

formation conformably overlies the Lockhart lime stone .The Patala formation is

conformably and Transitional overlain by Nammal formation in the Salt range.

Observation

Patala formation has been observed along Choa sadden Shah Road in Eastern

salt range during our fieldwork. A thin bed of bituminous shale and horizons of Fire

clay, coal and sand were observed. The formation is richly fossiliferous and contains

abundant Foraminiferas, mollusks and ostracodes. The age of formation is regarded as

Late Paleocene while in Hazara its age is Early Eocene.

Nammal Formation

The term Nammal formation has been formally accepted by Stratigraphic

committee of Pakistan for the “Nammal Limestone” and “Shale” of Gee (1945).The

section exposed in Nammal gorge is type section.

Observation

Lithological formation comprises shale, marl and limestone. In the Salt range, these

rocks occur as alternations. The shale is grey to olive green, while the limestone and

marl are light grey to bluish grey. The limestone is argillaceous in places.

It is 40 m thick in Khewra-Choa Saidan Shah Road section in eastern salt range and

varies at different places. The lower contact with Patala formation and Upper contact

with the Sakesar limestone are transitional.

Abundant fossils, mainly Foraminiferas and mollusks, have been reported from the

formation.

Eocene age has been assigned to the formation on the basis of fauna.

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Sakesar Formation

The term “Sakesar Limestone” was introduced by Gee for the most prominent Eocene

limestone unit in Salt range and Trans Indus ranges.

Type locality of formation is Sakesar Peak in Salt range. The unit consists dominantly

of limestone with subordinate marl. The limestone throughout its extent is cream

colour to grey colour, nodular, usually massive, with considerable development of

chert in upper part. The marl is cream colored to light grey and forms a persistent

horizon near the top.

Observation

Sakesar formation was observed in Eastern salt range along Choa Sadden Shah road

during our field work. Creamish coloured, massive nodular limestone with nodules of

chert in upper part was observed. It contains rich assemblage of Foraminiferas,

mollusks and echinoids. The age of formation is regarded as Early Eocene on the

basis of foraminifers reported.

Kumlial Formation

The name kumlial formation formalized by the Stratigraphic committee of Pakistan is

equivalent to kumlial beds of pinfold (1918) and kumlial stage of Pascoe (1963).

A type section has been designated near the southwest of kumlial in the Campbellpur

Distric. The formations consist of thin to medium bedded brick-red sandstone and

inter beds of purple shale and yellow intra formational conglomerate. The formation

is 90 m thick at kumlial, 580 min Khaur, and 650 m at Soan gorge. The formation

conformably overlies Murree formation and conformably underlies Chinji formation

of the Siwalik group Fossils of mammals have been recorded from the formation such

as Trilophodon cf. l.pentapotamiea Listriodon cf. and others.

The age of the formation is late Miocene according to fauna recorded from this

formation.

Observation This formation is observed in pujgrai village where we mark a krangal thrust that is

rotational thrust between kamlial and Cambrian formations . Due to this rotational

thrust choa sadden valley was formed. In the center of valley kamlial formation is

present and at the limbs or sides of the valley Skasser formation is present.

Chinji Formation

Morris (1938) called “Karghocha formation” to the rocks of this formation.

Pilgrim (1913) proposed the name “Chinji zone” and the Stratigraphic committee of

Pakistan accepted the name “Chinji formation” of Lewis (1937).The type section is

located near Chinji village in Campbellpur Distric. The formation consists of red clay

with subordinate grey, thin to medium bedded, cross bedded and soft sandstone.

Pebbles of quartzite and lenses of intra formational conglomerate are found at

different horizons of the formation. The proportion of sandstone and clay is different

at different places. The formation represents the argillaceous facies containing about

16mthickness of sandstone and 60 m thickness of clay. The thickness of the formation

is 750 m at the type area and 1,800 m thick in Shinghar range. The upper contact of

the formation with Nagri formation is conformable and lower contact with kumlial

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formation is sharp and conformable. Vertebrate fossils have been recorded from the

formation such as innumerable crocodiles, turtles, lizards, aquatic birds and others.

The age of the formation is late Miocene

Observation We observe this formation at Dhori Jhaba Chakwal road and mark a contact with

kamlia

Figure: 1 contact between jutana ,Baghanwala ,tobra and Dandot

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Figure: 2 Bookshelf model in Dandot Formation at shoa sadian shah Road

Fig: 3 Unconformity between Baghanwal and tobra Formation Shoa sadian

Road

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Figure: 4 Agular unconformity between Bagnawala, tobra, dandot at punj

grhae

Fig:5 China Clay in warcha sand stone at punj grahe

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Figure: 6 Contact between Hangu, patala, Namal, Skasser at punj

grae

Figur:7 Sahwal marl thrusted over Kamlial formation due to

Karanagal thrust Punj grae

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Figure: 8 choa sadden valley formed due to karangal rotational

thrust Choa sadden road

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2ND DAY- 21 March 2015

RUMLI (ISLAMABAD)

Observed stratigraphy In Rumli

ROCK UNIT AGE

Muree Formation Early Miocene

Kuldana Formation Middle Eocene

Chorgali Formation Early to Middle Eocene

Marghala Hill Limestone Early Eocene

Patala Formation Late Paleocene

Lockhart Limestone Middle Permian

Lumshiwal Formation Middle Cretaceous

Chichali Formation Early Cretaceous

Samana suk Formation Late Jurassic

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Murree Formation

Murree Formation was observed in Rumli, Islamabad during our fieldwork. The

Formation consists of purple clay and greenish grey massive bedded sandstone with

subordinate intra Formational conglomerate. The basal strata of the Formation

consist of light greenish, grey calcareous sandstone and conglomerate. Sand stone of

Murree Formation is coarse grained.

Observation

The Formation unconformably overlies various Formation of Eocene age, which is a

thrusted contact due to MBT. We observed many sedimentary structures like Ripple

marks, Cross bedding of two styles

hearing bone cross bedding and trough cross bedding was observed in Murree

Formation. Early Miocene is the age of that Formation.

Margala Hill Limestone The term Margala Hill limestone of Latif has been formally accepted by Stratigraphic

committee of Pakistan .The name is derived from the Margala Hills in Hazara.

The Formation consists of limestone with subordinate marl and shale. The limestone

is grey, weathering pale grey, fine medium grained, nodular, medium to tick bedded

are rarely massive. The marl is grey to brownish grey while the shale is greenish

brown to brown in color.

Observation

The lower and upper contacts with the Patala Formation and Chorgali Formation are

conformable Margala hill limestone was observed in Rumli (Islamabad) road section

during our fieldwork. It was limestone of big nodules with subordinate shale and

marl. Calcite veins are observed in that area Early Eocene Age of the Formation.

Kuldana Formation Middle miss (1896) used the name “Kuldana series”, Latif called “Kuldana beds” to

the rocks of Kuldana Formation.

Observation

Kuldana Formation was observed in Rumli (Islamabad) road section during our

fieldwork. It was variegated shale with occasional beds of limestone. The Formation

is composed of olive green shale and gypsum lenses. The Formation has a

conformable contact with underlying Chorgali Formation and upper contact with

Murree Formation is disconformable. But in Rumli, Chorgali is thrusted over Kuldana

Formation. Before road section observation, we also observed a large fragment of

Kuldana Formation along the stream in Rumli area while it has angular

unconformable contact with recent alluvial deposits.

The type locality is near Kuldana village in Hazara District. Sedimentary structures are

Slickenside, Striation, and step and calcite veins are present. The microfossils are

present in this Formation. The small pits of marls and gypsum sheet are present.(not

observed in Rumli) The age of the Formation is Middle Eocene.

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Chorgali Formation:

The Stratigraphic Committee of Pakistan has formalized the term “Chorgali beds” of

Pascoe (1920) as Chorgali Formation. In Hazara area, the Formation is composed of

thinly inter-bedded limestone and marl.

Observation

The limestone is lightly nodular and contains chert lenses. Chorgali Formation was

observed in Rumli during our fieldwork. It consists of alternative flaggy

beds of shale and limestone. Tectonic nodules of Limestone was observed in Rumli

area. Chorgali Formation is thrusted over Kuldana Formation in Rumli.

The age of the Formation is Early Eocene.

Patala Formation

Patala Formation was observed in Rumli Islamabad during our fieldwork. It was shale

with grayish color having thin beds of limestone throughout its extent, Patala

Formation is conformably overlies Lockhart limestone. We observed that contact in

form of Duplex structure in Rumble .The age of Formation is Early Eocene.

Lockhart Limestone

Davies (1930) introduced the term Lockhart limestone for a Paleocene limestone.

Observation Lockhart limestone was observed in Rumli Islamabad during our field work. It was

limestone with some shale and Calcite veins and Quartz nodules. The limestone is

generally bituminous and gives off fetid odor on the fresh surface.

We observed MBT between Lockhart and Samana Suk Formation in Rumli. It

belongs to middle Paleocene age.

Lumshiwal Formation

Massive bedded sand stone and shale are observed in Rumli.

Observation We observed three different digenetic forms of Lumshiwal Formation in that area

Lumshiwal Formation belongs to middle cretaceous.

Chichali Formation

We observed dark grey to black shale with sand stone. Chichali shale’s have slate like

behavior in Rumli, large amount of oyster shells found in Chichali Formation in that

area. Only upper contact is observed which is gradational with Lumshiwal Formation.

It belongs to early cretaceous age.

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Figure: 9 Muree Formation showing Sandtone In Rumli

Figure: 10 Contact of Kuldana and chorgali Formation In Rumli

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Figure: 11 Contact of Margala Hill Lime stone and chorgali In Rumli

Figure: 12 Out crop of lumshiwal Formation in Rumli

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Figure: 13 Patala Formation in Rumli area

Figure: 12 Contact between Lumshiwal and Chichali Formation In

Rumli

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Figure: 15 out crop of Kuldana Formation in Rumli

Figure:16 Folding of Gypsum in Kuldana Formation in rumli

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Figure: 17 Lockhart Lime stone in Rumli

Figure: 18 Outcrop of chorgali Formation Showing Tectonic Nodules

in Rumli

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Fig: 19 Marghala lime stone in rumli

Fig: 20 Mulasks in Chorgali formation in Rumli

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DAY 3, 22 march 2015

HAZARA AREA

Sedimentation resumed in Hazara with the development of transgressive shoreline and

Hangu Formation was formed in Danian. The Hazara and Kashmir basins and adjacent areas

experienced the last marine incursion at the close of Danian in which a sequence of

carbonates and siliciclastics represented by Lockhart Formation, Patala Formation, Margala

Hill Formation and Chorgali Formation were deposited. This was followed by main collision

between India and Asia sandwiching the Kohistan Island Arc at 40 to 50Ma. This collision

was followed by retreat of sea, uplift of Himalayas, development of a foredeep and

deposition of a fluvial package, by meandering river system, from Himalayan provenance

namely Murree Formation.

Observed Lithology

Rock unit Age

Margala Hill Limestone Late Eocene

Chorgali Formation Early Eocene

Patala Formation Late Paleocene

Lockhart Formation Middle Paleocene

Hangu Formation Early Paleocene

Kawagarh Formation Late Cretaceous

Lumshiwal Formation Middle cretaceous

Chichali Formation Early Cretaceous

Samana Suck

Formation

Late Jurassic

Datta Formation Early Jurassic

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Hazara Formation Pre Cambrian

Hazara Formation

The name “Hazara Formation” has been formalized by Calkin and Ali (1969) for the

“slate series of Hazara” of Middlemiss(1896),and “Hazara slates formation” of marks

(1961), and “Attok slates” of Waagen and Wynne (1872) , and “Hazara group” of

Latif (1970). The Formation has its type locality near Hazara District. Exposure

around Baragali along Abbotabad-Nathiagali Road can be regarded as its type section.

The Formation consists of slate, phyllite and shale with minor occurrences of

limestone and graphite layers. Slate and phyllite are green to dark green and black in

color. Limestone beds with maximum thickness of 150 m and calcareous phyllite

gypsum from 30 to 120m thick are found in southern most hazara. Marks and ali

(1961) regarded the formation as a deep water turbidity current deposit. Calkins

(1969) contended that the beds limestone, graphite and gypsum are unlikely to occur

in a turbidity sequence and regarded the format ion as shallow water argillaceous

sequence. Latif (1970) has reported fossils from the formation similar to protobolella.

Calkin (1969) correlated the formation with Dogra slates and assigned a late

Precambrian age to the hazara formation. Latif (1970) reported fossils showing that it

may be lower Paleozoic in age. Crawford and Davies (1975) determined the age of

the formation by the Rb-Sr method. This age determination place the formation in the

Precambrian.

Datta Formation

In the southeast Hazara the best-developed outcrop of the Formation is exposed at

Jaster Gali on the Abbottabad Nathiagali Road. The Datta Formation in the south-

east Hazara is composed of gritty sublithic arenites, gritty arenites, arenaceous

limestones, oolitic and pelletoidal wackestones packstones with occasional

dolomitic, marly and shaly horizons. The sandstones are cross-bedded at places.

Microconglomerate occurs in the basal portion and contains slate clasts derived from

the underlying Hazara Formation. Laterite bands and coaly layers occur at places.

Fireclay is also intercalated at places. Age of Datta Formation is Early Jurassic.

Samana suk Formation

The Samana Suk Formation generally represents Tidal to supratidal environment. The

Formation is generally medium grey on fresh surface.Massive beds of Samana suk

Formation was exposed near Thai barriers on Dhamtor locality and observed on many

localities along the and across the Dor River. Grey to yellowish limestone was

observed with Oolites and yellow dolomitic

patches, streaks, and bands are also present especially towards the lower and middle

parts.Huge amount of limestone is extracting from that outcrop form construction

material Samana suk Formation has thrusted contact with Kawagarh Formation

Samana suk Formation is in highly deformed condition in that area, many types of

folds and ductile deFormation observed along the Dor River.

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Concentric fold, Chevron folds, Kink fold, Multi Vergent fold Drag folds are

observed. Age of Samana suk Formation is Late Jurassic.

Chichali Formation

Chichali formation has already been reported in salt range section.

Specification in Hazara Area

In southern hazara the formation is divided in to three folds with almost type

section Lithology. In the lower part it consists of glauconitic sandstone with nodular

silty, calcareous, phosphatic base. In the middle part it consists of glauconitic, sandy

shale and dark pyritic unfossiliferous shale in the upper part. In northern hazara the

formation shows a facies change consisting of dark silty shale with some ferruginous

calcareous and phosphatic nodules and is similar to “Spiti Shale” of Himalayas. In

southern hazara it is 33 m thick while in northern hazara its thickness is 34m to 64m.

The lower contact with Samana Suk format ion is disconformable while the upper

contact with Lumshiwal format ion is gradational.

Observation

Chichali formation was observed at Abboatabad nathia gali road during our field

work. It was shale with intercalation of sandstone. Fossils of belemnite were

observed. Ammonoids and belemnites of late Jurassic age have been recorded from

Chichali formation in hazara area. In northern hazara the age of the format ion is Late

Jurassic while in southern hazara the age of the formation is Late Jurassic to Early

Cretaceous.

Lumshiwal Formation

Lumshiwal formation has already been discussed in Ramli section.


The name “Giumal sandstone” was given to the rocks of Lumshiwal formation in

Hazara area by Middlemiss (1896). Cotter (1933) used the name “Main sandstone

series” for the same rocks. Wuch khwar section in Nizampur area and Jhamiri village

on Haripur jabrian Road in Hazara are the reference sections of Lumshiwal formation.

In Hazara area the formation is mostly of marine origin consisting of quartose,

ferruginous sandstone and dark rusty brown sandy limestone. In southern hazara its

thickness is 50 m in northern hazara its thickness varies from 20 m to 10m. The lower

contact with Chichali formation is transitional and upper contact with Kawagarh

formation of upper cretaceous is disconformable.

Observation

The Lumshiwal formation was observed at Ramli during our field. The contact

between Lumshiwal and Kawagarh formation has been marked in Changala Gali. It

was thick bedded sandstone with oyster shells and glauconitic green shale. The upper

most part of formation in northern Hazara has abundant fossil casts of brachiopods,

gastropods and Ammonoids. The age of the formation in Hazara area is lower

cretaceous.

Kawagarh Formation

Thick-bedded grey to olive green micritic (very fine grained) limestone with

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subordinate marl and calcareous shale observed in our fieldwork at locality of Kala

Pani,North of NathiaGali thrust.

Observation

One of the tectonically significant Formations of the Hazara Basin, the Kawagarh

Formation,shows two distinct facies north and south of the Nathiagali Fault. The

northern facies are exposed near Giah, Borian and Kala Pani whereas the southern

facies outcrop at Changla Gali. We observed Kawagarh Formation on Abbotabad

nathia gali road section during our field work.

The Kawagarh Formation in the sections north of the Nathiagali thrust is mainly thick

bedded, fine gained and medium to dark grey limestone. The basal part is relatively

coarse grained on fresh surface. It is whitish grey or yellowish grey on weathered

surface.

The middle part is medium to thick bedded, medium to dark grey and breaks

generally with conchoidal fracture.

The basal portion at Kala Pani is nodular. A few yellow dolomitic bands are also

present within Kawagarh Formation.

South of the Nathia Gali Thrust the upper part of Kawagarh Formation is marly and

intercalations of marl are also present. This part is especially well developed on the

Dunga Gali pipeline road and at Changla Gali. The marly part is dark grey to

yellowish grey on fresh surface and relatively more yellowish on the weathered

surface. The marly part has a dark grey color on the fresh surface. Near Kundla the

base of the Kawagarh Formation has a slightly irregular surface with some pebbles

and few inches to about one foot long worm tracks.

Kawagarh Formation is marked by the occurrence of Globotruncana Helvetica

followed by Globotruncana sigali at Turonian, at Giah, and Kala Pani Sections. Lower

Coniacian is recognized by the presence of Globotruncana sigali in Changla Gali

sections.

Age of Kawagarh Formation is late Cretaceous.

Hangu Formation

We observed black shale, which marks the on set of a transgression that deposited

black shale. The Formation consists of coarse to fine grained clay/iron oxides

cemented quartz arenites at the base which grades to silty coal to the top. The top of

the Hangu Formation contains bauxitic clays that vary in color from off-white to

black and weathers to rusty grey to orange. Subordinate carbonaceous shales and

sandstones are also present at places. Hangu Formation also exposed on that road

section, coal is mining from Hangu Formation along the Dor River.

Hangu Formation has disconformable contact with Cretaceous Kawagarh Formation.

Age of Hangu Formation is Early Paleocene.

Lockhart Limestone

Lockhart limestone has already been discussed in salt range section.

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Davies (1930) introduced the term Lockhart limestone for a Paleocene limestone unit

in Kohat area and usage has been extended by Stratigraphic committee of Pakistan to

similar units in Hazara area. In the Hazara area limestone is dark grey and black in

colour and contains intercalation of shale and marl. The limestone is generally

bituminous and gives off fetid odor on the fresh surface. The thickness of unit is 242m

in Hazara area. The formation conformably and transitionally overlies and underlies

the hungu formation and Patala formation respectively

Patala Formation

The Formation is composed of shale and occasional limestone bands with abundant

larger benthic foraminifera. The shales are khaki, yellowish brown to yellowish grey

on weathered surface and on the fresh surface they are khaki to grey. At other places,

the shales are greenish brown or greenish grey on fresh surface and brown to dark

brown on the weathered surface. The shales are splintery and some marly bands near

the contact with the Lockhart limestone are present. At Lora Maqsood road it has

gradational contact with Lockhart limestone. Age of Patala Formation is upper

Paleocene to lower Eocene age.

Chorgali Formation

The Formation outcrop observed near Changla gali, south of the Nathiagali Fault in

the Hazara Basin. The Formation comprises of limestone, marls and shales. The shale

is khaki to off-whitish grey. The limestones are light grey on fresh surface, weather to

pale grey and are nodular. The size of the nodules is smaller than that of Lockhart

limestone or Margala Hill Formations. They generally contain marl around the

nodules. The limestone is rarely massive and generally shows a flaggy habit. The

flaggy habit is due to the increasing marly intercalations. At places, the Limestones

are fine grained and break with conchoidal fracture. Occasionally, these limestones

weather to a chalky appearance. The marls are generally cream to off-white in color

and sometimes give light shades of grey. The Margala Hill Formation passes upwards

with a gradual change of facies into the Chorgali Formation.

Age of Chorgali Formation is early to Middle Eocene.

Margala Hill Limestone

The Formation is mainly a fossiliferous, medium grained to fine grained nodular

limestone with marly horizons. It is bluish grey and yellowish grey on the weathered

surface and on the fresh surface is generally dark to blackish grey. The lower part may

contain frequent marly horizons. The nodularity of Margala Hill Limestone is more

prominent as compared to the Lockhart limestone. Generally the limestone is medium

grained but fine-grained horizons occur which may break with sub-conchoidal

fracture. We observed this Formation near Khaira gali during our field work

Age of Margala Hill Limestone is Middle to Late Eocene.

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Figure: 21 Hazara slate at Nathiagalia Road section

Figure: 22 Dolomtization in samna suck Formation Nathia gali

road

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Figure: 23 Kawagarh Formation at nathia gali road section

Figure: 24 Contact Between Hangu and Lockhart

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Figure: 25 Margala Hill limestone near NathiaGali

Figure: 26 Chichali formation near On NathiaGali Road

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Figure: 27 Lumshiwal Formation Exposed In Nala along Nathia

Gali Road

Figure: 28 Chorgali formation deformed due to NGT near Nathia

Gali

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Chapter # 3

STRUCTURE OF

THE FIELD AREAS

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Tectonic Framework of Pakistan

In the late Cretaceous Period about 90 million years ago, subsequent to the splitting

off from Gondwanaland of conjoined Madagascar and India, the Indian Plate split

from Madagascar. It began moving north, at about 20 cm/yr (8 in/yr), and is believed

to have begun colliding with Asia between 50 and 55 million years ago, in the Eocene

epoch of the Cenozoic Era, although this is contested, with some authors suggesting

it was much later at around 35 million years ago. If the collision occurred between 50

and 55 Ma, the Indian Plate would have covered a distance of 2,000 to 3,000 km

(1,200 to 1,900 mi), moving faster than any other known plate. In 2007, German

geologists suggested that the reason the Indian Plate moved so quickly is that it is

only half as thick as the other plates, which formerly constituted Gondwanaland. The

collision with the Eurasian Plate along the boundary between India and Nepal

formed the orogenic belt that created the Tibetan Plateau and the Himalaya

Mountains, as sediment bunched up like earth before a plow.

There are five major thrust system forms due to this collision.

MKT (MAIN KARAKORUM THRUST)

MMT (MAIN MANTLE THRUST)

MCT (MAIN CENTRAL THRUST)

MBT (MAIN BOUNDARY THRUST)

SRT (SALT RANGE THRUST

The Indian Plate is currently moving northeast at 5 cm/yr (2 in/yr), while the Eurasian

Plate is moving north at only 2 cm/yr (0.8 in/yr). This is causing the Eurasian Plate to

deform and the India Plate to compress at a rate of 4 m/yr (0.15 in/yr).

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Formation of Thrusts by collision of Indian plate and Eurasian plate

MKT (Main Karakorum Thrust)

MKT is oldest thrust system form by collision of Eurasian and Indian plates, world

highest peak Mount Everest from due to Formation of MKT, and called as northern

suture zone. MMT (Main Mantle Thrust)

Main mantle thrust form after the MKT; mean its younger then MKT. higher

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Himalayas present between MMT & MCT. It formed by continental vs. continental

collision of Indian and Eurasian plate. It contains a syntaxes structure.

MMT also called as southern suture zone. We observed MMT at locality of Basham

at Karakorum highway during our field work. MCT (Main central Thrust)

MCT is present in north of MBT. Main central thrust is younger then MMT MCT is southern suture zone.

MBT (Main boundary Thrust)

The Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) is a regional thrust dipping northward and oriented

subparallel to the MMT. It is located at the northern margin of Indian Plate and is

younger to MMT in age. It comprises a set of north-dipping faults and forms a

boundary between the Sub Himalayas and the Lesser Himalayas. It has generated

low to moderately high and frequent seismicity, with characteristically shallow focal

depths. MBT is present in the north of salt range thrust and it is older than S.R.T.

During our field we marked MBT in Rumli (Islamabad) where Eocene Samana suk

Formations thrusted over Paleocene Lockhart Limestone. Panjal Thrust Structure

The Panjal Thrust structure is sited parallel to MBT on the eastern limb of the

Syntaxes. The Panjal Thrust probably separates from MBT about 6 km south of

Balakot and continues beneath Kaghan Valley alluvium up to Ghari Habib Ullah.

Panjal Thrust is an active fault and represents southeastern tectonics of the area.

Panjal Fault appears as reverse fault with strike-slip component, in the south of

Abbottabad. Panjal thrust divide lesser Himalayas into two parts Southern sedimentary zone/Southern Hazara

Also called as Attock Hazara Fold and Thrust belt. Northern Igneous and Metamorphic zone/Northern Hazara NathiaGali Thrust

Another thrust in between Panjal thrust and MBT that is known as NathiaGali thrust.

Hazara slates are not present in south of Nathia Gali thrust. NGT was marked near

Nathia Gali during our field work where Precambrian Hazara Formation thrusted

over Eocene Chorgali Formation. Salt Range Thrust

Salt range thrust is a sequence of folds and fault belts that produced due to collision

of Eurasian plate and Indian plate. It is youngest thrust system in Pakistan about 0.5

Ma old. SRT dip toward MBT in northward and it extend from Jhelum River in the

east, to Indus River in west. It bounded by Jhelum (L.L) strike slip fault in the east and

Kalabagh (R.L) strike slip fault in west.

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Tectonic map of Pakistan (After McDoughal and Khan, 1990)

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Structure of Field Area:

Our field work area is structurally very complex due to major thrust system. Rocks

were in highly deformed and many type of structures such as folds faults were

observed during our field work.

We observed the following structure during our field work.

Fig29: Normal Fault in Eocene and Permian Rocks at shoa sadden shah

road

Fig30: Normal Fault in Tobra and Baghanwal Formation

Fig31: Recumbent Fold in marghala hill lime stone at rumli

Fig32: Superimposed fold in marghala hill lime stone at rumli

Fig33: Anticline Tight Fold in marghala hill lime stone at rumli

Fig34: Class 1B Fold in Marghala hill lime stone at rumli

Fig35: MBT between samana Suck Formation and lockhart lime stone

Fig36: NGT between Chor gali and Hazara slate at Nathia Gali raod

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Fig: 29 Normal fault in Eocene and and Permian rocks at choa

sadden road

Fig: 30 Normal Fault in Tobra and Baghanwala formation at whali

bala

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Fig: 31 Recumbent Fold in Marghala hill lime stone at Rumli

Fig: 32 Superimposed Fold in Marghala Hill lime stone at Rumli

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Fig: 33 Anticline tight fold in Marghala Hill lime stone at rumli

Fig: 34 Class 1B fold in Marghala hill lime stone at rumli

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Fig: 35 MBT Between samana suck Formation and Lockhart

Limestone at rumli

Fig: 36 NGT Between Chorgali and Hazara slate at nathiagali road

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Chapter#4 Geological mapping

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DAY 4TH AND 5TH 23, 24 March 2015

Introduction to Geological Mapping Map is a representation of large area and its features on a piece of paper or chart.

Map is helpful in finding a particular point or an area in large outcrops. In Geology,

we use topographic maps to show geography of a particular area. A base map is one

on which we plot our geological observations on. During mapping we keep a certain

scale like 1:25,000. This scale depends upon the distance we are mapping. Larger the

distance, larger will be the scale. Pace and compass mapping is a simple type of

mapping in which, by only taking bearing using the compass, we can map any area or

locality. It is easy because no equipment or manpower is needed. You yourself can

map any area with no trouble. It is simplest way of locating your point of interest.

Mapping Locality

We done mapping in the Rumbli (Islamabad) and OGHI KHAKI road section. The

tracks were all zigzag and we took readings and noted down their features, and dip

strike. At Rumbli we mapped the rock unit from Margalla Hill Limestone to Samana

suk Formation.In 2nd area we map all the road section which contain rock units from

Precambrian Tanawal Formation, to sussal Gali granet We also mark many types of

folds and small faults in mapping area,we observed drag folds, carinate fold,

concentric fold in Samana suk Formation on Dhamtour-NathiaGali road. A drag fold

was also observed in Rumli, between Lockhart Limestone and Patala Formation

Scale

Maps are prepared on scale of 1:25,000; mean 1 inch on map is equals to 25,000

inches on ground. Maps:

Geological map of Rumli (Islamabad), Lesser Himalayas. Geological map of oghi khaki road

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Refrence

1. Abbas, S. G. and Ahmad, Z 1979. The Muslimbag

ophiolites. In: Farah, A. abd Dejong, K.A.(esd)

Geodynamics of Pakistan. Geol.surv.pak,Quetta 243-

249

2. Geology of Pakistan edited by F.K

Bender,H.Bender,F.Geuneberg A.H.Kazmi,H.A Raza

and F.A Shams

3. Stratigraphy of Pakistan GSP Memoirs VOL.22 by S.M

Ibrahim Shah

4. www.geology.com

5. Gill, W. D., 1952, The stratigraphy of the Siwalik

Series in the northern Potwar, Punjab, Pakistan:

Geol. Soc. London Quart. Jour., v.107, pt. 4, no. 428,

p. 375-394.

6. Stratigraphic Nomenclature Committee on Pakistan,

1962, Stratigraphic code of Pakistan: Pakistan Geol.

Survey Mem., v. 4, pt. 1,8 p

http://www.geology.com/

geological field report

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