FIELD REPORT EASTERN SALT RANGE AND WESTERN SALT RANGE OF THE MAIN SALT RANGE.

1. FEILDWORK REPORT
DEPTT：[ GEOLOGY]
SUBMITTED BY：[MANSOOR AZIZ]
SUBMITTED TO：[SIR MUHAMMAD AWAIS]
Due Date：[23/05/2016]

2. Brief ContentsChapter 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

3. Salt Range Formation
i. Sehwal marl member
ii. Bandarkas gypsum member
iii. Billianwala salt member
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:
REFRENCE

4. 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.
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. 9 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.
We have visited the following three Gorges in the main Salt range during our field to

5. that region:
Khewra Gorge (Eastern Salt range)
Nammal Gorge (Western Salt range)
Zaluch Nala (Western Salt range)
EASTERN SALT RANGE
Station # 1
At station 1, there was Sakesar Limestone and location was Katas. This formation is the
second member of the Chharat Group. Lithology of this formation is limestone which is
cream to light gray in color, nodular, and massive in the upper part and also highly
fossiliferous. Chert nodules are present in Sakesar Limestone (fig. 3). Mostly forams are
present in this formation. Mollusks and Echinoids are also present, due to the presence
of these fossils, the age assigned to this formation is Early Eocene. Its environment of
deposition is shallow marine. The upper contact is with Chorgali Formation and this
contact is conformable (fig. 4). The lower contact is with Nammal Formation and it is also
conformable. Chorgali is the last member of Chharat group and is of Early Eocene age.
Main lithology of Chorgali is olive green shale with bedded limestone (fig. 5). According
to the GPS data (32°43.482' N and 72°57.451' E) satellite image of the study area (fig. 2)
and elevation is 690 meter.
Station # 2
At station 2, there was Tobra Conglomerate. This formation is the first member of the
Nilawahan group. Nilawahan group represent the Lower Permian strata of the Salt range.
Main lithology of this formation is conglomerate (fig. 6), 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. Environment of
deposition of this formation is Glacio-Fluvial and Fluvial environment. Various fossils
reported from this formation are pollens, spores etc. Age assigned to this formation is

6. Lower Permian. The upper contact of this formation is with Dandot Formation and
conformable. The lower contact of this formation in Zaluch Nala is with Lei conglomerate
which is an unconformable contact. On basis of GPS data (32°40.591' N and 72°58.252' E)
satellite image of the study area (fig. 2) and elevation is 677 meter.
Station # 3
At station 3, there was Baghanwala formation. This formation is the last member of
Jehlum group. Main lithology of this formation is blood-red shales and flaggy
sandstones; with salt pseudomorphs (fig. 7). Sandstone is thick bedded while shale is
thin bedded. The upper contact of the Baghanwala Formation with the overlying Tobra
Formation is unconformable which can be easily seen on Khewra-Choa Saidan Shah road
(fig. 8), whereas the lower contact with the Jutana Formation is conformable.
Environment of deposition of Baghanwala Formation is Lagoonal environment.
According to GPS data (32°40.089' N and 72°58.931' E) satellite image of the study area
(fig. 2) and elevation is 652 meter.

7. Station # 4
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
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.
Kewra trap is shown in the fig below;

8. At station 4, there was contact between Khewra Sandstone and Salt Range Formation in
Khewra Gorge which is a thrust fault (fig. 9). Khewra Sandstone is the first member of
Jehlum group and is of Early Cambrian in age. Main lithology of Khewra Sandstone is
Shale and purple sandstones. Environment of deposition of Khewra Sandstone is deltaic
environment. There were climbing ripple marks in Khewra Sandstone (fig. 10). While Salt
Range Formation is of Pre-Cambrian age and is also called as Punjab Saline Series. Main
lithology of this formation is red gypseous marl with rock salt, gypsum-dolomite above;
occasional oil shale. Marl is bright reddish in color. Environment of deposition of Salt
Range Formation is evaporitic environment. According to GPS data (32°40.075' N and
73°00.287' E) satellite image of the study area (fig. 2).
Station # 5
At station 5, there was contact between Khewra Sandstone and Kussak Formation in
Khewra Gorge. Kussak Formation is of Early Middle Cambrian and is the second member
of Jehlum group. Main lithology of Kussak Formation is gray-purplish shales and
glauconitic sandstones. Lower contact with underlying Khewra Sandstone is conformable
and upper contact with overlying Jutana Formation is also conformable. Its environment

9. of deposition is marine environment. On the basis of GPS data (32°40.185' N and
73°00.227' E) satellite image of the study area (fig. 2) and elevation is 369 meter.
Station # 6
At station 6, there was Khewra Trap in Khewra Gorge which is the product of only
igneous activity in the entire Salt range (fig. 12). Khewra Trap is also known as
“Khewrite”. It is a thin flow of an ultrapotassic rock (silica-under-saturated rock) and is
purple reddish, brown, orange to buff, rarely dark green 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. According to GPS data
(32°40.016' N and 73°00.291' E) satellite image of the study area and elevation is 340
meter.
WESTERN SALT RANGE
Zaluch Nala
The different areas that we visited in Zaluch Nala of the western salt range are marked in
the following satellite image on the basis of GPS data taken in the field.
Figure

10. Station # 1
At station 1, there was Tobra Conglomerate in Zaluch Nala. This formation is the first
member of the Nilawahan group. Nilawahan group represent the Lower Permian strata
of the Salt range. Main lithology of this formation is conglomerate (fig. 14), 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.
Environment of deposition of this formation is Glacio-Fluvial and Fluvial environment.
The upper contact of this formation is with Dandot formation but in Zaluch Nala, Dandot
formation is missing so the upper contact is unconformable. The lower contact of this
formation in Zaluch Nala is with Lei conglomerate which is an unconformable contact.
According to GPS data (32°46.900' N and 71°38.359' E) satellite image of the study area
and elevation is 270 meter

11. Station # 2
At station 1, there was Warchha Sandstone in Zaluch Nala. The second member of this
group i.e. Dandot formation is missing in the Zaluch Nala. Warchha Sandstone is of Early
Permian and sandstone which is medium to coarse grained and mostly thick bedded and
massive. Sandstone is of red to maroon and light in color. The sandstone is arkosic. The
formation is locally speckled which caused the previous workers to call it as "Speckled
sandstone". Cross bedding in Warchha Sandstone (fig. 16). Environment of deposition of
this formation is fluvial (flood plain). The upper contact of this formation is with
overlying Sardhai Formation which is conformable. The lower contact of this formation is
unconformable in Zaluch Nala. On the basis of GPS data (32°46.892' N and 71°38.261' E)
satellite image of the study area (fig. 13) and elevation is 268 meter. is the third member
of the Nilawahan group. Main lithology of this formation is
Station # 3
At station 3, there was Amb Formation in Zaluch Nala. Amb Formation is the first
member of Zaluch Group and is of Late Permian age. This formation consists of thin to
medium bedded sandstone and limestone . Environment of deposition of this formation
is shallow marine to paludal (marsh - dominated by herbs). Thin beds of shale are also
present. Upper contact with Wargal limestone is conformable and the lower contact with
Sardhai formation is also conformable. According to GPS data (32°46'52.41" N and
71°38'42.95" E) satellite image of the study area .

12. Station # 4
At station 4, there was contact between Amb Formation and Sardhai Formation in Zaluch
Nala . Sardhai Formation is the fourth or last member of Nilawahan Group and is of Early
Permian. Main lithology of Sardhai Formation is dark purple and lavender clays with
subordinate sandstones. Environment of deposition of this formation is fluvial
dominated delta (fluvial-marine). Upper contact of this formation is with overlying Amb
formation which is conformable contact. Lower contact of this formation with Warchha
Sandstone is also conformable. According to GPS data (32°46'59.62" N, 71°38'49.13" E)
satellite image of the study area (fig. 13).
Station # 5
At station 5, there was Datta Formation in Zaluch Nala. Datta Formation is the first
member of Baroch Group and is of Early Jurassic age. Main lithology of Datta formation
is Sandstones with limestones and carbonaceous shales. Environment of deposition of
this formation is very shallow marine to deltaic and alluvial plains. Upper contact of this
formation with overlying Shinawari Formation is gradational and conformable. Lower
contact with underlying Kingriali Formation is unconformable. According to GPS data

13. (32°47.249' N and 71°39.072' E) satellite image of the study area and elevation is 418
meter.
We observe datta fold also which is shown in below fig.

14. NAMAL GORGE;
The different areas that we visited in Nammal Gorge of the western salt range are
marked in the satellite image on the basis of GPS data taken in the field.
Station # 6
At station 6, there was contact between Sardhai Clays and Warchha Sandstone (fig. 21).
Sardhai Formation is including dark purple and lavender clays with subordinate
sandstones while Warchha Sandstone consist of red and light colored sandstones
(arkosic). According to GPS data (32°38.325' N, 71°47.581' E) satellite image of the study
area and elevation is 335 meter

15. Station # 7
At station 7, there was Chhidru Limestone in the Nammal Gorge. Chhidru Limestone is
the third member or last member of Zaluch Group and is of Late Permian age. Main
lithology of this formation is limestone, marl and calcareous sandstone. Environment of
deposition of this formation is shallow marine, littoral to paludal. The lower contact of
this formation with Wargal limestone is conformable. The upper contact with Mianwali
formation is not conformable (fig. 22). The boundary between Paleozoic Era and
Mesozoic Era is called Permo-Triassic boundary. It is passage of Marine Permian to
Marine Triassic. 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 which is a Paraconformity. According to GPS data (32°39.279'
N and 71°47.684' E) satellite image of the study area and elevation is 273 meter
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.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.

16. 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.
Station#8
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: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.

17. 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.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.
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

18. 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.
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.
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.Organicactivity,Differential
compaction,Pressuresolution ,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

19. 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.
Refrence; Straitigraphy of Pakistan by Ibrahim shah.