[Type the document subtitle] | Fahad

Field report
Submitted to:
Dr.Mona Lisa
Submitted by:
Saad Usman
Roll no:
39
Quaid-e-Azam university
Islamabad
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Table of content
Acknowledgement

Abstact

Objective

Salt Range

Divisaion of salt range

List of observed features

Muree Formation

Sekasar Formation

Nammal Formation

Patala Formation

Lockhart Formation

10

Hangu Formation

11

Lamshiwal formation

12

Chichali Formation

13

Samana Suk Formation

14

Shinwari Formation

15

Datta Formation

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2nd day of field trip

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Wargal Formation

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Chhidru Formation

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Mianwali Formation

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Tridian Formation

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Kigriali formation

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Refernces

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Conclusion

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT
First of all I am very grateful to Almighty Allah who gave me courage to
complete this field report well in time. After that I will definitely say that our
teacher / instructors helped us a lot in attaining the goals that were
selected for the students during the salt range held on 27 th 29th
November 2015. I convey the message that understanding the earth is
exciting, and that it enriches and hightens our sense of awareness of the
world around us.
A task such as this one is impossible to complete without the help and
expertise of many people. Teachers encouraged and advise us at every
step of the way. Their expertise kept us motivated and ensured that we
made it a pleasurable experience.
Our teachers Dr. Aamir Ali, Dr. Anwar Qadir and Dr Touqeer Sb who
guided us through many of the members, formations and groups of the
salt range. We greatly appreciate the impressive skills of our teachers. I
also acknowledge the Department of Earth Sciences that helped a lot in
arranging the field for us.
I feel pleasure to say thanks to my venerated teachers Sir Shahid Iqbal,
Sir Jamil Sidique and Sir Amir .Their supervision and support that they
gave truly help the progression and smoothness of the field program.
I cant neglect my beloved parents for their prayers and guidance at every
step of my life and was a constant sourse of my inspiration.. Last but not
least I would like to thank my class fellows.

ABSTRACT
Department of Earth Sciences Quaid-e-Azam University arranged a field
trip of three days for Msc 2nd semester on November 27,2015 to
November 29, 2015 to Chichali Gorge and Mianwali Gorge which are
located near Mianwali.
Our field to salt range was to recognized and understand various
lithologies, structures, fossils in the sedimentary strata ranging from the
Cambrian to recent age of the geological time scale.
I definitely have done my best job in preparing this report and achieving
the goals through the ever best help of my teachers.

The objective for that field trip was to study and observe the Lithology,
depositional conditions, Sedimentary structures, rock types, contact and fossils of
that area. Also how to find the dip and strike.
Another objective our field to enhance our knowledge and to strong our grip on
Stratigraphy subject, especially to concentrate on geology of salt range and
Nammal gorge and to study the structures, Lithology, depositional environments,
rock types and economical importance of different formations.
In this we deal with primary and secondary features exposed in the area namely
-

Cross bedding

Folds

Ripple marks

Mud cracks

Fossil record

Nodules

Understanding of environmental condition from fossils or some other

features.

Stylolite

SALT RANGE
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The Salt Range contains the most important geologic and paleontological
localities in Pakistan, and is one of the outstanding field areas in the entire world.
Despite its easy accessibility, it has a wealth of geological and paleontological
features. In fact, it represents an open book of geology where various richly
fossiliferous stratified rocks are very well exposed due to lack of vegetation.
These include the Permian carbonate succession Lower Triassic ammonoid beds
(the Mianwali Formation), and Lower Tertiary marine strata with age diagnostic
foraminifera. These rocks also provide an excellent opportunity for appreciation
of tectonics in the field. In addition to the easily available roadside geology, some
prominent gorges provide fantastic locations to study the sedimentary succession.
Older strata are exposed in the eastern Salt Range between the Khewra-Choa
Saidan Shah and Fort Kussak including the famous Khewra Gorge. In the west,
beyond Kallar Kahar, are younger strata such as in the Nilawahan Gorge at
Nurpur, the Nammal Gorge near Mianwali, the Chichali Gorge near Kalabagh,
and further west the Lumshiwal Nala at Makerwal. This succession has been
rightly called a Field Museum of Geology and Paleontology and can be classified
as one of the great paleontological areas of the world, fully worthy of
conservation and protection efforts. The area embraces special interest for
exploration of oil as major oil discoveries has been made in Potohar.

Map of Salt Range

Division of salt range:

Salt range is a big fold. It can be divided into three part
1. Eastern salt range
2. Western salt range
3. Central salt range

(1) East salt range is called main salt range. It ranges from 30 km to 36 km
in length.
(2) The central salt range is in west, it is extremity of eastern salt range. The
boundries of this is nila wahan warch mandi.
(3) Then western salt range is called trans indus salt range. It is in the west
of kala bagh. The boundaries of western salt range is warch mandi mian
wali.
Our study is the ranges along Mianwali-Kalabagh re-entering which is being
cut apart by Indus River. On 28th November we visit Surghar ranges which are
called Trans Indus ranges. On 29th November we visited Cis Indus ranges,
which are western extension of salt ranges. Our study area is located at a distance
of 314 Km southwest of Islamabad.
The area of Chichali gorge was accessible after a hectic journey through Datsun
Pickups. The field which we visited was unsteady: rocky along the mountains.
On first day of our field on reaching Chichali gorge, we first oriented ourselves
with the help of compass than we move in the direction of North. We started our
field from Surghar Range upto the Lumshiwall formation along with different
structures and fossils and then return back to Hotel Shehzad at 6:00 pm alomost.
On the first day the temperature was moderate in Chichali.
LIST OF OBSERVED FORMATIONS IN THE SALT RANGE
The following formations were observed in the salt range during our field work.
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
viii.
ix.
x.

xi.

Muree Formation
Sakessar Lime Stone
Nammal Lime Stone
Patala Shales
Lockhart Formation
Hangu Formation
Chichali Formation
Sammanasuck Formation
Shinawari Formation
Datta Formation
Lumshiwall Formation
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FORMATIONS IN CHICHALI GORGE:

MURREE FORMATION:
The name Murree formation has been formalized by the Stratigraphic
committee of Pakistan for the Mari group of Wynne (1974) and Murree beds of
Lydekker (1876).
The formation is composed of a monotonous sequence of dark red clay and loose
grey sandstone. Color is due to the oxidization. The formation is poorly
fossiliferous.
Here we also see a fold. And this deposit is the Molasse Deposit.
The term molasse refers to the deposited in a foreland basin.
sandstones, shales and conglomerates formed as terrestrial or
shallow marine deposits in front of rising mountain chains.
Age: The age of this formation is early Miocene.

Fold Observed at Murree Formation

SAKESAR FORMATION:
The term Sakesar Limestone was introduced by Gee for the most prominent
Eocene limestone unit in Salt range and Trans Indus ranges.
The formation maintains a relatively uniform character throughout the area. The
unit consists dominantly of limestone with subordinate marl. The limestone

throughout its extent is cream color to grey color. The characteristics feature of Sakesar
formation is nodular form i-e limestone is in nodular form not in horizontal bed.
The lower contact with the Nammal Formation is conformable. In eastern salt range, the upper
contact with Chorgali formation is conformable.
The Sakesar Formation is reported to have been deposited in open marine
carbonate
depositional environment.
Age: It is dated as Early Eocene.

(Nodular structure in Skesar formation)

(Marine and continental sediment contact)

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NAMMAL FORMATION:
The term Nammal formation has been formally accepted by Stratigraphic
committee of Pakistan for the Nammal Limestone and Shale of Gee (1945)
Lithalogically 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. The limestone is argillaceous in places.
The lower contact with Patala formation and Upper contact with the Sakesar
limestone are transitional.
Abundant fossils have been reported from the formation.
Age: Eocene age has been assigned to the formation on the basis of
fauna.
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.
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. It widely exposed in Kohat, Potohar 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.
Age: The formation is richly fossiliferous The age of formation is regarded as
Late Paleocene while in Hazara its age is Early Eocene.

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(Fossils in patala formation)

(Slickensides in Patala formation)

LOCKHART LIMESTONE:
Davies introduced the name Lockhart Limestone for a Paleocene limestone unit
in the Kohat area (1930). This unit thus represents Nummulitic series of Middle
Miss (1896). Latif (1970) assigned Mari Limestone to this unit.
The Lockhart Formation is present throughout the Surghar Range and the Salt
Range but pinches out in the eastern Salt Range. The formation consists of
grey,nodular and marly limestone. In the lower part, thin shale and marl beds are
developed.
Theformation conformably and transitionally overlies and underlies the Hungu
Formation andPatala Formation respectively.
The Lockhart Formation is believed to have been deposited in a shallow marine
environment.
Age: Based on paleontological grounds, the age of the Lockhart Formation is Late
Paleocene.

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(Lockhart Limestone)
HANGU FORMATION:
The name Hungu formation was formalized by Stratigraphic committee of
Pakistan (1973)for Hungu sandstone of Davies (1930)
The formation consists of limestone with cole along with sandstone, shale,
carbonaceous shale and some nodular, argillaceous limestone alongwith coal.
Here limestone is having some yellow color which is later designated as Sulpher
by its pungent smell.
Argillaceous means resembling or contrasting clay.
The formation unconformabily overlies the Lumshiwal formationand
conformably underlies Lockart limestone.
Age of the Hangu Formation is Early Paleocene.

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(Limestone with coal)

(Limestone with sulpher)

LAMSHIWAL FORMATION:
Gee (1945) proposed the name Lumshiwal sandstone for usage in the salt range, but due to
variation in Lithology in areas other than type locality the name Lumshiwal
formation formalized by Stratigraphic committee of Pakistan.
In the type locality the Lithology consist of thick bedded to massive light grey,
current beddedsandstone with silty, sandy, glauconitic shale towards the base.
Apart from the lowermost beds, the formation is unfossiliferous.
The lower contact with Chichali formation appears transitional.
Age: Lumshiwal formation is recorded as early cretaceous and in some places late Jurassic.

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Lamshaval formation
CHICHALI FORMATION:
Danilchik and Shah (1967) described these rocks as Belemnite beds from the
salt range and further the name Chichali formation was formalized by
Stratigraphic Committee of Pakistan.
Its main Lithology is carbonaceous shale and thin bedded to massive bedded
white sandstone. Bands of greenish and brownish shale are also present here.
The lower contact with Samana Suk formation is disconformable and Upper
contact with Lumshiwal formation is gradational.
The index fossil of this formation is Belemnites, which are in bullets shape.
Here we also see the KT boundary.
The age of the formation is Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous.

(Shale Along with Belemnite)

(Belemnite)
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SAMANA SUK FORMATION:

The name Samana Suk is derived from the peek of this name in the Samana range. The name
isextended to include Baroch limestone of Gee (1945) in the salt range. The name
SamanaSuk was introduced by Davies in 1930 for the Jurassic limestone in
Samana Range.
The Samana Suk formation is a thick and hard unit consisting of grey, thin to thick
bedded occasionally nodular limestone. The limestone often has shelly beds.
Minor shales and marl beds are also present. Abundant fossils are present
throughout the formation. Its lower contact with the Shinawari Formation is
transitional whereas its upper contact with overlying Chichali Formation is
unconformable.
Age: On paleontological grounds, the Samana Suk Formation is dated as Middle
Jurassic.

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SHINAWARI FORMATION:
The name Shinawari formation was introduced after the village of this name in
western part of Samana Range by Fatmi (1964). Davis called these beds as lowest
Samana beds. Cotteer 1933 adopted the name lower part of Kioto limestone.
Danilchik and Shah 1967 used the name upper transitional beds of Datta
Formation.
The formation consists The limestone is grey, shale is also grey and sandstone is
white to light grey. Sedimentary structure sare present in layers
Age: The age of formation is regarded as Early Jurassic.

(Limestone in Shinwari Formation)

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DATTA FORMATION:
The name Datta formation was introduced by Danilchik (1961 ) and Shah (1967) to
replace the name Variegated stage of Gee (1945) and earlier workers
The formation is mainly of continental origin and consists of variegated
sandstone, shale, and lime stone.
The formation is disconformable lower contact with Kingriali formation and the
upper contact with Shinawari formation.
Age: The age of formation is regarded as early Jurassic.

(Ripple marks in Datta formation)

(Shale)

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INTRODUCTION:
On 29th November, 2015, we leave our stay point Hotel Shehzad at sarp 7:45
am to visit the Nammal Gorge. This time the journey was very smooth and we
reached there through buses. The temperature was a bit cold when we reach at
Nammal Gorge. There we also observe different rock formations and exposed
lithologies. We also saw a Sulpher ater stream at the end of the field.

We see the following formations in Nammal gorge:

1. Wargal formation
2. Chidru formation
3. Mianwali formation
4. Kingriali formation
5. Datta formation
WARGAL FORMATION:
The name Wargal limestone was formalized by stratigraphic committee of Pakistan
which was introduced by Teichert (1966
At various levels, chert nodules are present. (Black color shows the chert which is
in nodular shape having some fossils in it)
Its upper contact with the Chhidru Formationl.
Age: On the basis of presence of brachiopods, its age is classified as the Late
permian

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(Limestone with fossil)

(Chert Nodules)

CHIDRU FORMATION:
The name Chidru was introduced by Dunbar (1932) which is now by the
stratigraphic committee of Pkaistan.
The Lithology we observed here was sand stone, limestone, shale which vary in
color. Distinct feature which we observe here is Stylolites
Stylolites form when put pressure put in limestone its gets dissolves from some
places so Stylolites form in this way.
Strike and dip which we measure here is N62W and 25 degree North
respectively.
Age: The age of Chidru formation is Permian

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(Strike and Dip measurements)

(Lime stone in Chidru formation)

MIANWALI FORMATION:
The name .Mianwalli Series was used by Gee and later modified by
Kummel(1966) into a formation.
mainly consists of marl, limestone, sandstone, siltstone, and dolomite.
The lower contact of the formation with the Chhidru Formation of Late
Permian age, whereas its upper contact with the
overlying Tredian Formation is sharp and well defined
The formation consists of following three members;
Kathwai Member
Mittiwali Member
Narmia Member
Ammonites are the typical fossils of this formation.
Age: The age assigned to the formation is Early Triassic

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(Contact in Mianwali formation)

(Fossils Preserved in the rock body)

Tredian Formation:
The name Tredian formation was introduced by Gee(1945). The Tridian
formation mostly consists of sand stone, thick beds of shale and limestone.
Age: Its Age is middle Triassic.

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KINGRIALI FORMATION:
The name Kingriali dolomite was used by Gee(1945) and later formalized as
Kingriali formation because of several lithological facies are present.
The formation consitsts of thick to thin beds of dolomite and sandstone.
The lower contact with the tredian formation is marked by the inner bedding of
sandstone and dolomite and the upper contact with Datta formation is
disconfirmabale.
Age: The age of this formation is Triassic.

(Kingriali Formation)

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References:
1. Geol.Surv,Mem.,v.55,pp.63
2. Geol.Surv, Ress, V.68,pt.1,pp.115-120.
3. The Geological Survey of Pakistan(Volume 22)
4. Stratigraphy of Pakistan- by S.M Ibrahim, Shah
5. Danilchik, W., 1961, The Iron formation of Surghar and western Salt
Range, Mianwali District.
6. Gee, E.R,1935, Recent observation on the Cambrian sequence of the
Punjab Salt range: India

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Conclusion:
With the Grace of Allah Almighty (The most merciful and beneficent) I have
completed my this report of Salt range field.
We seek a alot from the field trip, we learn many methods helpful in study the
geology and geophysics of an area. We study many formation of salt range and
observed different lithologies, index features mark unconformities and contacts.
We also gather a lot of samples of fossils and rocks from different formations.
This all credit goes to my dear parents, respected teachers and fellows who always
remember me in their prayers, guided me while doing this tough job. I want to
thank them all.

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