Abstract

A field trip was arranged by Bahria University, Department of Earth and

Environmental Sciences to Eastern Salt Range (Khewra Gorge) on 3rd December 2008.
Lithology of different sedimentary rocks exposed was studied.

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Acknowledgement
We are thankful to Almighty Allah who gave us strength to attend the field trip.
We acknowledge the support of the Head of Department Dr. M.Zafar who arranged the
trip for B-S V (Geology). We are also thankful to Mr. Anwar Qadir and Mr. Mohsin
Munir for assisting us and providing information throughout the field trip.

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1. Introduction
A field trip was arranged by Bahria University, Department of Earth and
Environmental Sciences on 3rd December 2009 It was a one day field trip to Eastern Salt
Range (Khewra Gorge) which is approximately 160km from Islamabad. We left for trip
at 8.30am and arrived back to University at 9.30pm.

1.1 Purpose of the Trip

The field trip was held in order to observe practically the theoretical work
which we studied so far in Geology of Pakistan and get familiar with different formations
of Eastern Salt Range exposed in Khewra Gorge.

1.2 Procedures Used

We applied different procedures during the field study which included the
following:-
i. Global Positioning System (GPS) was used for finding the geographical
location.
ii. Brunton Compass was used for measuring the dip and strike of the rocks
iii. Geological Hammer was used for collecting samples and differentiating
between fresh and weathered surface of rocks.

1.3 Previous Work

A lot of work has been done on this area through out. The area is also
called Museum of Geology and almost all the Geological Departments of different
universities arrange field trips for the students for study purposes.

1.4 Location of the Area

The area of field work was Eastern Salt Range (Khewra Gorge) around
160km to the North-East of Islamabad. The area is near chakwal in the Province of
Punjab.

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1.5 Accessibility
The area is accessible through carpeted Highway. The drive to the area is
approximately 3hours from Islamabad.

1.6 Distribution and Nature of Principal Geographical

Features
The Geographic location of the area is to the North-East of Islamabad
having latitude 33◦ 46’N and longitude 73◦08’E. The altitude is 945 feet above sea level.
The topography is rugged with many steep slopes and Gorges. The area is drained by the
water of the gorge which is highly concentrated with salt.

1.7 Vegetation and Climate

The area experiences two rainy seasons. Winter rains last from January-
March and summer rains from July-September, mean annual rainfall is 125-250mm and
mean monthly maximum and minimum temperatures range from 15-25 C in winter and
30-38 C in summers
The area generally is arid and lack vegetation but some shrubs and bushes can be
seen in the gorge.

Photograph 1, showing Vegetation of the area

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2. Regional Geological Settings

Map showing the tectonic settings of the area (Marked with Circle)

This range is essentially a complex salt anticlinorium with a series of salt anticlines. It is
the widest in its central part, between Khewra and Warcha, where it also contains the best
exposure of Paleozoic and Eocambrian sequence. The structure along its northern slope is
comprised of simple broad shallow folds followed by a gentle monocline. Southwards the
folding becomes tighter and the folds are commonly faulted along the southern crap the
structures are more complicated and comprise EAST-WEST trending faults ant over
folds. The Eocambrian evaporates are exposed in some of these over folded and faulted
anticline though the general trend of the folds in the east west in the central salt range, a
few North -South trending and northward plunging anticlines, which are actually “nose”
type structures have also formed
Eastward the salt range loses its stature and bifurcates into two narrow NORTH-EAST
trending ridges, the Diljaba and the Chambal-Jogi Tila. The latter comprises steeply
dipping monoclines, complicated by complex thrust and tear faults, where as the Diljaba
hill steeply dipping anticline traversed by Diljaba –Domeli thrust. Westward the salt

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range takes a North-West bend near Warcha. Its structure remains the same and it is
separated by the Kalabagh fault from the Trans-Indus range. Southward the salt range is
truncated by the salt range thrust.

2.1. Nature and Distribution of Principal Rock

Formations
This range contains the best exposure of Paleozoic and Pre-Cambrian sequence. The
different formations exposed in this area are given in the following table
.
Table Showing Formations Exposed in the area
Era Formation/Group Member Lithology
Baghanwala Formation Slat pseudomorph, Shale
Jutana Formation Dolomite
Cambrian

Jhelum
Kussak formation Glauconitic Shales, siltstone
Group Khewra Formation Sandstone
Billian wala Gypsum
Pre-Cambrian

Member
Bahadurkhel Gypsum
Salt Range Formation
Member
Sahiwal Marl
Member

2.2. Major Structural Features

The structure along its northern slope is comprised of simple broad
shallow folds followed by a gentle monocline. Southward the folding becomes
tighter and the folds are commonly faulted along the southern crap the structures
are more complicated and comprise EAST-WEST trending faults ant over folds.
The Eocambrian evaporates are exposed in some of these over folded and faulted
anticline though the general trend of the folds in the east west in the central salt
range, a few North -South trending and northward plunging anticlines, which are
actually “nose” type structures have also formed

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 3. Systematic Description of Formations

Table showing Systematic Description of Formations exposed in the area

Era Formation/Group Member Lithology Description

Baghanwala Formation
Jutana Formation
Cambrian Jhelum
Kussak Formation
Group Khewra Formation
Billian wala
Pre- Member
Bahadurkhel
Cambrian Salt Range Formation
Member
Sahiwal
Member

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3.1 General Lithology

Pre-Cambrian
A. Salt Range Formation
Type locality: Khewra gorge, eastern Salt Range, Punjab
Thickness: 80m at type locality
Lithology: Consist of red gypsiferrous claystone (salt marls) in middle
area it consist of an alteration of gypsum, dolomite, shale, siltstone, with
oil shale
This formation is divided into 3 members
• Sahiwal marl

• Bhadar khas gypsum

• Billian wala salt member

Age: Pre Cambrian to late Proterozoic

Contact relationship: The base of salt range formation is only known from
the karampur well where the formation over lies the metamorphic rocks of
Precambrian age. Upper contact with overlaying Khewra sandstone is
generally normal and conformable

Photograph 2, showing Salt Range formation

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 Photograph 3, showing Sahiwal Marl Member of Slat Range
Formation

White spot Sahiwal marl

showing
gypsum in
Sahiwal Marl

Paleozoic

Cambrian

A. Khewra Sandstone

Type locality: Khewra gorge Khewra, Salt Range, Punjab

Lithology: Reddish brown to purple, thick to massive sandstone with few
brown shale intercalatationas
Thickness: 150m at type locality
Contacts: Lower contact with salt range formation is normal and
conformable
Upper contact with kussak formation is also conformable
Age: Early Cambrian on the base of its stratigraphic position

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 Photograph 4, showing Khewra Formation

B. Kussak Formation
Type locality: Kussak Fort, eastern Salt Range, Punjab
Lithology: Mainly composed of grey silty and sandy, glauconitic shales
with some sandstone intercalatations and few black shale layers
Thickness: 70m at type locality
Fossils: Brachiopods and trilobites Neobolus warthi and redlichia neotlingi
Age: Early to early middle Cambrian age

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 Photograph 5, showing Kussak formation

C. Jutana Formation
Type locality: Jutana Village, eastern Salt Range, Punjab
Lithology: Lower part consist of light green hard massive partly sandy
dolomite and upper part consist of dirty white dolomite
Thickness: 80m at type locality
Contact relationship: Both upper and lower contacts are conformable
Fossils: Lingulella fuchsia, bots fordia granulate, redlichia noetlingi
Age: Early Mid. Cambrian Late Early Cambrian

Jutana
formation

Kussak
formation

Photograph 6, Showing contact between Jutana Formation (top)

And kussak formation (lower)

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 D. Baghanwala formation
Type locality: Baghanwala Village, eastern Salt Range, Punjab
Lithology: Typical features of this formation is salt peudomorph, this
formation is composed of red shale and clay alternating with flaggy
sandstone
Thickness: 100-116m thick
Fossils: Only trace fossils e.g. tracks, trails etc
Age: Mid. Cambrian
Contact relationship: Lower contact with Jutana formation is conformable
Upper contact with tobra formation is unconformable

3.2 Contacts
Following table shows the upper and lower contacts of different formations
exposed in the area
Table showing Contacts

Baghanwala Formation

Jutana Formation

Kussak Formation

Khewra Sandstone

Salt Range Formation

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Salt range Khewra
formation sandstone

Photograph 7, showing contact b/w Salt range formation and Khewra sandstone

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 4. Structures
The area mainly contains folds, faults, joints, ripple marks and stalactites
and stalagmites. Folds are generally antiformal in shape while the faults
are minor and reverse in nature.

A. Folds

Fold

Photograph 8, Showing fold

B. Stalactites

Photograph 9, Showing Stalactites (White needle shaped)

Stalactites

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C. Stalagmites

Photograph 10, Showing Stalagmites

D. Ripple Marks

Photograph 11, Showing Ripple Marks

Ripple marks

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 E. Joints

Photograph 12, Showing Joints in the rocks

Block joints

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5. Economic Minerals
Economic Minerals which were observed in the field were

i. Gypsum
ii. Rock Salt
i. Gypsum
It is present in the Salt Range formation and its extraction was
done by excavators and it is mainly used in the cement Industry

Photograph showing Extraction of Gypsum by Excavators

ii. Salt
It is present in the Salt Range Formation and mined through room and
pillar method. The mines are the largest mines of Salt in Asia and second largest
in the world. The current production from the mine is 325,000 tons salt per
annum.

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 6. Conclusion
The area visited is folded and faulted due to compressional forces which
exist in the area. It is a discrete structural zone bounded in the north by the north dipping
Main boundary Thrust (MBT) (sarwar et al 1979, Yeats et al.1984, Coward et al. 1985.)
Southward the Salt Range Thrust, Kala Bagh Fault and the Surghur Thrust form its
Southern Boundary. West and eastward it is terminated by the N-S oriented Kurran Fault
and Jhelum Fault respectively (Kazmi and Rana 1982).

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References
Jan, Q & Kazmi A.J, Geology &Tectonics of Pakistan
Billings. P Marland, Structural Geology, 3rd edition
www.wikipedia.com
Google Earth

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