This is the field report of Salt Range, Pakistan made by Ahmad Ghani in December 2009.

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Department of Geology
Salt range
Field report
Submitted to:
Sir Naveed Anjum
Sir M. Azhar
Submitted by:
AHMAD GHANI
B.S part-2
University of Peshawar

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Brief
Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
To the teachers
Chapter 1:
 Introduction
 Location
 Accessibility
 Geology
Chapter 2:
 Introduction to the study Region
 Stratigraphy of the Region
Chapter 3:
 Chharat Group
1. Nammal Formation
2. Sakesar Limestone
3. Chorgali Formation
 Nilawahan Group
1. Tobra Formation
2. Warchha sandstone
3. Sardhai Formation
 Zaluch Group
1. Amb Formation
2. Wargal Limestone
3. Chhidru Formation
The Permo-Triassic Boundry
 Salt Range Formation
i. Sehwal marl member
ii. Bandarkas gypsum member
iii. Billianwala salt member

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 Musakhel Group
1. Mianwali Formation
2. Tredian Formation
3. Kingriali Formation
 Surghar Group
1. Datta Formation
2. Shinawari Formation
3. Samana Suk Formation
K.T Boundry
 Makarwal Group
1. Hangu Formation
2. Lockhart Limestone
3. Patala Formation
Chapter4:
 CREDITS
 REFRENCE
DEDICATED TO
To my parents, teachers, fellows
&
All the
DIAMONDS

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Preface
Our Approach
Today's students are tomorrow's decision-makers, whether their future careers
are in politics, finance, technology, medicine, geology, or other sciences. It is
their decisions that collectively will decide the fate of our planet-earth. The
instructors in Earth science or geology must ensure that their students have the
opportunity to obtain a basic understanding of the Earth so that they are
equipped to make informed, environmentally responsible decisions in their
future careers.
I will definitely say that our teachers/ instructors helped us a lot in
attaining goals that were selected for we students during salt range (lesser
Himalayas) held on 8th
-11th
dec. 2009. I convey the message that understanding
the Earth is exciting, and that it enriches and heightens our sense of awareness
of the world around us.
Our field to salt range was to recognize and understand various
lithologies, structures, fossils, economically important mines in the sedimentary
strata ranging from the Cambrian to recent age of the geologic time scale. If, at
the end of my report, you urge to have a glance over again, then I will have
definitely done my best job in preparing this report and achieving the goals
through the ever best help of my teachers.
Organization of the report
This report is divided into four days studies of various formations, groups and
members of the formations in salt range. The salt range is basically divided into
three parts naming as eastern salt range, central salt range and western salt
range. All these four days study deals with the lithologies, structures and fossil
contents of those formations.
Acknowledgments
An undertaking such as this one is impossible to complete without the help and
expertise of many people. The team at the field encouraged and advised me
every step of the way. Their expertise and cheerfulness kept me motivated and
ensured that I completed the task at hand and made it a pleasurable experience.
My teachers Mr. Naveed anjum and M.Azhar navigated me through many of

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the members, formations and groups of the salt range and also through various
secrets of writing this report which made substantial improvements to the text
and artwork. I greatly appreciate the impressive skills of my teachers. I also
acknowledge the department of geology and university of Peshawar that helped
a lot in arranging the field for us in such crucial circumstances of our
homeland.
To my family who helped me along every step of my life and in
understanding of my geology life while I was out of the native town in field
studies and was a constant source of inspiration.
Abstract:The Salt Range contains the most important geologic and
paleontologic 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 with its outstanding brachiopod fauna,
Lower Triassic ammonoid beds (the Mianwali Formation, formerly
known as "Ceratite Beds"), 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.
To the teachers
We live in amazing times. In the past 20 years we have learned an enormous
amount about our Earth, and new information confronts us almost daily. We
can scarcely watch the news or read a newspaper without learning of some new
and exciting discovery related to Earth. This information had come at such a
bewildering pace, that it was difficult to assimilate it all without the help of our
teachers.
I convey that during field our teachers gave us excitement of discovery
while heightening our knowledge, appreciated us, and made us interested in the

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geologic field work and in displaying an appetite for learning more. In the near
future, we students will make decisions, big and small, that will impact the
environment on a local, regional, and even global scale. Facing to such
decisions, I hope that our teachers, in greater way, helped us in making the right
ones.

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INTRODUCTION
The Indus Basin of Pakistan is divided into two parts i.e. Lower Indus
Basin and Upper Indus Basin. The Upper Indus Basin is further divided
by Sargodha high way in to two parts. Towards the east of the Sargodha
highway is Potwar Plateau and towards the west is Kohat Plateau. The
region of the North Punjab called as Potwar Plateau, is bound in the
South by Salt range and in North by MBT as shown below.
Fig. 1. Location of the study area with reference to regional tectonic framework. The Indus River in the
east Separate Kohat from the Potwar Plateau and the MBT marks its northern extremity.
The name of Salt range was first use by ELPHISTON in 1808. The name
is derived from the fact that area contains huge reserve of the common
table salt.
Salt range is one of the few most important localities in the Sub-continent
for its interesting structural, valuable stratigraphic and paleontological
record. Salt range is characterized by extensive Anticlines folds,
Synclines folds and various types of Faults. It is also important as a
source of minerals e.g. Halite, gypsum, Coal, fire clay etc. The
occurrence of these minerals is important in stratigraphic as well as
paleontological point of view. That’s why Salt range sequence of Pakistan
has fascinitated Geologist from all over the world due to its well
preserved faunal assemblages.

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The Salt range is mainly divided into two parts. The area to the east of the
river Indus “Main Salt range” or “Cis-Indus Salt range” and the area to
the west of river Indus is called “Trans-Indus Salt range”. The main Salt
range is further divided into three parts:
 Western Salt Range
 Central Salt Range
 Eastern Salt range.
Eastern Salt range is about 16km and its height about the sea level is
760m. The western range is widens westward to the width of about 32km
with highest attitude of 1422m at Sakessar. Similar central Salt range is
more wider then eastern and western Salt range.
The Salt range strikes almost East-West and terminates at Kalabagh
where the range is intersected by river Indus. Beyond the river Indus the
ranges beaks out into various ranges collectively referred as Trans-Indus
ranges. The rocks in the Salt ranges are generally folded and are typically
marked by large and small scale faulting as well as local over-thrusting
with movements towards south. The sedimentary sequence ranges from
Pre-Cambrian to the Eocene and recent age. It is also marked by several
unconformities.
In our field visit to the Salt range, we have visited only eastern and
western Salt range of the main Salt ranges. In the Eastern Salt range, we
studied the Khewra Gorge, while in the western Salt range we studied the
Nammal Gorge and Zaluch Nala section. We have studied the
stratigraphy and detailed litology of the various formation exposed in the
above said Gorges.
We also observed some of the very important mineral deposits e.g.
Khewra Salt mine, Coal deposits, Iron ores etc.
STRATIGRAPHY OF THE REGION
The rocks of the Salt ranges stratigraphic units ranges in the age from
Pre-Cambrian to the Tertiary with the marked absence of Ordovician ,
Silurian, Devonian and Carboniferous age throughout the region.
Locally a given stratigraphic rock sequence pinches out laterally to the
point of vanishing e.g Mesozoic sequence is well developed in the
western salt range and Trans-Indus ranges but the Triassic and Jurassic
and perhaps all the cretaceous formations are conspicuously absent in the
most of the central and eastern Salt range.

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An igneous intrusion of the younger age is also present in the Cambrian
age rock called as “Khewrite’ or “Khewra Trap”. Several types of
unconformities are also present in the area which also includes
paraconformity, Permotriassic unconformity and Permocambrian
unconformity.
We have visited the following three Gorges in the main Salt range
during our field to that region:
Khewra Gorge (Eastern Salt range)
Nammal Gorge (Western Salt range)
Zaluch Nala (Western Salt range)
The description and Stratigraphy of the above three Gorges are
explained as:
AGE GROUP &FORMATION LITHOLOGY
Pleistocene and late
pliocene
Kalabagh Conglomerates
(naushahra sandstone and
conglomerates)
Brown and gray
conglomerates with
sandstone and clay
interbeds
Major Unconformity
Pliocene &
late Miocene
SIWALIK
GROUP
SOAN
light coloured sandstone &
conglomerate light red and
gray clays
Late Miocene
Dhok Pathan
Red-brown clays with gray
sandstone; conglomeratic
near Indus
Nagri
Greenish –gray sandstone
and clays; Conglomeratic
near Indus
Middle
Miocene Chinji
Bright red clays with
sandstone
Early Miocene
Rawalpindi
GROUP
Kamlial
Massive red and brown
sandstones, dark red clays
Muree
Massive sandstones, dark
red and purplish clay-shales;
basal conglomerate

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Major Unconformity
Early
Eocene
Chharat
Group
Chor Gali
(Bhadar Beds)
Olive-green shales with
bedded Limestones
Sakesar
Massive and nodular
limestones, with marls;
chert in upper part
Nammal
Light gray calcareous
shales and limestone
Paleocene
Makarwal
Group
Patala
Green shales with coal
seam in east; thin
limestones
Lockhart
(Khairabad)
Gray, semi-nodular and
marly limestones
Hangu
(dhak pass)
Impure limestones,
sandstones, and shales,
often carbonaceous
Major Unconformity
Early
cretaceous Surghar
group
Lumshiwal Light-colored sandstones
with carbonaceous bands
Early
cretaceous &
late Jurassic
Chichali
(belemnite beds)
Dark green to black
glauconitic shales and
sandstones
Unconformity
Middle Jurassic
Baroch
Group
Samana suk
(baroch
limestones)
Gray and purple bedded
limestones with shale
interbeds
Early
Jurassic
Shinawari Alternating limestone,
shale and siltstone;
sandstone at top
Data
(variegated beds)
Sandstones with
limestones, carbonaceous
shales and lateritic zones
Unconformity
Late
Triassic
Musakhel
Group
Kingriali
(kingriali
dolomite)
Massive light colored
dolomite and dolomitic
limestones, with sandstones
Middle
Triassic
Tredian
(kingriali
sandstone)
Massive gray and purplish
sandstone, with thin
carbonaceous bands

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Early
Triassic
Mianwali
(ceratite beds)
Olive-green and gray shales
with thin limestones and
sandstones
Paraconformity
Late
Permian
Zaluch
Group
Chhidru
(Up. Productus)
Limestone, marl and
calcareous sandstone
Wargal
(Middle
Productus)
Massive gray limestones;
occasional thin
carbonaceous bands
Amb
(Lower
Productus)
Calcareous sandstone and
impure limestone;
carbonaceous shale
interbeds
Early
Permian
Nilawahan
Group
Sardhai
(Lavender clays)
Dark purple and lavender
clays with subordinate
sandstones
Warchha
(Speckled
sandstones)
Red and light colored
sandstones and grits in part
arkosic; calys interbeds
Dandot
(conularia beds)
Olive-green and gray
sandstones and shales,
occasionally carbonaceous
Tobra
(talchir
conglomerates)
Conglomeratic sandstones
and shales, boulders mainly
igneous or metamorphic
Major Unconformity
Middle
&
Early(?)
Cambrian
Jhelum
group
Jhelum
Group
Baghanwala( salt
pseudomorph
beds)
Blood-red shales and
flaggy sandstones; with salt
pseudomorphs
Jutana
(magnesian
sandstone)
Massive light-colored
dolomite and dolomitic
sandstones; subordinate
shales
Kussak
(neobolus shales)
Gray and purplish shales
and glauconitic sandstones;
pebble-bed at base
Khewra
(purple
sandstones)
Massive maroon fine-
textured sandstones;
maroon shales and flags
below

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Eocambrian Salt Range Formation
Red gypseous marl with
rocksalt; gypsum-dolomite
above; occasional oil shale
Central Salt Range:
CHHARAT GROUP:
NAMMAL FORMATION:
This formation is the first member of the Cherat group. Cherat
group represents the Eocene strata of the Salt range.
HISTORY:
“Nammal limestone and shale” by Gee (1935), “Nammal
Shale” by Danilchik and Shah (1967), is named as Nammal formation by
Stratigraphic committee of Pakistan.
LITHOLOGY:
Main lithology of this formation is shale, marl and limestone
alterations. Shale is gray to green and fossiliferrous. Lime stone is gray to
bluish, argillaceous and highly fossiliferrous. Marl is light gray to bluish
gray and is also fossiliferrous.
ENVIRONMENT OF DEPOSITION:
Environment of deposition of this formation is shallow
marine to lagoonal environment.
THICKNESS:
Thickness of this formation at its type locality is 100m.
CONTACT:
The upper contact of this formation is with overlying
Sakessar formation and is transitional and conformable. The lower
contact of this formation is with underlying Patala formation and this
contact is also conformable.
FOSSILS AND AGE:
Various fossils found in this formation are Foraminifera and
mollusks. Due to the presence of these fossils, age assigned to this
formation is Early Eocene.

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SAKESSAR LIMESTONE:
This formation is the second member of the Cherat Group.
HISTORY:
“Sakessar Limestone” by Gee in 1935 was accepted by the
Stratigraphic committee of Pakistan.
LITHOLOGY:
Bulk of lithology of this formation is limestone which is cream to
light gray in color, nodular, and massive in the upper part and also highly
fossiliferrous. Light gray colored Marl is also found in the top most part
and having Chert nodules.
THICKNESS:
Thickness of this formation in Salt range is from70-150m.
CONTACT:
The upper contact is with Chorgali formation and this contact is
transitional and conformable. The lower contact is with Nammal
formation and it is also conformable.
FOSSILS AND AGE:
Various fossils
found in this formation are
Foraminifera, Mollusks
and Echinoids. Due to the
presence of these fossils,
the age assigned to this
formation is Early Eocene.
The last member of Cherat
group is missing in the
Nammal gorge. So the
Sakessar formation is the
last formation that we have seen in the Nammal gorge.
CHORGALI FORMATION:
This is the 1st
member of Cherat Group.
HISTORY:
“Chorgali beds” by Pascoe (1920) has been formalized as Chorgali
Formation by SCP. This formation also represents the “Passage beds” of
Pinfold (1918) in the Attock area “Badhrar beds” of Gee and Evans (in
Davies and Pinfold 1937) in the Salt Range and “Lora Formation” of
Latif (1970a) in the Hazara area.

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LOCATION & TYPE SECTION:
The section exposed in the Chorgali Pass (Lat. 33°26'30"N :
Long. 72°41'E) in the Khair-e-Murat Range, has been chosen as the type
section.
LITHOLOGY:
According to Cheema et al. (1977), the formation is
composed of shale and limestone.
In the Khair-e-Murat Range, it is divisible into two distinct units.
The lower unit comprises dolomitic limestone and shale. The upper unit
is composed predominantly of shale with one thick bed of dark grey
limestone and a bed of nodular argillaceous limestone near the top.
In Salt Range, the formation is also divisible into two parts. The
lower part consists of shale and limestone, while the upper part is mainly
limestone.
DISTRIBUTION:
The formation is distributed in the eastern Salt Range, Kala
Chitta Range, Khair-e-Murat Range and in the Hazara area.
THICKNESS:
It is 150 m thick at Chorgali Pass, 30 m in Tarki, 15m at
Bahadurkhel and about 45 m in southeastern Hazara.
CONTACT:
In the Salt Range, the formation conformably overlies the
Sakesar Limestone and at other places Margala Hill Limestone.
In the Salt Range, it is unconformably overlain by the
Murree Formation, while conformably in other areas by the Kuldana
Formation.
FOSSILS:
A rich fossil assemblage including foraminifers, mollusks
and ostracodes has been reported by Davies and Pinfold (1937), Eames
(1952), Gill (1953) and Latif (1970c).
WESTERN SALT RANGE:
ZALUCH NALA:
Zaluch Nala is located in the western Salt range. It is the type
locality of the Zaluch group rocks.
In this Nala we have studied
Lei Conglomerate which are Quaternary deposits.

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LEI CONGLOMERATE:
Lei conglomerates are quaternary deposits. The name “Lei
Conglomerates” was introduced by Gill in 1952 but it was earlier named
as “Boulder Conglomerate” by Pilgrim in 1910.
This conglomerate consists of poorly sorted pebbles and boulders of
mostly Eocene rocks, with a small proportion of older sedimentary rocks,
quartzites and igneous rocks. The conglomerate is intercalated with beds
of soft sandstone and siltstone of pale brown to dark brown color.
This conglomerate is different from the conglomerate of the Tobra
formation in sense that there are no bedding planes in Lei Conglomerate
but they are present in Tobra formation.
Lei conglomerates are known as FANGLOMERATES because the
environment of deposition of this formation is Fluvial.
Lei conglomerate
NILAWAHAN GROUP:
These rocks are of Lower Permian age. It includes Tobra
formation, Dandot formation, Warcha Sand stone and Sardhai formation.
TOBRA FORMATION:
This formation is the first member of the Neela Wahan group.
Neela Wahan group represent
the Lower Permian strata of
the Salt range.
HISTORY:
“Talchir boulder beds” by
Gee and “Talchir stage” by
Pascoe in 1959 was now
named as Tobra formation by
stratigraphic committee of
Pakistan.

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LITHOLOGY:
Main lithology of this formation is conglomerate, sandstone and shale.
Conglomerate of this formation is polymictic which means that clasts of
this formation are derived from various sources. Pink colored Granite
clasts are very common in these conglomerates which are the part of the
“Nager Parker granite” in Sindh. Metamorphic slates are also present in
this formation. Striations are also present in this formation which
indicates Glacio-Fluvial environment of deposition of this formation.
ENVIRONMENT OF DEPOSITIION:
Environment of deposition of this formation is
Glacio-Fluvial and Fluvial environment.
THICKNESS:
Thickness of
this formation is 20m in type
locality but 133m in the western
Salt range.
CONTACT:
The upper
contact of this formation is with
Dandot formation which is
transitional and conformable.
The lower contact of this
formation in Zaluch Nala is with Lei conglomerate which is an
unconformable contact.
FOSSIL AND AGE:
Various fossils reported from this formation are pollens,
spores etc. Age assigned to this formation is Lower Permian.
WARCHHA SANDSTONE:
This formation is the third member of the Neela Wahan
group. The second member of this group i.e. Dandot formation is missing
in the Zaluch Nala.
HISTORY:
“Warcha Group” by Noetling (1901) is named as
Warcha Sandstone by Hussein Ahmed in 1967.
LITHOLOGY:
This formation is mostly consisting of Sandstone of red
to maroon color which indicates oxidizing conditions. Sandstone is
medium to coarse grained and mostly thick bedded and massive. Pebbles
of granite and quartzite are also present. Carbonaceous shale and coal are
also present.

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ENVIRONMENT OF DEPOSITION:
Environment of deposition of this formation is
non-marine, sub aerial to paludal.
THICKNESS:
Thickness of this formation at its type locality is 26-80m.
CONTACT:
The upper contact of this formation is with overlying Sardhai
formation which is conformable. The lower contact of this formation is
with underlying Dandot formation which is also transitional and
conformable.
FOSSIL AND AGE:
Some plants remains are found in this formation. Age
aasigned to this formation is Early Permian.
SARDHAI FORMATION:
This formation is the fourth and last member of the
Neela Wahan group.
HISTORY:
“Upper part of the Warcha group” by Noetling (1901) is named
as “Lavender Clays” or “Sardhai formation” by Gee and Pascoe in1959.
LITHOLOGY:
This formation mainly consists of bluish to greenish
colored clay, minor gray sandstone and gypsum and calcareous beds in
the upper part.
ENVIRONMENT OF DEPOSITION:
Environment of deposition of this formation is very
shallow reducing marine to estuarine environment.
THICKNESS:
Thickness of this formation at its type locality is 42m
and in western Salt range its thickness is 65m.
CONTACT:
Upper contact of this formation is with overlying Amb
formation which is conformable contact. Lower contact of this formation
is with Warcha Sandstone which is also conformable.
FOSSIL AND AGE:
Brachiopods are commonly found in this formation. Age
assigned to this formation is Early Permian.

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Sardhai Clays.
ZALUCH GROUP:
AMB FORMATION:
It is the first member of Zaluch Group. Zaluch group
represents the Upper Permian strata of the Salt range.
HISTORY:
“Amb sandstone beds” by Waagen (1891), “Amb
formation” by Teichert is now called as Amb formation by SCP.
LITHOLOGY:
This formation consists of thin to medium bedded
sandstone and limestone. Thin beds of shale are also present. In some
portion limestone and sandstone are mixed. When limestone is less then
sandstone, then it is called as Limy sandstone. Limestone is light grey on
fresh surface and grey to brown on weathered surface. Fractures are also
present in limestone. Thin layers of organic shale are also present in this
formation.
ENVIROMENT OF DEPOSITION:
Environment of deposition of this
formation is Shallow marine to palludal.
THICKNESS:
This formation is well developed
in the western Salt range and thin out east wards.
Thickness of this formation is 80m in type locality
and 47 m in Khisor range.
CONTACTS:
Upper contact with Wargal
limestone is conformable and the lower contact
with Sardhai formation is also conformable but
not present in the Nammal gorge.

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FOSSIL AND AGE:
This formation is highly fossiliferrous. Typical microfossils
are Forms. Most important fossil group is foraminifera. Example of this
group is fusulina which is macrofossil in this microfossil group.
Brachiopods are also present. Due to presence of these fossils the age
assigned to this formation is Upper Permian. Monodeoxydiacathonxis
(rice like fossils) also seen here.
WARGAL LIMESTONE:
It is the second member of the Zaluch group.
HISTORY:
“Wargal group” by Noetling (1901), “Middle Productus
limestone” by Waagen (1879), is now called as Wargal limestone by
stratigraphic committee of Pakistan.
LITHOLOGY:
This formation is consists of limestone and dolomite.
Limestone is argillaceous, somewhat nodular, thin to medium bedded and
highly fossiliferous. Dolomite is pinkish grey in color and massive. Black
colored chert nodules are also present in it. Small scale fault is also
visible in this formation.
ENVIRONMENT OF DEPOSITION:
Environment of deposition of this formation is shallow marine
shelful, and littoral to super-0tidal environment.
THICKNESS:
This formation is well distributed in the Salt range and Khisor
Range. Its thickness in Zaluch Nala is 182m.
CONTACT:
Lower contact with Amb formation is sharp and conformable and
upper contact with Chidru formation is also transitional and conformable.
FOSSILS AND AGE:
This formation is highly fossiliferous. Various fossils found
are Brachiopods, Gastropods, Ammonoids, trilobites etc. Index specie
Productus (brachiopod) is also found abundantly in this formation. Due to
presence of these fossils age assigned to this formation is Middle
Permian.

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CHHIDRU FORMAITON:
This formation is third member of Zaluch group.
HISTORY:
“Chidru beds” by Waagen (1891), “Chidru Group” by
Dunbar (1932) is now called as Chidru formation by the stratigraphic
committee of Pakistan.
LITHOLOGY:
Main lithology of this formation included limestone,
sandstone, and limy sandstone. At the base of the formation, Shale unit of
grey to dark grey color is also present. The upper most part has well
marked Sandstone bed, which is the marker horizon and distinguishing
character of this formation.
ENVIRONMENT OF DEPOSITION:
Environment of deposition of this formation is shallow
marine, littoral to palludal.
THICKNESS:
This formation is well distributed in the western Salt
ranges and Trans Indus ranges. Its average thickness at the type locality is
64m.
CONTACT:
The lower contact of this formation with Wargal
limestone is conformable and transitional. The upper contact with
Mianwali formation is disconformable.
FOSSILE AND AGE:Various fossils reported from Chidru formation
are Brachiopods and ammonoites. Due to the presence of these fossils age
assigned to this formation is Late Permian.
THE PERMO-TRIASSIC BOUNDARY:
(The passage of Marine Permian to Marine Triassic)
The Permian rocks located in the Salt Range have
richness of fauna and having relationship with the rocks of Triassic
system, the strata near the Permo-Triassic boundary are marine and
having conformable relationship but there is significant break in the fauna
at the contact.

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Kummel and Teichert in 1966 referred to the body as Paraconformity
showing sub-Arial exposure at the end of the Permian time. In support to
this view, they thoroughly studied the contact throughout the Salt range to
find out the lithological and textural changes across the boundary. Their
work is briefly summarized as under. The upper most lithological unit of
Chidru formation is sandstone bed called as white sandstone bed. The
sandstone is fine to medium grained, thinly bedded with interbeds of
shale while the upper contact with Kathwai member of Mianwali
formation is dolomite.
The Permo-Triassic boundary is marked by the following properties:
There is abrupt change in the lithology at the boundary of the two system
i.e. white sandstone of Upper Permian and dolomite at the base of
Triassic.
The upper most sandstone bed shows decrease in faunal contents which
indicate change in depositional environment during the deposition of
white sandstone bed. Kathwai member on the other hand also lack fossils,
indicating shallow intertidal environment.
The variation in thickness of white sandstone bed indicates time gap
between Permian and Triassic rocks.
SALT RANGE FORMATION:
It is the oldest and only Pre-Cambrian age formation
exposed in the Khewra Gorge. It has three members:
Sehwal marl member:
This member is further divide into two parts:
It consists of dull red marl beds with some salt seems. Thick beds of
Gypsum are also found. Thickness of this part is >40m.
It consists of the bright red marl beds with irregular gypsum. KHEWRA
TRAP is also present in this part. Thickness of this part is 3-100m.
Bandarkas Gypsum member:
It is mainly massive gypsum with some salt seems. Minor beds of
dolomite and clay are also present. Its thickness is >80m.
Billianwala Salt member:
It consists of Ferrogenous red marl with thick seems of salt. Its thickness
is >650m.
Conjugate fractures are present in all the members.
CONTACT:
Lower contact of the Salt range formation is not exposed but in some oil
wells crystalline basement rocks are found. The upper contact with the

23. 23
Khewra sandstone of Jehlum group is conformable. Thickness of this
formation is >830m.
ENVIROMENT OF DEPOSITION:
Environment of deposition is restricted basin condition with high rate of
evaporation and climate is hot and arid.
Salt Range Formation.
KHEWRA TRAP:
Khewra trap is highly weathered igneous body about 6m
thick present in the upper member of the Salt rage formation. It is purple
to green in color. Characteristic feature is that it consists of highly
decomposed radiating needles of light colored Pyroxene mineral. Its
origin is crustal thinning due to normal faulting.
MUSAKHEL GROUP:
MIANWALI FORMATION:
It is the first member of the Musa Khel group. Musa Khel
group represents the Triassic strata of the Salt range.
HISTORY:
“Lower part of Mianwali series” by Gee (1959), “Top most
limestone and dolomite beds” by Waagen (1879) was named as
“Mianwali formation” by Kummel in (1969).
LITHOLOGY:
This formation is mainly composed of limestone, siltstone,
dolomite, shale and sandstone. This formation is divided into three
members:

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Kathwai member:
It is the lower most part of the Mianwali formation and
mainly consist of crystalline dolomite and interbedding of Shale.
Mitti wala member:
It is the middle part of the Mianwali formation and consists
of green shale beds with sandstone and limestone interbedded.
Narmia member:
It is the lower most member of the Mianwali formation and
mainly consists of sandy dolomite, and dark gray to brown color
limestone. Sandstone interbeds are also found in this part.
ENVIRONMENT OF DEPOSITION:
Environment of deposition of this formation is open
marine to deltaic environment.
THICKNESS:
Thickness of this formation is 127m.
CONTACT:
The lower contact with Chhidru formation is marked
by Paraconformity and the upper contact with overlying Tredian
formation is sharp, well defined and conformable.
FOSSIL AND AGE:
The various fossils found in this formation are
ceratites (cephalopod), brachiopods, and conodonts. Due to the presence
of these fossils the age assigned to this formation is Lower Triassic.
TREDIAN FORMATION:
It is the second member of the Musa Khel group.
HISTORY:
“Kingriali Sandstone” by Gee (1948), is called as “Tredian
formation” by Kummel and Gee in 1966.
LITHOLOGY:
Main lithology of this formation is sandstone, which is
medium to thick bedded and upper part is massive. Few beds of shale,
siltstone and sandy limestone are also found.
ENVIRONMENT OF DEPOSITION:
Environment of deposition of this formation is shallow
marine to deltaic.
THICKNESS:
The thickness of this formation in Zaluch Nala is 76m.
CONTACT:
Lower contact with Mianwali formation is sharp, well-
defined and conformable. The upper contact with Kingriali formation is
also gradational and conformable.

25. 25
FOSSIL AND AGE:
The various fossils found in this formation are plant
microfossils. Due to the presence of these fossils the age assigned to this
formation is Middle Triassic.
Contact between Tredian and Kingrilai Formations
KINGRIALI FORMATION:
It is the third and last member of the Musakhel group.
HISTORY:
“Kingriali Dolomite” by Gee (1943) is named by Gee again
in 1945 as “Kingriali formation”.
LITHOLOGY:
The bulk of lithology is dolomite, dolomitic limestone with
interbeds of dolomitic shale. The dolomite is thin to medium bedded, fine
grained with inter beds of shale and marl. Cross beds are also present in
this formation.
ENVIRONMENT OF DEPOSITION:
Environment of deposition of this formation is shallow
marine environment.
THICKNESS:
The average thickness of this formation is 76-106m.
CONTACT:
Lower contact of this formation is with Tredian formation
and is conformable. Upper contact is with Datta formation of Jurassic age
and the contact is Disconformity.
FOSSIL AND AGE:
Poorly preserved Brachiopods, Bivalves, and crinoids are
present in this formation. Age assigned to this formation is Early Triassic.

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SURGHAR GROUP:
DATTA FORMATION:
This formation is the first member of the Surgher Group.
Surgher group represents the Jurassic and Cretaceous strata of the Salt
Range.
HISTORY:
“Variegated stages” by Gee
(1945), “Lower part of Samana beds” by
Davies (1930) is named as “Datta
formation” by Danilchik in1961.
LITHOLOGY:
Variegated beds of
sandstone, siltstone and shale of different
colors are present in this formation.
Sandstone is red to maroon, grey, green and
white in color. Shale, siltstone and
mudstone are irregularly distributed. In the upper part thick beds of
maroon shale are also present. Sulpher is mostly present in this formation
indicating swamp or deltaic environment.
ENVIRONMENT OF DEPOSITION:
Environment of deposition of
this formation is very shallow marine to
deltaic and alluvial plains.
THICKNESS:
Thickness of formation at its
type locality is 212m.
CONTACT:
Upper contact of this
formation with overlying Shinawri formation
is gradational and conformable. Lower contact
with underlying Kingriali formation is
disconformable.
FOSSIL AND AGE:
This formation is poorly fossiliferrous but some petrified
wood is present there. Age assigned to this formation is Jurassic.

27. 27
SHINAWARI FORMATION:
This formation is the second member of the Sur Gher group.
HISTORY:
“Lowest Samana Beds” by Davies (1930), “Lower part of
Kyoto Limestone” by cutler (1933), is named as Shinawri formation by
Fatmi in 1961.
LITHOLOGY:
Main lithology of this formation is medium to coarse
bedded limestone which is of gray to brownish gray color. It is well
bedded, sandy, oolitic with nodular marl, shale and sandstone. Lime stone
in the lower part has thick sandstone bed in middle and maroon shale in
the upper part.
ENVIRONMENT OF DEPOSITION:
Environment of deposition of this formation is shallow
marine, deltaic, tidal flats and estuarine environment.
THICKNESS:
Thickness of this formation at type locality is 400m.
CONTACT:
Upper contact of this formation is with overlying Samana
Suk formation and is transitional and conformable .Lower contact with
underlying Datta formation is also Conformable.
FOSSIL AND AGE:
Various fossils found in this formation are Ammonoites,
Brachiopods and corals. Due to the presence of these fossils age assigned
to this formation is Middle Jurassic.
SAMANA SUK FORMATION:
This formation is third member of Sur Gher group. Few beds
of this formation are present in Nammal gorge but it is undifferentiated
from the Shinawri formation.
HISTORY:
“Bared limestone” by Gee, “Upper part of Kyoto limestone”
by Cutler (1933) is named as Samana Suk formation by Davies in 1930.
LITHOLOGY:
Main lithology of this formation is medium to thick bedded
limestone of gray to dark gray color. This limestone is oolitic with shale
beds with subordinate marl and calcareous shale.
ENVIRONMENT OF DEPOSITION:
Environment of deposition this formation is shallow marine
shelful to supertidal environment.

28. 28
THICKNESS:
Thickness of this formation at type locality is 186m.
CONTACT:
Lower contact of this formation with underlying Shinawri
formation is conformable and upper contact with overlying Chichali
formation is disconformable.
FOSSIL AND AGE:
Various fossils found in this formation are Brachiopods,
bivalves, Gastropods and Crinoids. Due to presence of these fossils age
assigned to this formation is Middle Jurassic.
The rest of the three members of Sur Gher group i.e. Chichali formation,
Lumshiwal formation and Kawagarh formation are absent in along a
major unconformity Named as K.T Boundary.
K.T BOUNDARY:
(Cretaceous-Tertiary Boundary)
At the end of the Mesozoic era and before the beginning
of the Cenozoic era, there was a major Disconformity in geologic history.
If we study the rocks of the Paleocene age, we find a total displacement
of almost all the life on earth. The dinosaurs, plants, invertebrates etc. all
are disappeared. This major Disconformity is seen all over the world. It is
represented in Pakistan in the form of the laterite bed at the bottom of the
Hangu formations as we go from Kawagarh formation within Hangu
formation. In the lower Indus basin, it is represented between the Moro
group and Ranikot group.
Scientists all over the world have presented their ideas on
this matter out of which three are well known.
Meteorite impact theory:
According to this a meteorite stuck the earth near the Gulf
of Mexico. As a result a huge cloud rose which block the sun rays from
reaching the earth’s surface. As a result all living creatures died due to
their dependence on sunlight as a primary source of energy.
Volcanic activity:
According to this theory, during this period repeated
volcanic activity cause the formation of the huge dust clouds. Eventually
blocking sunlight and other sources, thus causing the death of the living
creatures on the earth.

29. 29
Change in the earth’s Magnetic field:
According to this theory, the sudden reversal of the earth’s
magnetism distributed the living systems, which could not adjust to the
new magnetic field and thus resulted in the death of all the living
organisms.
After this event some of the organisms survived. Thus these organisms
are seen nowadays having different structural features as compared to
these before this event.
MAKARWAL GROUP:
HANGU FORMATION:
This formation is the first member of the Makarwal group.
Makarwal group represents the Paleocene strata of the Salt range.
HISTORY:
The “Hangu Shale” and “Hangu Sandstone” by Davies
(1930) have been formalized by the stratigraphic committee of Pakistan
as Hangu formation.
LITHOLOGY:
This formation consists of dark grey, rarely variegated
sandstone, shale, carbonaceous shale, and some nodular argillaceous
limestone. The sandstone is white, light gray, and reddish brown,
weathers dark rusty
brown, fine to coarse
grained and medium to
thick bedded.
THICKNESS:
In the
Salt range area this
formation is 40 to 45m
thick.
CONTACT:
The upper
contact of this
formation is with
Lockhart formation and this contact is transitional and conformable. The
upper contact of this formation is with Samana Suk formation and this
contact is unconformable.
FOSSILS AND AGE:
The various fossils found in this formation are foraminifera
with some corals, gastropods and bivalves. Due to the presence of these
fossils, the age assigned to this formation is Paleocene.

30. 30
LOCKHART FORMATION:
This formation is the second member of the Makarwal Group.
HISTORY:
Davis (1930) introduced the term Lockhart Limestone for a
paleocene limestone unit in the kohat area.
LITHOLOGY:
Grey to dark gray, medium to thick massive bedded, brecciated
limestone. The limestone displays very well developed nodularity. The
nodularity may be caused by any of the following four reasons.
 Organic activity
 Differential compaction
 Pressure solution
 Stretching
ENVIRONMENT OF DEPOSITION:
The environment of deposition is shallow marine shelf
conditions where calcite is precipated in warm water to form limestone.
THICKNESS:
In the Samana Range the formation is 60 meter thick.
CONTACT:
The upper contact with Patala formation is transitional and
conformable. The lower contact is with Hangu formation and the contact
is also conformable.
FOSSILS AND AGE:
The limestone contains abundant foraminifers, corals,
mollucs, Echinoids and algea. On the basis of these fossils the age of the
formation is assigned as Middle Paleocene.
PATALA FORMATION:
This formation is the third member of Makarwal group.
HISTORY:
Davies Pinfold (1937) named it as Patala shale which later
was renamed as the Patala Formation by the SCP.
LITHOLOGY:
Alternate beds of Shale, Clay and limestone. Thin bedded
sandstone and some interbedded marl and conglomerate are also present.
ENVIRONMENT OF DEPOSITION:
The environment of deposition is transitional, continental and
deltaic marine environment.
THICKNESS:

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Type locality is in Patala nala located in the salt range area,
where the thickness of the formation is 90 meters.
CONTACTS:
The upper contact with overlying Nammal formation is
transitional and conformable. The lower contact is with Lockhart
formation and it is also transitional and conformable.
FOSSILS AND AGE:
The formation is richly fossiliferrous and contains abundant
foraminifera and mollusks. On the basis of the above mentioned fauna,
the age assigned to this formation is Late Paleocene.
۞ CREDITS ۞
With the Grace of ALLAH (THE most merciful
and beneficent ) I have completed my this report of Salt Range Field.
This all credit goes to my dear Parents, respected Teachers and fellows
who always remembered me in their prayers, guided me through their
best and gave me a backup while doing this tough job.
I want to thank them all.
REFRENCE:
1. The Geological Survey of Pakistan (volume 22)
2. Stratigraphy of Pakistan – by S.M.Ibrahim Shah
3. www.brooks/cole.com/geology
4. www.mcgraw-hill.co.uk/geology
5. www.gsp.gov.pk/pakistan/index.html
6. www.wikipedia.com/geology