ABSTRACT

A brief geological
report written after
the tours held in
the areas of Salt
Range, Hazara,
Nathia Gali and
Jabri etc

Junaid - [2015]
Geology

FIELD REPORT
Structures, faults. Contact and lithology

GEOLOGICAL FIELD REPORt

TO BE SUBMITTED
SIR ZAHID NAVEED

SUBMITTED BY:
MUHAMMAD JUNAID YOUNIS
BGLF12MO28
BS GEOLOGY {4

th

Semester}

2012-2016

Department Of Earth-Sciences

University Of Sargodha
Sargodha
1

Contents
Dedication ...................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ................................................................................................................................... 6
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................. 8
1.1 Five days of Field Work in Salt Range and in Hazara Area. .................................................................... 8
PHYSIOGRAPHY ............................................................................................................................................. 9
2.1 PHYSIOGRAPHY OF SALT RANGE............................................................................................................. 9
2.2 CLIMATIC CONDITIONS ........................................................................................................................... 9
2.3 TOPOGRAPHY ........................................................................................................................................ 10
STRATIGRAPHY ............................................................................................................................................ 11
3.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 11
3.1.1 HIMALAYAS .................................................................................................................................... 12
3.1.2 MAIN MANTLE THRUST.................................................................................................................. 12
3.1.3 Main Boundary thrust .................................................................................................................... 12
3.1.4 Salt Range Thrust ........................................................................................................................... 13
Table1: Stratigraphic Sequence In the Salt Range ..................................................................................... 14
THE INTRODUCTION OF HAZARA AREA ...................................................................................................... 19
3.5.1 STRATIGRAPHIC SEQUENCE OF HAZARA ....................................................................................... 19
F O R M A T I O N N A M E ..................................................................................................................... 19
A G E .......................................................................................................................................................... 19
KHEWRA GORGE AND CHOA SAIDAN SHAH ROAD, ROAD SECTION .......................................................... 21
OBSERVED LITHOLOGY............................................................................................................................ 21
BILLIANWALA SALT MEMBER.................................................................................................................. 22
BANDAR KAS GYPSUM MEMBER.. .......................................................................................................... 22
SAHWAL MARL MEMBER.. ...................................................................................................................... 22
KHEWRA SANDSTONE ................................................................................................................................. 22
KUSSAK FORMATION .................................................................................................................................. 23
JUTANA FORMATION .................................................................................................................................. 23
BAGHANWALA FORMATION ...................................................................................................................... 23
TOBRA FORMATION .................................................................................................................................... 23
TILLITIC FACIES ........................................................................................................................................ 24

FRESH WATER FACIES ............................................................................................................................. 24

COMPLEX FACIES..................................................................................................................................... 24
DANDOT FORMATION................................................................................................................................. 24
PATALA FORMATION .................................................................................................................................. 24
NAMMAL FORMATION ............................................................................................................................... 25
SAKESAR LIMESTONE .................................................................................................................................. 25
INTRODUCTION OF NAMMAL GORGE ........................................................................................................ 26
AMB FORMATION ....................................................................................................................................... 27
WARGAL LIMESTONE .................................................................................................................................. 27
CHIDDRU FORMATION ................................................................................................................................ 27
MIANWALI FORMATION ............................................................................................................................. 28
Kathwai Member. ................................................................................................................................... 28
Mittiwali Member ................................................................................................................................... 28
Narmia Member...................................................................................................................................... 28
TREDIAN FORMATION................................................................................................................................. 28
Khatkiara Member .................................................................................................................................. 28
Landa Member ........................................................................................................................................ 28
KINGRIALI FORMATION............................................................................................................................... 29
Lower Part. .............................................................................................................................................. 29
Upper part ............................................................................................................................................... 29
DATTA FORMATION .................................................................................................................................... 29
SAMANA SUK FORMATION ......................................................................................................................... 30
HANGU FORMATION................................................................................................................................... 30
NAMMAL RANGE ........................................................................................................................................ 31
HAZARA AREA ALONG VARIOUS ROAD SECTION ........................................................................................ 32
STARTIGRAPHIC NOTES OF OBSERVED FORMATIONS OF .......................................................................... 32
HAZARA FORMATION.................................................................................................................................. 32
Samana Suk Limestone ............................................................................................................................... 32
Hangu Formation ........................................................................................................................................ 33
Kawagarh Limestone ................................................................................................................................... 33
Chichali Formation ...................................................................................................................................... 33

Lumshiwal Formation ................................................................................................................................. 33

Margalla Hill Limestone .............................................................................................................................. 33
MANSHERA,BALAKOT AND OOGI,KHAKI ROAD SECTION ........................................................................... 34
Tanawal Formation ..................................................................................................................................... 34
Mansehra Granite ....................................................................................................................................... 34
Chitta Watta Feldspar ................................................................................................................................. 34
TANAWAL MICA SCHIST .............................................................................................................................. 35
MURREE FORMATION ................................................................................................................................. 35
OOGI KHAKI ROAD ...................................................................................................................................... 35
CHLORITE MICA SCHIST........................................................................................................................... 35
GARNET MICA SCHIST ............................................................................................................................. 35
GRANITE GNEISS ..................................................................................................................................... 35
HAVELIAN,LORA MAQSOOD ROAD,JABBRI ................................................................................................. 36
HAZARA FORMATION.................................................................................................................................. 36
LUMSHIWAL FORMATION........................................................................................................................... 36
KAWAGARH FORMATION ........................................................................................................................... 37
CHICHALI FORMATION ................................................................................................................................ 37
SAMANA SUK FORMATION ......................................................................................................................... 37
LOCKHART LIMESTONE ............................................................................................................................... 37
PATALA FORMATION .................................................................................................................................. 37
DAY 01 Photo gallery................................................................................................................................... 38
Day 2 Photo gallery ..................................................................................................................................... 46
Day 3 Photo gallery ..................................................................................................................................... 52
HAZARA AREA ......................................................................................................................................... 52
Sedimentary structures............................................................................................................................... 57
REFERENCE .................................................................................................................................................. 59

Dedication
This piece of work is dedicated to
Our parents Mr & Mrs Muhammad Younis

To our parents, who are the real source

of inspiration for us whos many
Sacrifices made everything possible.

To my Brother Mr. Tanzab Younis who

Showed some things worth
thinking about.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We seek Gods Protection against the evil mind and In the name of Thy Lord the Merciful the
Kind, to whom all praises belong.

First thing first, first of all I would like to the Holy Lord, Who made to watch the places
that I have never seen in life. I would like to acknowledge hereby to all the faculty members of
the department, especially the Chairman Dr. Khalid Mehmood, The Associate Professor Zahid
Naveed, The Assistant Professor Saif ur Rahman and the One who always was by us throughout
the field tour and tried his level best to make us understand the features that came across his
eyes, Sir Kashif Yaqoob.

OBJECTIVES
o The objective of our field trip was to study and observe the lithology,
depositional condition, sedimentary structures, rock types, contacts
and fossils of these areas.
o The objective of our field trip was to identify rocks and rock types
which have Economical importance.
o Another objective of our field trip was to enhance our knowledge and
to strong our grip on stratigraphy subject and to study the structure.

CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Five days of Field Work in Salt Range and in Hazara Area.
Department of Earth Sciences University of Sargodha arranged field trip of five days in
Salt Range, Nammal Gorge and Hazara Area. Areas of salt range and Hazara are easily
accessible.We Visited Khewra gorge and Nammal gorge earlier because of weather conditions,
and remaining field trip we started early in the morning through university bus.The journey was
pleasant and smooth .the field which we visited was unsteady ; rocky along the mountains.
On the first day 7th March 2014 of our field we move along Punjab plain and enter the
thrusted part which is khewra gorge known as museum of Geology. We observed salt range
formation of Pre.cambrian age and whole Jhelum group which is of Cambrian age then we field
along Choa Saidan shah road section and observed Tobra ,Dandot ,Baghanwala formations, the
climate was moderate .
On next week 15th March 2014, we started again early in the morning and went to
Nammal Gorge there we observe Mianawali ,Kingriali,Tredian,Lockhart,Nammal,Lumshiwal,
formations.
After end of semester 20th March 2015 to 23rd March 2015, we went to Hazara range, we
stayed three nights at hotel in Abbottabad.
On first day 21st March 2015, we covered Nathia Gali section and distinguished among
four different types of limestones.
On 2nd day, 22nd March 2015, we visited Balakot and Mansehra and observed
Kawagarh,Tanawal.Chichali,Murree and Mansehra granite and Hazara formations metamorphic
rocks.We also visited Oggi Khaki road and observered different types of metamorphic structures.
On 3rd day 23rd March 2015, we covered Jabri Kohala section in which we observe
Lumshiwal,Kawagarh,Chichali and Samana suk formations.

CHAPTER 2
PHYSIOGRAPHY

2.1 PHYSIOGRAPHY OF SALT RANGE

The salt range is a hill system in punajb province.Its famous for its Rock contains
extensive deposits of Salt.It ranges from river Jhelum upto Indus in Kalabagh area.
Sakesar is the highest peak of area.
Khabeki, Uchali, Kallar kahar are the Famous Lakes in salt range.
Geographically, salt range is located between 320 23-330 00 N and 710 30-730 30 E. It covers
an area of around 150 miles from east to west. Its name is taken as for being rich in salt. It have
the 2nd largest salt producing mine in the world at locality of Khewra Town. Due To its
importance of having all formations from pre Cambrian to present its been called MEUSEUM
OF GEOLOGY

2.2 CLIMATIC CONDITIONS

Climate in salt range remain moderate to hot during the summer season and its severe
cold during the winter. The average rainfall is relatively low as compared to other hilly areas
and its about 50cm annually.
Temperature remains extreme hot in the months of June to august otherwise it is mostly
remain pleasant throughout the year.

2.3 TOPOGRAPHY
Sandstone and limestone are the common rock types of salt range. The
sandstone is white or cream, dark red or purple brown color depending on type
locality. Soil of salt range is heavily infested with salt along its route. The
weathering of pure limestone leaves no perceptible soil as Calcium Carbonate is
carried away in solution by rain water. Most of soil present in valleys between
Range Mountains is water eroded soil.
A lot of fauna and flora is present in the salt range, among of them some are rare
and have great Geologic and Paleontological value.

10

CHAPTER 3
STRATIGRAPHY

3.1 Introduction

Figure Pakistan major thrusts

Himalayas
Main mantle Thrust

11

Main Boundary Thrust

Salt Range Thrust

3.1.1 HIMALAYAS
The Himalayas are among the youngest mountain ranges on the planet and consist mostly
of uplifted sedimentary and metamorphic rock. According to the modern theory of plate
tectonics, their formation is a result of a continental collision or orogeny along the convergent
boundary between the Indo-Australian Plate and the Eurasian Plate. This is referred to as a fold
mountain.
The collision began in the Upper Cretaceous period about 70 million years ago, when the
north-moving Indo-Australian Plate, moving at about 15 cm per year, collided with the Eurasian
Plate. About 50 million years ago, this fast moving Indo-Australian plate had completely closed
the Tethys Ocean, the existence of which has been determined by sedimentary rocks settled on
the ocean floor, and the volcanoes that fringed its edges. Since these sediments were light, they
crumpled into mountain ranges rather than sinking to the floor. The Indo-Australian plate
continues to be driven horizontally below the Tibetan plateau, which forces the plateau to move
upwards. The ArakanYoma highlands in Myanmar and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in
the Bay of Bengal were also formed as a result of this collision.
The Indo-Australian plate is still moving at 67 mm per year, and over the next 10 million
years it will travel about 1,500 km into Asia. About 20 mm per year of the India-Asia
convergence is absorbed by thrusting along the Himalaya southern front. This leads to the
Himalayas rising by about 5 mm per year, making them geologically active. The movement of
the Indian plate into the Asian plate also makes this region seismically active, leading
to earthquakes from time to time.

3.1.2 MAIN MANTLE THRUST

The main mantle thrust bounds the KIA to the south and the Indian plateau to the north,it
formed as a result of collision and subduction of Indian plate underneath KIA during Eocene
time (Ganser 1981).The main mantle thrust dips north words between 25 to 45 degrees and in the
southern most thrust involving lower crust crystalline rocks of the Indo Pakistani shield. The
MMT which borders its northern margin ,exhibits major swing in its trends towards northeast
giving rise to re-entrant within the kia sequence .this re-entrant called by Nanga Parbat-haramosh
massif and is composed of more than 15 km thick proterozoic gneisses and schists(Madin ,1986)

3.1.3 Main Boundary thrust

Three independent data sets from north western India and Pakistan suggest initial
displacement along >1000 km of the Main Boundary thrust prior to 10 Ma, at least 5 M yrs.
earlier than previously reported. Regionally extensive changes in the depositional characteristics

12

and rates of the foreland-basin fill between 11 and 9.5 Ma are interpreted to reflect new
hinterland loading due to the formation of the Main Boundary thrust. Sediment-accumulation
rates, sandstone-siltstone ratios, and thickness and amalgamation of individual sandstone bodies
all substantially increase after 11 Main well-dated stratigraphic sections from Pakistan to Nepal
across the Indo-Gangetic foreland basin.
In the Himachal Pradesh re-entrant of northwestern India, a newly discovered 8.7 Ma
conglomerate derived from the hanging wall of the Main Boundary thrust indicates that sourcearea uplift and denudation must have occurred prior to 9 Ma and probably prior to 10 Ma,
assuming a gravel progradation rate of 3 cm/yr. Three apatite fission-track ages from structures
at the leading edge of the Main Boundary thrust in the Kohat region of northwest Pakistan
indicate that rapid cooling below 105 C between 8 and 10 Ma followed bedrock uplift and
erosion that began 12 m.y. earlier. These data indicate that the Main Boundary thrust in the
western Himalaya formed synchronously along strike in the middle-late Miocene, has a
displacement rate of 10 mm/yr, and has a displacement history that is coeval with late
displacement on the Main Central thrust.

3.1.4 Salt Range Thrust

In the northern areas of Pakistan most of the youngest thrusting has occurred along the
frontal thrust system in Salt Range along SRT in the east and in Trans Indus ranges (TIRT) in the
west. The frontal thrust system has accommodated about 20km of shortening of salt range and 10
km in the trans Indus ranges .Along this thrust front the Eocambrian Salt Range Formation in the
salt Range. Precambrian rocks in the surghar range and the Cambrian Jhelum Group rocks in the
khisor Range and the thrust over the Punjab Fore deep in the south.
The Salt Range and Potwar Plateau are part of the active foreland fold-and-thrust belt of
the Himalaya in northern Pakistan. In this region the distance from the Main Boundary Thrust
(MBT) to the front of the fold-and-thrust belt is very wide (100150 km) because a thick
evaporite sequence forms the zone of dcollement. Recent studies have combined seismic
reflection profiles, petroleum exploration wells, Bouguer gravity anomalies, and surface geology
to construct cross sections in the eastern, central, and western Salt Range-Potwar Plateau areas.
In this study the sections are compared with a model that considers the mechanics of a fold-andthrust belt to be analogous to that of a wedge of snow or soil pushed in front of a bulldozer
(Chapple, 1978; Davis et al., 1983; Dahlen et al., 1984; Dahlen, 1984). Models which include the
effects of evaporites at the base (Chapple, 1978; Davis and Engelder, 1985).

13

Table1: Stratigraphic Sequence In the Salt Range

Age
Group and Formation
Type of formation
Recent
Alluvium
Alluvial
deposits,
boulder fans
Pleistocene and late Kalabagh Conglomerates Brown
and
gray
Pliocene
(Naushahra Sandstone) conglomerates
with
and Conglomerates
sandstone and clay
interbeds

Major Unconformity

Late Miocene

Soan Formation

Siwalik Group

Pliocene and late

Miocene

DhokPathan Formation

Middle Miocene

Rawalpindi group

Nagri formation

Chinji Formation
Kamlial Formation

Early Miocene
Murree Formation

Light
colored
sandstone
and
conglomerates, light
red and gray clays
Red, brown clays
with
gray
sandstones
,
conglomeratic near
Indus
greenish
gray
sandstones
and
clays Conglomeratic
near Indus
Bright, red clays
with sandstone
Massive red and
brown sandstones
dark red clays
Massive sandstones
dark
red
and
purplish clay shales

14

basal Conglomerate

oup

Paleocene

Makarwal group

Early Eocene

Chharatgroup

Major Unconformity
ChorGali
Formation
(Bhadar Beds)
Sakesar
Formation
Nammal
Formation
Patala
Formation
Lockhart
Formation
(Khairabad)
Hangu
Formation
(Dhak Pass)

Olive green shales with bedded

limestone
Massive and nodular limestone
with mails chart in upper part
Light gray calcareous shales
and limestone
Green shales with coal seam in
east thin limestone
Gray semi nodular and marly
limestone
Impure lime stones sandstones
and shale often carbonaceous

Early cretaceous

Early cretaceous
and late Jurassic

Surghar Group

Major Conformity
Lumshiwal Formation

Chichali Formation
(Belemnito Beds)

Light
colored
sandstones with
carbonaceous
bands
Dark green to
black glauconitic
shales
and
sandstones

15

Unconformity
Samana Suk Formation
(baroch limestones)
Baroch Group

Middle Jurassic

Early Jurassic

Gray and purple

bedded limestone
with
shale
interbeds
ShinawariFormation
Alternating
limestone shale and
silts
stone
sandstone at top
DattaFormation(Variegated Sandstones
with
Beds)
limestone
carbonaceous
shales and lateritic

Late triassic

Middle
Triassic
Early Triassic

Musa Khel group

Unconformity
KingrialiFormation Massive light colored dolomite
(kingriali Dolomite) and dolomite limestone with
sandstones
TredianFormation Massive gray and purplish
(Kingriali
sandstones
with
thin
Sandstone)
carbonaceous bands
MianwaliFormation Olive greensand gray shales
(Ceralita Beds)
with
thin
limestone
and
sandstones

16

Late
Permian

Zaluch Group

Para-Conformity

Nilawahan
Group

Early
Permian

Early Permian
(continued)

Chhidru Formation
(up. Products)
WargalFormation
(Middle Products)

Limestone marl and

calcareous sandstone
Massive gray limestone
occasional
thin
carbonaceous shale at
base
AmbFormation
Calcareous sandstone
(Lower Products)
and impure limestone
carbonaceous
shale
interbeds
SardhaiFormation
Dark
purple
and
(Lower Products)
lavender clays with
subordinate
sandstones
SardhaiFormation
Red and light colored
(lavender clays)
sandstones and grits in
part
arkoses
clay
interbeds
WarchhaFormation
Olive green and gray
(speckled sandstones)
sandstones and shales
occasionally
carbonaceous
Tobra Formation
Conglomeratic
(Talchir bed conglomerates) sandstone
and
shales,
boulder
mainly igneous or
metamorphic.

17

Major Unconformity
Baghanawala
salt Formation
(salt
Pseudomorphs
beds)
JutanaFormation
(magnesian
sandstone)
KussakFormation
(neobolus beds)
Jhelum group

Middle and early

Cambrian

Pre-Cambrian

Khewra
Formation
(purple
sandstone)
Salt
range
Formation
(Punjab
saline
series)

Blood
red
and
sandstone;
with
Pseudomorphs

flaggy
salt

Massive light colored dolomite

and dolomitic sandstone; sub
ordinate shale
Gray and purplish shale and
glauconitic
sandstone
subordinate pebble bed at
base
Massive maroon line textured
sandstone; maroon shale and
lags below
Red gypseous marl with
rocksalt;gypsum
dolomite
above; occasional oil shale
khewra trap in the east

18

THE INTRODUCTION OF HAZARA AREA

The Hazara Arc, a northeast to southwest trending crescent-shaped trough, forms the
western border of the Hazara-Kashmir Syntaxis. It is the northern most extremity of the
sedimentary successions along the northern margin of the Indian plate. Its northern margin is
bounded by the panjal thrust which separates its sedimentary geology from the low-grade
metamorphic (Tanawal formation). It is separated from the neighboring potwar basin on its
southern side, by the Murreefault(main boundary thrust---MBT). The town Balakot, a gateway to
the higher Himalayas (kaghan valley), forms the northern tip of the Hazara Arc.
The main highway from Rawalpindi to Peshawar is the dividing linebetween the western
limit of the Hazara Arc (hitberto as the Margala Hills) and the Eastern-western trending
kalachitta range at a location where the mountainous belt is abruptly rising above the potwar
basin. The purpose of the present contribution is to highlight some of the geological aspects of
the Hazara Arc with reference to its basinal evolution and stratigraphic framework.

3.5.1 STRATIGRAPHIC SEQUENCE OF HAZARA

FORMATION NAME

AGE

Murree Formation

Early Miocene

Kuldana Formation

Middle Eocene

Chorgali Formation

Early to Middle Eocene

Margala Hill Formation

Early Eocene

Patala formation

Late Paleocene

Lockhart limestone

Middle Paleocene

Hangu formation

Early Paleocene
DISCONFORMITY

19

Kawagarh Formation
Lumshiwal formation

Late Cretaceous
Early Cretaceous

Chichali formation
Late Jurassic & Early Cretaceous
DISCONFORMITY
Samanasuk formation

Middle Jurassic

Datta formation

Early Jurassic

DISCONFORMITY
Hazira Formation

Early Cambrian

Abbottabad Formation

Cambrian
UNCONFORMITY

Tanawal Formation

Cambrian

Hazara Formation
Precambrian (Age Controversy)

20

Chapter 4
OBSERVATIONS
Day 1
KHEWRA GORGE AND CHOA SAIDAN SHAH ROAD, ROAD SECTION
So the day we all were dreaming of came on 7th March 2014, when we set off to Khewra
Gorge in khewra Town in Universty Transport.We Left university Gate at 8o clock and reached
near khewra after a travel of 1 45 minutes. A few kilometer away from khewra we stop at a
plain area where we mark the SRT and our instructor elaborated about this thrust in detail.
After getting the lecture we marked the contact by taking some snap of the plain area and the
thrust.
After taking snap we again sat in the bus and starts heading towards our destination,after
travelling few Km, we reached Khewra town and parked our bus overthere. All the students
take a quick glimpse of the area, the area was covered with hills. Our instructor told us to follow
him so we do the same and step into the khewra Gorge.
The first formation we observed was the SALT RANGE FORMATION. Its type locality is Khewra
Gorge and it was given the name by SCP.First it was known as Punjab Saline Series that name
was given by DR.GEE in 1945. Now lets talk about the Lithology of this formation. Basically it is
comprised of gypsum, dolomite and some oily shales. The lower part composed of red
gypseous marl with thick seams of salt. Greenish clay and low grade oil shales are constituents
of upper part.

OBSERVED LITHOLOGY.
We observed a highly weathered igneous body known as KHEWRITE in salt range formation .Its
composed of highly radiating needles called pyroxene.
SALT RANGE FORMATION MEMBERS
1.BILLIANWALA SALT MEMBER

21

2.BANDAR KAS GYPSUM MEMBER

3.SAHWAL MARL MEMBER

BILLIANWALA SALT MEMBER..

This member contains marl with salt seams.Color of salt seam is purple,white and
yellowish white.Its oldest member of Salt Range Formation.

BANDAR KAS GYPSUM MEMBER..

This member contains massive gypsum beds with dolomitic clay.Gypsum color is
white.Its widely distributed in the salt range.

SAHWAL MARL MEMBER..

Its Younger member of the formation.Its basically comprised of Marl but evaporatic
facies are also present.

KHEWRA SANDSTONE
Its type locality is khewra gorge in khewra town in eastern salt range. First name
assigned to it was khewra group by noetling and waynne called it purple sandstone series. Later
on SCP named it Khewra Sandstone. Talking about its lithology it consist of purple to brown,
fine sandstone. Flaggy shales in lower parts. Its widely distributed throughout the salt range.Its
thickness is about 150m at type locality. Thick to massive beds of sandstone,sedimentary
structures like ripples mark, cross bedding and mud cracks are reported here. Few trace fossils
are also reported.

22

KUSSAK FORMATION
Its type locality is Kussak Fort in eastern salt range. It was first given the name obulus
beds by Wynne and Waggen named it neobulus. Noetling named it Kussak group and finally
SCP named it kussak formation. Glauconitic, micaceous sandstone, siltstone and with some
dolomite is found. The formation contain 5 to 25 cm long lenses of fossil asphalt.Thickness at
type locality is 70m,in khisor range 55m.
This formation is mainly composed of greenish grey, fine to medium sandstone, siltstone and
shales.

JUTANA FORMATION
The type locality of this formation lier near jutana village in eatern salt range.
Fleming named this as Magnesium sandstone. Noetling formalized it as Jutana Stage. The
SCP named it Jutana Formation.
As far as the lithology is concerned lower part comprises of light green, hard, massive,
sandy dolomite. Upper part is composed of green to dirty white dolomite.Jutana formation is
thickest at type locality i.e 80m.The observed lithology is pink to light green dolomite. Fresh
color is yellowish green and weathered is reddish brown.

BAGHANWALA FORMATION
This type section is located near Baghanwala Village in eastern salt range. Due to
presence of Salt pseudo morph Wynne named this unit as Pesudomorph salt crystal zone.
Noetling named it Baghanwala Group. Now the name Baghanwala Formation is used in
particular.
Intersecting lithology of the formation, It consist of red shales and clays. Flaggy sandstone is
also present and exhibits several colors including pink, green or blue. Some sedimentary
structures like ripples marks, mud cracks are common in this formation. Numerous crystal of
pseudomorph salt are found along the bedding plane. Baghanwala formation have evaporitic
facies. The formation has intraformational fault.

TOBRA FORMATION
It is the lowest formation of Nilawahan group. The first name was assingned by DR.Gee
as Tulchir Boulder Beds. The type locality of the formation is Tobra village .Lithological its very
much mixed in which three facies are recognized

23

TILLITIC FACIES
These are exposed in eastern salt range, This rock unit grades into marine
sandstone.

FRESH WATER FACIES

These facies with few or no boulders. It is alternating facies of siltstone and shale
containing spore flora.

COMPLEX FACIES
A complex facies of diamictic sandstone and boulder beds, the unit increases in
thickness towards western salt range.
This formation composed of gravels, pebbles, boulders and gritz of different sizes. Boulders
and gravels are mainly composed of acidic igneous origin. Plagioclase or blackish biotite having
porphyritic texture.

DANDOT FORMATION
This formation was named by Noetling as Dandot group,this formation include
Olive series,Eurydesma beds and conularia beds.Speckled Sandstone name was given to it by
Waagen.It is located near dandot village in eastern salt range. At the type locality formation
consist of light grey to olive green yellowish sandstone. The dandot formation is well exposed in
eastern salt range and thin outward. The maximum thickness is recorded in the Makrach Valley,
Where it is 50 m thick.
Formation composed of coarse-grained, thick bedded sand stone. Pebbly sandstone is found at
places. Weathered color is grayish black and fresh colour is brownish. Splintery shales are also
observed.

PATALA FORMATION
Davies and pinfold named patala shales for this unit.The stratigraphic Committee of
Pakistan approved the name Patale formation to this unit.The lithology is comprised of shale
and marl with limestone and sandstone with coal seams.Shale dark greenish grey selenite
bearing in places.Patala formation comprises mainly of greenish grey to light brown shale and
argillaceous limestone.Colour is rusty brown.Bituminous coal and fire clays are also observed at

24

8km Choa saidan shah road.Some fossils are reported at the type locality.

NAMMAL FORMATION
Nammal limestone and shale was named that Dr.Gee used for this unit. Shah named it
Nammal Marl and SCP named as Nammal formation. Formation composed of shale, limestone
and marl. Shale is grey to olive green, while limestone and marl are light grey to bluish grey.
Limestone is argillaceous. The formation extends in the surghar range. It is 100km thick in
nammal gorge,60m in Khiarabad,40 m in khewra 130m thick in chichali pass and 35 m in Baroch
nala.
In the choa saidan shah road section, formation composed of grey to black greenish grey shales
with interbedded limestone. No fossils are observed.

SAKESAR LIMESTONE
The sakesar limestone was given the name of sakesar limestone. This name has been
widely used and accepted.
Formation consists of dominantly of limestone with sub ordinate marl. Limestone is cream to
light grey and nodular. Marl is cream coloured to light grey and forms persistent horizon near
the top. The limestone have chert lenses .At te choa saidan shah road limestone is nodular and
highly fossiliferous, color is light grey.
Assilina and Nummulities are observed.

25

DAY 02
NAMMAL GORGE
INTRODUCTION OF NAMMAL GORGE
Nammal is the combination of two words NA means NO and MUL means PRICE.so
nammal means the most valuable land.In urdu its meaning is ANMOL.
The Gorge is located 30km northeast of Mianwali city.The rocks of upper
Permian,Triassic,Jurassic,Paleocene and Eocene age are observed in nammal gorge.A dam is
also built overthere known as NAAMMAL DAM.
In Nammal Gorge we also mark Permo Triassic boundary,which is the international
boundary of high stand system tract.
It was a bright sunny Sunday morning when we started our journey towards Nammal
Gorge.Our Supervisors were with us and we all class set ourself uo for a new adventurous day.It
ws our first experience of Travelling to Nammal vi GT road,after travelling couple of hours we
reached Mianwali,The Land Of Traditions.The journey was bit hectic due to unsmooth roads,we
stop over a restaurant and have a sip of tea that refreshen us.Again we start moving towards
the Gorge.We reached there and saw a huge area covered with hills.Our supervisor told us that
this is Nammal Gorge,which have its own importance.So we moved ahead to observe different
lithologies and characters in the Nammal Gorge.

26

AMB FORMATION
Waggen named it amb sandstones beds and also named it Productus limestone.The type
locality of this formation is AMB village in central salt range.
The litholgy is that it comprises of shale,dark grey,fossliferous,limestone,brownish grey ,sandy
medium bedded,sandstone brownish grey,medium grey thick bedded sandstone.upper contact
of formation is with wargal limestone lower contact with Sardhai formation.Both are
comformable contacts.
Many fossils are reported like pollens,spores,bivalves,bryozones and Gastropods.Its age
is lower Permian.

WARGAL LIMESTONE
The name wargal group was assigned by Noetling.SCP formalized the name to Wargal
limestone.The type locality is Wargal village in central salt range.
The litholgy of the formation is dolomits and limestone which id medium grey to olive
grey in colour.Argillaceous limestone,with chert nodules,fine grained pinkish grey dolomite.
The formation have contact with underlying amb formation and upper contact with
chiddru formation.The fossil found are the Trilobites,gastropods and bivalves.The fauna consist
of nautolids,ammonoids and crinoids.The age of the formation is late Permian.

CHIDDRU FORMATION
This formation had several names before like Chiddru beds,chiddru group and productus
linestone.Chiddru formation was named by Dunbar.The type locality is Chiddru Nala in salt
range.
It is mainly composed of calcareous sandstone and sandy limestone.Color of formation is
pale yellowish grey.Top most part is white sandstone.
Upper contact with Mianwali formation is para-conformable
Lower contact with Wargal limestone is Transitional and conformable.
Gastropods,Brachiopods are obrserved with Trilobites and Ammonities.
The age of the formation is Late Permian
On Top of Chiddru formation white sandstone is present which is highly fossliferrous.
This white sandstone demarcates the PERMO-TRIASSIC BOUNDARY

27

MIANWALI FORMATION
The name Mianwalifm was used by Gee and later modified by Kummel into mianwali
formation.
Variety of facies consisting of marl,limestone,sandstone,siltstone and dolomite.
The formation comprised of three members.

KATHWAI MEMBER
MITTIWALI MEMBER
NARMIA MEMBER
Kathwai Member.
Dolomite in lower part,limestone in upper part.

Mittiwali Member
It is the thickest member of formation and mainly composed of greenish grey,ash grey shale
with interbeds of limestone and sandstone.

Narmia Member
It is composed of dark grey to brown sandy limestone and grey to black shales with interbeds of
sandstone and dolomite.

TREDIAN FORMATION
The name tredian formation was introduced by Gee.
Zaluch nala is the reference to its type locality.
Formation comprises of two members

KHATKIARA MEMBER
LANDA MEMBER
Khatkiara Member
Mainly composed of massive,thick bedded white sandstone with some dolomite.

Landa Member
It is composed of pinkish,reddish,grey to greenish grey,micaceous thin to thick bedded
sandstone and shales.Ripple Marks are also found in sandstone.

28

Fossils like pollen grains,wood fragments,polynomorphs are reported from the

formation.The age is early Triassic to middle Triassic.

KINGRIALI FORMATION
The name kingriali Dolomite was used by Gee and later amended as Kingriali
formation.As we talk about the lithology of Kingriali it comprises of dolomite and dolomite
limestone interbeds od dolomitic shale and marl
Formation is divided into two parts

Upper part
Lower part
Lower Part.
It is mainly composed of thin to medium bed,fine grained green dolomite.Some
interclations of sandy shale.thin bedded.

Upper part
It is mainly composed of sandy type dolomite.
Fossils reported are Brachiopods which are rarely and poorly preserved.The age of
formation is Middle to Late Triassic.

DATTA FORMATION
The formation was firstly called as Variegated stage By Gee.Red parts and kioto
limestone by Middlemiss.

The type locality is Datta Nala in surghar range.

The formation is comprised of red,maroon grey green white sandstone,shale,siltstone

and mud stone with irregularly distributed calcareous dolomite.Fire clay in lower part.7 to 10m
of mottled quartzose sandstone and fire clay.No diagnostic fossils are reported.The age is
Jurrasic.

29

SAMANA SUK FORMATION

The formation have the type locality in NE of Shinwari.It is comprised of limestone,grey
to dark grey,medium to thick bedded,oolitic with shelly beds.In salt range and trans Indus
range,the limestone is light colour in kala chitta and eastern kohat.The limestone is thin to thick
bedded includes Dolomitic and ferrogenous sandy,oolitic beds in kohat pass.

Upper contact with chichali formation disconformable,lower contact with shinwari

formation transitional.

Brachiopods,bivalves,Gastropods,Ammonities and Crinoids.Its age is Middle Jurrasic.

HANGU FORMATION
Pinfold and Davies named this formation as Hangu shale,Hangu sandstone,Dhak Pass
Beds.It ws also given name as Langrial Iron Horizon by khan.Dhak Pass Formation by Danilchik.

The type locality is Fort Lockhart,samana range in kohat.

Its comprises of sandstone with shale intercalations,elsewhere

sandstone,shale,carbonaceous and arggilaceous lime stone.Sandstone white,grey,reddish
brown,weathers dark rusty brown fain to coarse grained.

Upper contact conformable and transitional with lockhart lime stone,lower contact
disconformable with kawagarh formation in kohat kala chitta hazara.

Fossil which are reported are Forams,corals,gastropods and bivalves.Its age is Early
Paleocene.

30

NAMMAL RANGE
Dr.Gee named the formation in Nammal limestone and shale and later on shah and dinal
chick named as Nammal marl.

The type locality is Nammal Gorge,salt range

Its comprised of shale,marl and limestone,alternations shale,grey to olive

green,fossliferrous,lime stone,light grey to bluish grey.In surghar range,the lower part
composed of bluish marl with subordinate interbeds of calcareous shale and limestone.

Upper contact transitional with sakesar limestone,lower contact also transitional.

The fossils are Mollusks and forms,assilina granulasa.Its age is Early Eocene.

31

DAY 03
HAZARA AREA ALONG VARIOUS ROAD SECTION

After waiting a year or so for our first field work to Hazara area,finally a field was
arranged by Department of Earth Sciences.It was a three day trip planned.On March 20 th 2015
we set off to our journey at midnoon and reached the beautiful city of Abbotabad by mid
night.We hired a hotel on Manshera road and get a well tight sleep after a long journey.

Next Morning after having good breakfast we along with our fellows and supervisors
started our journey to Nathia Gali area,Azizabad road section and reached there by noon and
from here on our work start.The formations we observed are explained below.

STARTIGRAPHIC NOTES OF OBSERVED FORMATIONS OF HAZARA AREA

ON DAY 3 AT NATHIAGALI
HAZARA FORMATION
Middlemiss named it as Salt series of Hazara.Attock slates by Wagen and
waynee.Hazara slate formation by Marks and Ali in 1961.
The formation consist of slate,phyllite and shale with minor occurrence of limestone
and graphite layers.Slate and phylite are green to dark green and black but are rusty brown
and dark green or weathered surface.Limestones beds with maximum thickness of 159m
and a sequence of calcareous phylite and gypsum ranging from 30 to 120m thick are found
in southern most hazara and Azad Kashmir.

Samana Suk Limestone

The main lithology of this formation is medium to thick bedded limestone of grey to dark
grey and this limestone is oolitic in its nature. We also found intraclasts in this limestone.
We found like shells and lines of weathering on it.

32

Hangu Formation
It is mainly composed of dark grey rarely variegated sandstone, shale, carbonaceous shales
and somenodular argillaceous limestone. The sandstone is white, light grey and reddish
brown weathered
Laterite is also present which is mainly comprised of clay and iron and which mark the
contact between kawagarh formation and hangu formation

Kawagarh Limestone
On the same road section we also saw the Kawagarh Limestone mainly comprised of light
grey to medium grey, fine and micritic limestone.
Typically it is thin to thick equibedded limestone.

Chichali Formation
When we moved further we saw chichali shales which are splintery in its nature. Its colour
is black to dark and usually Belemnite fossils are also present there.

Lumshiwal Formation
Next we saw Lumshiwal formation which is mainly comprised of thick bedded to massive,
light grey current-bedded sandstone with silty, sandy, glauconitic shale towards the base. It
form a conformable contact with chichali formation.

Margalla Hill Limestone

This formation consists of limestone with subordinate marl and shale. The limestone is
grey, weathering pale grey, fine to medium grained, nodular, medium to thick bedded and
rarely massive.

We saw a fault known as NGT Nathia Gali Thrust that separate the hazara slate frome the
margalla hill limestone.

33

DAY O4
MANSHERA,BALAKOT AND OOGI,KHAKI ROAD SECTION
On next day i.e 22nd March 2015 we again set off our journey,this time to a new destination.
This time our place for field was Manshera,balakot.As we pass by Abbotabad city we cross a
nala known as Punjal Nala,a thrust was formed and known as Pirpanjal Thrust.After
marking that thrust we moved ahead and observe different lithologies on the way to
Balakot.After reaching balakot we marked the MBT and then from here on we set back
toward the Oogi khaki Road section and observed different features there.

Tanawal Formation
We hopped off from bus in front of Tanawal schist of Precambrian age. There we observed
metamorphic rock chlorite mica schist. Green colour was due to chlorite grade. Weathered
colour was rusty brown. We observed a fold there.

Mansehra Granite
There we observed Mansehra granite an igneous rock. Acidic felsic plutonic rock formed
due to slow cooling of magma and porphyritic texture. Feldspar crystals of finger like
structure and white colour were present among the rock unit. Dolerite dike was present
there.
Next we observed structure terraces and xenolith present in Mansehra granite. Contact
between Mansehra granite and quartzite was marked

Chitta Watta Feldspar

Feldspar rich zone. Milky colour due to feldspar. Cooling separate this from other granite.
Actually it was Feldsphatic Quartz that we have observed

34

TANAWAL MICA SCHIST

Again on road section near Balakot we observed Tanawal mica schist with mullion
structure. kink fold, chevron fold and micro folds,Then we hopped off from university bus
in front of Kunhar River.Pir Punjal thrust merged with MBT reddish and maroon colour
shale and clay was present there. Green sandstone was present but the colour represented
by out crop of it was red due the effect of rain and red clay and marl mixed with rain water.

MURREE FORMATION
We observed Murree formation there of red colour marl and clay. There a fault was
observedin Murree formation which is younger but was equal to Abbottabad Surben
dolomite. Gouge and breccia was also present along the fault.

OOGI KHAKI ROAD

We observed different metamorphic rocks on oogi road and susal area

CHLORITE MICA SCHIST

Weathered chlorite mica schist of was observed along the road. We studied grades of
metamorphism in increasing order chlorite mica schist- biotite mica schist- garnet mica
schist- sillimanite mica schist and Migmatite.

GARNET MICA SCHIST

Garnet mica schist with small black balls, quartz veins were present in garnet mica schist
and intrusion of dolerite. Spheroidal weathering drag fold, cross joints, plumose structure.

GRANITE GNEISS
In Granite gneiss feldspar mineral was dominant as compared to Mansehra granite.
Phenocrystal were also present in granite gneiss. Also called Susal gali granite.

35

DAY 05
HAVELIAN,LORA MAQSOOD ROAD,JABBRI AREA
Our last day of field in hazara and it was off Lora Maqsood road till jabbri area.We check
out from the hotel early morning and seated in bus and start heading towards Havellian.We
reached there and from here we hired some pick up vans to move towards the lora
maqsood road and on the way we observed different lithologies and structure.A variety of
section were observed by us.This 30 km long travel was the tiredest travel for our group as
we have top push the van at elevated heights and that was so dreadful for us.On contrary
we also missed some lithologies because we were far away form our other classfellows and
supervisors.

HAZARA FORMATION
There we observed lithology of Hazara formation. We observed slate, sandstone and
siltstone of Hazara formation. Lithology suggest that marine environment was present
there while the deposition of this formation was in process. Ripple marks, hearing
bone structure, slump structure, plumose structure and greywacke sandstone were
present there.
Again Hazara formation was observed near langrial village. This member contains algal
and nodular limestone. Plumose structure was also observed there whish shows origin of
joints

LUMSHIWAL FORMATION
On crossing nala we observed Lumshiwal formation having glauconitic sandstone and
siltstone. The colour of formation was rusty brown due to weathering. Oyster shell
burrows and tubes were present in Lumshiwal formation. There we took snap of contact of
Lumshiwal formation and Kawagarh formation.

36

KAWAGARH FORMATION
Next formation came there was Kawagarh formation. Formation contains micritic
limestone and shale. Micritic limestone was very smooth while touching. Environment of
deposition of this formation was planktonic.

CHICHALI FORMATION
Next formation observed there was Chichali formation. Major part of this formation
was black coloured splintery shale containing fossils of belemnoids.4-20% organic
contents were present in Chichali shale.

SAMANA SUK FORMATION

Next formation observed there was Samana Suk formation contains sandy limestone
and patches of dolomite intraclast. Limestone was oolitic. Organism activity tracks on
hard ground.

LOCKHART LIMESTONE
Next formation observed there was Lockhart limestone. The colour of formation was
medium to dark grey and limestone with subordinate shale was present there. Lockhartia
fossils were present among the formation and formation gives off fetid odour smell
on fresh surface.
Nodular ductile sear zone.

PATALA FORMATION
Next formation was Patala formation which dominantly consists on shale with
splintery nature of khaki to brown in colour.

37

PHOTO GALLERY
DAY 01 Photo gallery

38

Fig: 1 PUNJAB PLAIN & SRT CONTACT

Fig 2: ENTRANCE OF KHEWRA GORGE

39

Fig 3: Billianwala Salt Member of Salt Range Formation.

(Khewra Gorge)

Fig 4: Bandarkas Member of Salt Range Formation.

(Khewra Gorge)

Fig 5: Sahwal marl Member of Salt Rnge Formation.

(Khewra Gorge)

40

Fig 6:

Satalictite in salt Mine in Khewra Grge

Fig 7: Satalgmite in Salt Mine in Khewra Gorge

Fig 8: Khewrite of Salt Range

41

Fig 9: Khewra Sand St. (Khewra Gorge)

Fig 10: Ripple Marks in Khewra Sand St. (Khewra Gorge)

Fig 11: Honeycomb structure (Khewra Gorge)

42

Fig 12: Cross Bedding in Khewra Sand St. (Khewra Gorge)

Fig 13: Load Cast. (Khewra Gorge)

Fig 14: Contact b/w Khewra Formation & Kusak Formation . (Khewra Gorge)

43

Fig 15: Trilobites Trails in Kusak Formation. (Khewra Gorge)

Fig 16: Salt Pseudomorphs of Baghanwala Formation(Khewra Gorge)

Fig 17: Tobra Formation (Khewra Gorge)

44

Fig 18: Granit in Tobra Formation(Khewra Gorge)

Fig 19: Sakesar Lime stone Chert Nodules (Choa Syden Sha Road)

Fig 20: Shales of Patala Formation(Choa Syden Sha Road)

45

Day 2 Photo gallery

Fig 21. Nammal gorge entrance

Fig. 22 Sulphur water(Namal Gorge)

46

Fig. 23 Dome structure in wargal lime stone(Namal Gorge)

Fig.24 Chidru Formation(Namal Gorge)

Fig. 25 White Sand stone of chidru formation(Namal Gorge)

47

Fig. 26 PT Boundary b/w Mianwali Formation & Chidru Formation.

Fig.27 Narmia Member of Mianwali Formation.

(Namal Gorge)

Fig. 28 Mittiwala member of Mianwali Formation. (Namal Gorge)

48

Fig . 29 Khathwai Member of Mianwali Formation.

Fig . 30 Landa Member of Tredian Formation.

Fig. 31 Khatkiara Member of Tredian Formation.

49

Fig .32 Two members of Tredian formation.

Fig . 33 Dolomite of Kingriali Formation.

Fig.34 Datta Formation

50

Fig . 35 Oolitic Lime stone of Samana suk Formation.

Fig. 36 Hangu Formation & Honeycomb structure.

Fig . 37 Lockheart Lime Stone.

51

Day 3 Photo gallery

HAZARA AREA

Fig. 39 Hazara slate

Fig. 40 Oolitic Limestone of Samana Suk Limestone with weathering lines

Fig. 41 Intraclasts in Samana Suk Lime stone

52

Fig . 42 Contact b/w Hazara Slate & Samana suk Formation.

Fig . 43 Hangu Formation

Fig. 44 Equibedded Kawagarh Lime stone of Kawagarh Formation

53

Fig 45 Laterite Contact between Kawgarh limestone and Hangu formation

Fig. 46 Chichali Shales

Fig. 47 Conformable contact between chichali and Lumshiwal formation

54

Fig. 48 NGT between Margalla hill limestone and Hazara Slate

Fig . 49 Dolerite intrusion in Mansehra granite

Fig. 50 Mansehra Granite

55

Fig.51 Barren Coal Mine in Lamshiwal Formation.

(Aziz Abad Road seccion)

56

Sedimentary structures

Fig.52 Cross Bedding

Fig.53 Ripple Marks

Fig .54 Anticline and syncline structures in the Samana Suk Limestone

57

Fig.55 Mass wasting Recent activity

Fig.56 Mullion Structure

Fig.57 Kink Fold.

58

REFERENCE
Ahsan, N. and Chaudhry, M.N., 2008. GEOLOGY OF HETTANGIAN TO
MIDDLE EOCENE ROCKS OF HAZARA AND KASHMIR BASINS,
NORTHWEST LESSER HIMALAYAS, PAKISTAN.Geol. Bull. Punjab
Univ. 43, 2008.
Peter D. Warwick and Bruce R. Wardlaw() Overview of the Geography,
Geology, and Structure of the Potwar Regional Framework Assessment
Project Study Area, Northern Pakistan by Lecture notes GG303 on Ramsay's
fold classification schemes.

Geological Field Report of Salt Range and Hazara Range Pakistan.

Department of Earth Science University of Sargodha 2009 and 12..
GSP Memoirs Vol 22 by Ibrahim Shah.

Baqri, S.R.H. and Rajpur, A.R. (1991) The clay mineral studies of Khewra
Sandstone exposed at Khewra, Eastern Salt Range, Geol. Bull.,
University of Peshawar, Vol. 24, p.203-214
Geology and Tectonic of Pakistan by A.H.Kazmi and M.Qasim Jan.

WEB REFERENCES

www.scribd.com/nammalgorge
www.google.com/populationinfo
www.google.com/weatherinfo
www.bing.com/map
www.yahoo.com/tectonicframeworkofpakistan

59