The report summarizes a 4-day geological field excursion from Islamabad to various locations in Sargodha and Chiniot districts of Pakistan. The excursion involved visiting different rock formations and structures. On the first day in Qilla Hills, the group observed light green dolerite containing amphibole and plagioclase intruding into quartzite. Convolution banding was also observed at the second station. The report provides details on the stratigraphy, locations visited, and field observations made each day to enhance the participants' geological knowledge.

1. REPORT
ON
A GEOLOGICAL FIELD EXCURSION FROM ISLAMABAD TO
KIRANA HILLS, SARGODHA, PAKISTAN
DEPERTMENT OF EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
BAHRIA UNIVERSITY ISLAMABAD
1

2. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
All praise to Allah Almighty who blessed me with the courage and ability to
work on this report and to compile it. I would like to thank the department of Earth
and Environmental Sciences, Bahria University for offering us this four days of field
work as a course in our semester, we gained a lot of information and cleared the
confusions for without field work it is very difficult to understand the theory. Special
thanks to Dr. Tehseenullah Khan, Professor Bahria University, Islamabad and
Mr. Saqib Mehmood, Assistant Professor, Bahria University, Islamabad whose
guidance, vast knowledge, experience and interest helped us a lot in understanding the
different geological features and rock formations and also helped us in enhancing our
practical knowledge of how to analyze different structures in the field. Also a very
special thanks to the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Bahria
University Islamabad, to arrange such an informative field excursion.
I

3. ABSTRACT
The report is about our field work in Sargodha and Chinot on the Kirana Hills.
This report contains general stratigraphy of the area we visited, topography of kirana
hills and the trip overview, personal conclusion and the information on the area,
location, tectonics, general stratigraphy and field observations of the different areas
that we visited in Sargodha and Chinot. This report has the theoretical knowledge of
what I learned during the four days of our work.
II

4. CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I
ABSTRACT
II
CHAPTER: 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1
Background
01
1.2
Purpose Of Field
01
1.3
Location and Accessibility
01
1.4
Methodology
03
CHAPER: 2
GENERAL GEOLOGY
2.1
Topography of the Kirana Hills
04
2.2
Formations of the study area
04
2.2.1
Hachi Formation
05
2.2.2
Tuguwali Formation
05
2.2.3
Asianwala Formation
05
2.2.4
Hadda Formation
06
2.2.5
Sharaban Formation
06
CHAPTER: 3
DAY: 1
CHAK 100 QILLA HILLS
3.1
Station: 1
08
3.2
Station: 2
09
CHAPTER: 4
4.1
DAY: 2
Station: 1
CHAK 102 SHARABAN AREA
11

5. 4.2
Station: 2
14
4.3
Station: 3
14
4.4
Station: 4
15
CHAPTER: 5
DAY: 3
SHAHEEN-ABAD & BULAND HILLS
5.1
Station: 1
16
5.2
Station: 2
17
5.3
Station: 3
18
5.4
Station: 4
19
5.5
Station: 5
19
5.6
Station: 6
21
CHAPER: 6
6.1
Station: 1
DAY: 4
CHINIOT
22
CONCLUSION
23
REFERENCES
24

6. LISTS OF FIGURES
PAGE NO.
Figure: 3.1
Light greenish coloured dolerite observed at station 1 Qilla
hills.
09
Figure: 3.2
Image of Dolerite with Quartzite
09
Figure: 3.3
Dolerite dike intruding into quartzite
10
Figure: 3.4
Chert present in Quartzite
10
Figure: 4.1
12
Figure: 4.3
Caving observed at Sharaban Area, station 1 due to
whirling of water as in physical weathering
Conglomerates, grading into slaty structure, observed at
sharaban area.
Sedimentary dike intruding in Quartzite
Figure: 4.4
Lens shaped Quartz veins
13
Figure: 4.5
Encirled Area shows the convolution banding in the
formation.
Jesper (Red variety of Quartz)
14
Opening of the cave where hematite is extracted. Iron
veins in the quartzite formation can be seen clearly
Iron bands or veins in the quartzite formation can be seen
clearly
Structure showing Rhyolite (Yellow) intruded between
Quartzite.
A figure showing Tuffaceous slate
15
18
Figure: 5.4
A picture of Basalt, there were calcite and quartz veins in
it
A picture showing Hachi boulders (Buland Hills)
Figure: 5.5
A snapshot of Rhyolite dike
20
Figure: 5.6
20
Figure: 5.7
Qaurtz veins can be seen clearly in this rhyolite dike
(extrusion)
Image showing sharp contact of rhyolite with slate.
Figure: 5.8
Quartzite and dolerite, pale yellow color can be observed
19
Figure: 4.2
Figure: 4.6
Figure: 4.7
Figure: 4.8
Figure: 5.1
Figure: 5.2
Figure: 5.3
12
13
14
15
17
18
19
20

7. Figure: 6.1
An image of Hematite sample
22
Figure: 6.2
Another picture showing the grains of micaceous
hematite in hand lens
Dandritic pattern observed at Chiniot
22
Figure: 6.3
22
LIST OF SKETCHES
PAGE NO.
Sketch 1
Sketches of day 1
i
Sketch 2
Sketches of day 2
ii
Sketch 3
Sketches of day 3
iii
Sketch 4
Sketches of day 4
iv

8. LIST OF MAPS
PAGE
NO.
02
Map: 1.1
Satellite image of Sargodha
Map: 1.2
Route map from Islamabad to Sargodha
02
Map: 1.3
Satellite image of Chiniot
03
Map: 2.1
Geological resource map of Kirana area
07
Map: 3.1
Route map from Sargodha to Chak 100 (Qilla Hills)
08
Map: 4.1
Route map from Sargodha to Chak 102
11
Map: 5.1
Route map from Sargodha to Shaheen-abad
16
Map: 6.1
Route map from Sargodha to Chiniot
22
Sharaban Area

9. CHAPTER : 1
INRTODUCTION
1.1
BACKGROUND
The Kirana area comprises of metasedimentary and igneous Precambrian rocks which
have been intruded by dykes and sills. An indication of mineralization in the form of
quartz veins is also present in the area but as yet no significant deposit has been
reported. The Kirana Hills are a major source of crushed rock aggregates for private
and public sectors in southern and central Punjab. The precambrian rocks are
considered to be very important throughout the world as these contain valuable
mineral deposits. Hematite mineralization has been noticed in the area.
1.2
PURPOSE OF FIELD
The primary purpose and objective of the field work was to enhance our
knowledge and to understand, how to analyze the different rock formations, how to
measure the dip and strike of the formations and draw rough sketches of the area.
Also the purpose was to make our practical knowledge more sound and to identify the
various features that are exposed in the outcrop.
1.3
LOCATION AND ACCESSIBILITY
Sargodha is the 11th largest city of Pakistan and 5th largest of Punjab. It is located
in the north-east of Pakistan. It is known as best citrus-producing and also one of the
ore producing cities of Pakistan. Map 1.1 shows the satellite view of Sargodha.
1

10. Map: 1.1 Satellite image of Sargodha
The coordinates of Sargodha are 32.0836° N and 72.6711° E. The city is easily
accessible from Islamabad via Islamabad motorway. Sargodha is located 206 km (128
miles) from Lahore the second largest city in Pakistan and 244 km (152 miles) from
Islamabad. The route map from Islamabad to Sargodha is shown below in map 1.2.
Map: 1.2 Route map from Bahria University Islamabad to Sargodha
2

11. Chiniot city is located between the heart of river Chenab with the heads of small
rocky hills, it is known for its wooden furniture architecture which has a great
attraction in all over the world. Map 1.3 shows the satellite view of Chiniot.
Map: 1.3 Satellite image of Chiniot
The coordinates of chiniot city are 31.7200° N and 72.9789° E. Chiniot is located
55km from Sargodha and is easily accessible.
1.4
METHODOLOGY
The methodology by which we studied Stratigraphy is:
Observe the formation members, outcrops, lithology and make cross-sections.
Measure the dip strike and draw the sketches of the deformational structures
Take samples and cross match to observe similarities and differences.
3

12. CHAPTER 2
GENERAL GEOLOGY
2.1
TOPOGRAPHY OF KIRANA HILLS
The Kirana Hills is a small mountain range in Pakistan's Punjab province. It
spans approximately 40 miles across the districts of Sargodha and Jhang. The highest
peak in the Kirana Hills is Koh-e-Kirana, which is about 980 feet high. The region is
also known as "Black Mountains" by locals because of the dark brown colors of the
range. The Kirana Hills and its environs are heavily infested with wild boar or wild
pig.
2.2
FORMATIONS OF THE STUDY AREA:
Table 2.1 shows the various formations of the Kirana area.
Group
Formation
Description
Sharaban formation
Conglomerates
with
intercalations.
Calcareous quartzites
Hadda formation
Machh Super
Group
Asianwala Formation
Tuguwali Formation
Chak 112 Conglomerates
Volcanogenic slates
Hachi volcanics
Volcanics
4
slate
Mainly quartzites with sub ordinate
quartz wackes / arenaceous slates,
gritty quartzites and slates, often
showing cross bedding and ripple
marks
Slates, fine grained quartz wackes /
arenaceous slates
Polymict conglomerate with clasts
of dolerite and acid
volcanics.
Often interbedded with rhyolite /
rhyolitic tuff and
dolerite
Dolerites, andesites, dacites, dacitic
tuff, rhyolites and
rhyolitic tuff.

13. 2.2.1
Hachi Formation
Named after the type Locality at Hachi Hill lies between latitude 31° 54' 09" N
and longitude 72° 41' 59" E, north of Sikhanwali railway station, this formation
consists of quartzites, slates, phyllites, tuffs and lava flows. At the type locality it is
404 m thick. The quartzites in the formation are light to medium grey, medium
grained and comprise rounded to subrounded quartz grains with clay minerals .The
tuffs are light grey, interlayered with lavas and metasediments. The lavas are largely
rhyoloitic to dacitic with minor andesite and no pillow structures.
2.2.2
Tuguwali Formation
This formation is named after the Taguwali Village which lies between the
latitude 31° 56'N and longitude 72° 42'E and the type section is south of Kirana Hill,
located at the coordinates 31° 58' 3''N and 72° 42' 0''E .This formation is entirely
composed of sedimentary rocks with phyllites and slates dominating its upper part,
slates in its middle part and cross bedded quartzites, phyllites and slates in its lower
part .The formation is about 1189 m thick. The lower contact of this formation with
the underlying Hachi formation is obscure. Its upper contact with the Asianwala
formation is gradational.
2.2.3
Asianwala Formation
The formation drives its name from the Asianwala canal rest house which lies
between latitude 31° 59' 38''N and 72° 43' 42''E. The Kirana Hill, near Sargodha, is
the type locality. This formation is largely comprised of quartzite with subordinate
intercalations of slate .The quartzite is off-white to light grey or mottled brown. It is
comprised of well-sorted surrounded to rounded quartz grains. It is thick-bedded,
cross-bedded and ripple-marked. The interbedded slates are grey and occur in thin
layers. The upper part of the formation is covered by alluvium .It has a gradational
contact with the underlying Taguwali formation .No fossils have yet been found .At
the type locality the formation is about 250 m thick
5

14. 2.2.4
Hadda Formation
The formation has been named after the Hadda canal rest house, 20 km from
Sargodha.
It is largely comprised of quartzites, slates conglomerates and lava flows. At the
type locality it is about 372 m thick .The quartzites are the dominant rock type .They
are rusty brown, fine-grained and at places cross-bedded. Slumping of beds is also
evident at some locations.
The upper part of the formation is dominated by conglomerates, interbedded with
lesser amounts of quartzites. The conglomerates contain flattened pebbles of quartzite
slate and lesser amount of limestone. The middle part is largely composed of light
grey to brownish grey fine grained, thin bedded quartzites. The lower part of the
formation is comprised of light grey quartzites which are highly ferruginous at places.
No fossils have been found .the formation is exposed in isolated hillocks without any
connection with older sequences. According to Alam et al (1992), it is conformably
overlain by the Sharaban formation
2.2.5
Sharaban Formation
Named after the type locality at Sharaban hill, about 18 km SE of Sargodha the
formation is characterized by a 120 m thick sequence of conglomerates with minor
lenses of fine-grained quartzite.
The conglomerate is thick bedded (5-10 m) and contains flattened and elongated
pebbles and cobbles (1-10cm) of quartzite and slate, apparently derived from the older
sequences in this region. The conglomerate also contains limestone pebbles that must
have come from distant source since there are no limestone outcrops in this region.
No fossils have been found in this formation .Its upper part is covered by
alluvium. According to Alam et al (1992) stratigraphically it overlies all the other four
formations.
6

15. Map: 2.1
Geological resource map of Kirana area
7

16. CHAPTER 3
DAY : 1
CHAK 100
QILLA HILLS
Latitude: 31 58’ 56” N
Longitude: 72° 13′ 18′′ E
Map: 3.1 Route Map from Sargodha to Chak 100 Qilla Hills
3.1
STATION: 1
The location was Qilla hills. Rugged, massive, medium grained Dolerite
(hypabasal igneous rock) was seen which was greenish in colour as shown in figure
3.1. It contained amphibole and plagioclase which was present at station 1. If the
outcrop is fresh then pyroxene will be present. Dolerite is equivalent to
volcanic basalt or plutonic gabbro, shearing phenomenon was observed. Greenish
looking igneous rock, Dolerite is due to feldspar, weathered into sericite. It would
have had foliation, schistosity if it was metamorphic rocks and if it was sedimentary
then it would have been layered.
8

17. Figure: 3.1
3.2
Light greenish coloured dolerite observed at station 1 Qilla hills.
STATION: 2
As we moved further to second station, we observed dark coloured dolerite,
containing amphibole and plagioclase. If it would have been fresh, if it had contained
amphibole and pyroxene. Convolution banding was also observed at station 2. Figures
3.2 shows the outcrop of station 2.
Figure: 3.2
Image of Dolerite with Quartzite
9

18. Quartzite had an intrusion of Rhyolite, and Quartz veins were also present in Dolerite.
Plagioclase cuts into amphibole. At station 2, Quartzite is intruded by a dolerite dike.
Dolerite Dike
Figure: 3.3
Dolerite dike intruding into quartzite
The dark and light color in quartzite show mineralogical variations. Mafic minerals
were greater in dolerite. Lithological variation was present. Quartzite has flint that
confirms that it is not rhyolite, and has very fine grained chert as shown in figure 3.4.
Figure: 3.4 Chert present in Quartzite
The dip and strike which was calculated was:
Strike: N70°W
Dip: 68°NE
1
0

19. CHAPTER 4
DAY :
2
SHARABAN AREA
Lattitude: 31° 57’ 07” N
Longitude: 72° 47’ 5” E
Map: 4.1 Route map from Sargodha to Chak 102 Sharaban area
4.1
STATION: 1
The outcrop here is also quartzite but it’s different from the one observed at chak
100. Shearing phenomenon was observed. Faults were present, intraformational
shearing in faults. Caving of formation was observed due to whirling of water effect
as occurs in physical weathering as shown in figure 4.1.
1
1

20. Figure: 4.1
Caving observed at Sharaban Area, station 1 due to whirling of water as
in physical weathering
Formation is sandstone metamorphosed to quartize. Slate was also identified,
conglomerates with slaty interclations shown in figure 4.2. Gradational contact was
observed. Quartz veins were also present in the formation as were observed
previously at chak 100 on day 1. Calcareous schist extention greenish due to
carbonates (may contain mudstone, siltstone). Indications of Breccia were also
reported in the formation.
Figure: 4.2
Conglomerates, grading into slaty structure, observed at sharaban area.
1
2

21. Layered sedimentry dike was also identified as shown in figure 4.3, which was
intruding into quartzite, having a total length of approx. 14 feet and varying width
with a maximum of 8.2 inches and a minimum of 4.0 inches
Figure: 4.3
Sedimentary dike intruding in Quartzite
Lens shaped Quartz veins were also observed at station 1. As shown in figure 4.4.
Figure: 4.4
Lens shaped Quartz veins
1
3

22. Dip and Strike of the area was:
Strike: N
80° E
Dip: 68° SE
4.2
STATION: 2
Convolution banding was observed in the formation at station 2 as shown in figure 4.5
Figure: 4.5
4.3
Encirled Area shows the convolution banding in the formation.
STATION: 3
Red veriety of quartz was found there, which is known as Jesper embedded in
quartzite was also identified as shown in figure 4.6. Dog toothspar (well developed
crystals of calcite) were also found at places.
Figure: 4.6
Jesper (Red variety of Quartz)
1
4

23. 4.4
STATION: 4
There was an adit (cave) as shown in figure 4.9, where the mining on iron ore
used to be done. Now it has been abandoned due to casualties caused by blasting as
the nearby area is a village. Iron bands in the quartzite formation are present, these
hematite veins were caused by hydrothermal activity.
Figure: 4.7
Opening of the cave where hematite is extracted
Figure: 4.8
Iron bands or veins in the quartzite formation can be seen clearly
1
5

24. CHAPTER: 5
DAY : 3
SHAHEENABAD
Lattitude: 31° 55’ 56” N
Longitude: 72° 13’ 18” E
Map: 5.1 Route map from Sargodha to Shaheen-abad
5.1
STATION: 1
Five unites have been observed.
Quartzite
Dolorite
Tuffacious slate
Basalt
Rhyolite
(And some metallic mineralization)
In igneous rocks, we use weathered surface for identification of rocks. The dark
visible surface is amphibole (granular texture) and the yellowish layer is rhyolite
(silica rich) that has intruded into quartzite. There was alot of shearing phenomena
1
6

25. observed at station 1 as shown in figure 5.1.
Figure: 5.1
Structure showing Rhyolite (Yellow) intruded between Quartzite.
Dip and Strike was measured to be:
Strike: N 60° W
Dip: 65° SW
5.2
STATION: 2
Strike: N35° W
Dip: 30° NE
Here we observed tuffaceous slate as shown in figure 5.2. Slate has platty structure,
breaks along planes. It can easily be identified on the field by its earthen smell.
1
7

26. Figure: 5.2
5.3
A figure showing Tuffaceous slate
STATION: 3
Large beds of basalt were observed as shown in figure 5.3 below. Basalt is a
volcanic rock with fine grained texture. Mafic minerals can be present in it, the dark
minerals are usually amphibole and pyroxene, sometimes plagioclase, feldspathoids,
or olivine. Slate, basalt and micaseous hematite was present.
Figure: 5.3
A picture of Basalt, there were calcite and quartz veins in it
Strike: N 45° W
Dip: 20° SW
1
8

27. 5.4
STATION: 4
This place is known as Hachi Boulders, belong to Kirana group. The age of
Kirana hills was determined from Buland hills IN 1973, these are of pre-cambrian age
and about 843 million years old. Formation here is quartzite all around.
Figure: 5.4
5.5
A picture showing Hachi boulders (Buland Hills)
STATION: 5
Typical Rhyolite intrusion was observed, at chak 108. Rhyolite is made of
viscous lava and is consolidated but here there were cracks in it due to high pressure.
This was a typical rhyolite dike that shows extrusion. The surface of this dike was
weathered and was pinkish at places that showed greater than 66% concentration of
potassium rich feldspar in rhyolite.The length of the dike was measured to be 110 feet.
The dike has sheared and alteration zones present in it and hence there were quartz
veins in it, and sharp contact at the bottom with slate which was because of the
conjugate joint and the mineralization of Quartz has occurred as shown in figures 5.5.
1
9

28. Figure: 5.5
A snapshot of Rhyolite dike
Figure: 5.6
Qaurtz veins can be seen clearly in this rhyolite dike (extrusion)
There is also a sharp contact between Rhyolite and slate that can be observed very
clearly as shown in figure 5.7.
Figure: 5.7
Image showing sharp contact of rhyolite with slate.
2
0

29. 5.6
STATION: 6
This was the last stop of the day Chak 109, the rock formation was
quartzite-dolorite mostly. The color was pale yellow due to ochry (limonite)
mineralization in the formation as shown in figures 5.8. The color was disturbed due
to the dust caused by the blasting of hachi boulders for crushing stones. Usually
hypabasal rocks from dikes.
Strike: N 40° W
Dip: 55° SW
Figure: 5.8
Quartzite and dolerite, pale yellow color can be observed.
2
1

30. CHAPTER: 6
Day 4
CHINIOT
Lattitude: 31° 43′ 30′′ N
Longitude: 72° 58′ 26′′ E
Map: 6.1 Route Map from Sargodha to Chiniot
6.1
STATION: 1
Strike: N 40° W
Dip: 85° NE
The outcrop is rhyolite with phenocrysts and feldspars. Hematite veins are
observed as shown in figure 6.1, which might be a result of hydrothermal alterations
as vein type mineralization cannot be achieved without a heat source and it is
magmatic. The yellow color is due to the limonite present. Mangenese is also present.
We also noticed Metallic luster with black streak. Micaceous hematite is present as
veins shown in figure 6.2. Dandritic pattern was also observed as we moved further
up the hill as shown in figure 6.3.
2
2

31. Figure: 6.1
An image of Hematite sample
Figure: 6.2
Another picture showing the grains of micaceous hematite in hand lens
Figure: 6.3
Dandritic pattern observed at Chiniot.
2
3

32. CONCLUSION
The Kirana hills are the outliers of shield rocks in the Punjab plains present in the
Kirana, Chiniot, Shahkot and Sangla areas. The rocks are of Precambrian age. The
area consists of two geomorphic features i-e scattered hills and flat alluvial plains.
The Precambrian outcrops are composed of metasedimentary and igneous rocks. The
metasedimentary rocks are represented by quartzites, slates and phyllites. The Kirana
area comprises of metasedimentary and igneous Precambrian rocks which have been
intruded by dykes and sills. An indication of mineralization in the form of quartz
veins is also present in the area but as yet no significant deposit has been reported.
2
4

33. REFERENCES
Ahmed, S.A, Mateen, A., Khan, Z.K.and Chaudhary,M.N.,2000.Geology and
geochemistry of Neoproterozoic Kirana Volcanics, Sargodha District,
Punjab ,Pakistan. Geol. Bull. Punjab Univ.
Alam, G.S (1987). Geology of Kirana Hills, District Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan.Geol.
Bull. Surv. Pak. Inf. Release 201,36p.
Davies, R.G. and Crawford, A.R., (1971). Petrography and age of the rocks of Buland
Hill, Kirana Hills, District Sargodha, West Pakistan.Geol.Mag.108, pp. 235-246.
Heron, A.M. (1913), The Kirana and other hills in the Jech and Rechna Doabs. Recs.
Geol. Surv. India 43, pp. 229-236.
pu.edu.pk/images/journal/geology/PDF-FILES/Vol_44_55-67.pdf
prr.hec.gov.pk/Thesis/2688H.pdf
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5