ERS-6A
Field Fi eld Report R eport of Kaghan Kagha n & Neelum Valley
Group Members:-
Aleena Ale ena Saeed (FA09-ERS( FA09-ERS-00 006) 6) Amanullah Amanull ah Khan (FA09-ER (FA 09-ERS-007 S-007)) Feroz Khan (FA09-ERS-01 (FA09-ERS-015) 5) Hammad Khan (FA09-ERS-016) Samreen Nada N ada (FA09-ERS-111) (FA09-ERS-111) Dates: Apri l 15-21 2012 Field Team: Sir Amjad Bukhari, Sir Tallataf,
Sir Azeem Shah and Ma’am Umbreen
Umber
Acknowledgemen Ackn owledgements ts
All the praises an thanks be to Allah, the Lord Lord of the Aalameen (mankind, jinn and all that exists) Who has bestowed us with His countless bounties, granted us inf inite ini te opportunities opportuniti es s as to benefit benef it from His creation, given man the authority authority to set a mark for himself himsel f in a world created created by Him Him sol ely el y for mankind and for giving man the ability to understand understand an differ between good and evil. And praise is to Muhammad (s.a.w.) whose teachings te achings have led us to the path of Al lah, for guiding guid ing us towards an ex panse panse of understanding from the shadowy forests of ignorance and jahilya. We present our heartfelt gratitude towards COMSATS Abbottabad for providing us a very creative, cooperative and unique studying environment. environment. Fi rstly we would l ike to thank Dr. Ishtiaq Jadoon for hi s sincere dedication towards teaching and permission for th e trip, Secondly our he artfelt gratitude to Sir Amjad Bukhar Bukharii for an outstanding outstanding sense of responsibili responsibili ty and management management of the entire fi eld trip. We owe him for this field, fiel d, which would not have been possible wi thout him for a man with such such a great caliber has given us the honor of l earning from him in a land full of treasures treasures of the geological geological world which we would not have been able to understand if he were not to accompany us. Our great appreciation and thanks to the entire faculty that was a part of the field team including Mr. Tallataf Hussain, Mr. Azeem Shah and Ms. Umber Umbreen for their never ending efforts on the field and for providing us with open opportunities to ask from them whenever we wished to regarding any ambiguities on the the fiel d.
Abstract The f ield trip was allocated to the northern northern parts parts of the KPK province with these localities at focus; Hazara (Mansehra particularly), Kaghan valley, Muzaffarabad and Neelum Valley. The study of rocks include d all three types i.e. i .e. igneous, sedimentar sedimentary y and metamorphic. me tamorphic. The span of geologi cal time cover covered ranged from Precambrian era to the Miocene age thereby envelop enve loping ing a variety variety of geol ogical ogical sequences. The tectonic of the areas is complex owing to the association with the Main Boundary Thrust and proximi ty to to the Indus Suture Zone. Al ong with this thi s many other faults as the Batal thrust, Bagh Balakot Balakot thrust thrust further added added to the complexity of the region. Of the various things observed at the fiel d, the most important include (a) the study of the Precambria n to Hazara Crystalline zone of slates, granites and quartzites, (b) The observation of features of The Kashmir Sequence ranging from Balakot to Kaghan ranging from Siluri an to Miocene, ( c)The active fault MBT- main boundary thrust, whose existen ex istence ce has imparted immense geological importance to this area as well as has posed threats of earthquakes and landslides for the inhabitants, (d) Study of the Yadgar section and the ex posed sedi mentary entary sequence of Cambrian and Paleocene to Eocene Eocene and Miocene and (e) The study of the Neel um section including the Jura granite granite and the Salkhala formation. formation. The field fiel d trip trip was a mean of study as well as enjoyment. The geology of the enti re region was w as a treat to us for we we re in search search of the the wonders which that land withheld - guidi ng us through through the realms of i ts formation formation and and deformation, deformation, unraveling unraveling the mysteries and tell ing i ts tale of milli ons of years in its own manner by portraying it on the canvas of sediments and rocks that withheld the very proof of every phenomenon that occurred.
Table of Contents Page number Chapter 1: The Hazara Crystalline Zone Hazara Slates Mansehra Granite & Tanawal Quartzite Figures for The T he Hazara Crystalline Crystalline Zone
Chapter 2: The Kashmir Sequence Murree Formation Paras Limestone Panjal Volcanics Chusshal Formation Jared Quartzites Figures for The Kashmir Sequence
Chapter 3: The Kaghan Group Mahandri Formation Kaghan Pelites Rajwal Formation Figures for the t he Kaghan Kaghan Group
Chapter 4: Yadgar Section & Hazara Kashmir Syntaxis Hazara Kashmir Syntaxis Yadgar Section Abbottabad Formation Hangu Formation Lockhart Formation Patala Formation Margalla Limestone Chor Gali Formation Kuldana Formation Figures for fo r Yadgar section& HKS Lithostratigraphic Lithostratigraphic Column of Yadgar Section Chapter 5: Neelum Section Jura Granite Salkhala Formation Figures for the Neelum Section References
1 2 2 3
4 5 5 5 6 6 7-9 10 11 12 12 13-14 15 16 16 16 17 17 17 17 17 17 18-20 21 22 23 23 24 25
Location: Hazara Haz ara (Mansehra) (Mansehra) Dates Dates covered: April April 15, 15, 2012 2012
Hazara Slate At Hashtinger Hashtinge r fish point as moving towards Mansehra Mansehra we observed The Hazara slates. The Hazara slates belong to the Precambrian Precambrian era of the geol ogical time scale. The dominant lithol l ithology ogy was slates sl ates with wi th clay minerals i n them. The color of the formation was was dull purple to i ndigo-i sh gray. gray. No fossil content content was observed. Fol iation of slates was observed (slaty cleavage), cleavage), an indicative indi cative of the metamorphism metamorphism of shale, exposed as sheets as well as crumbled flakes and the strata was incompetent. See fig 1.1 for the foliation i n Hazara Hazara slate.
Mansehra Manseh ra Granites & Tana Tanawal wal Quartzites In the Hazara Paleozoic sequence, the Tanawal formation overlies the Hazara slates and underlies the Abbottabad formation. It is unfossiliferous. We stopped at the place of Chitta Batta in Mansehra. The Mansehra Mansehra granites date back to the Cambrian peri od (le ss than 545 545 Mil Milli lion on years old). These formed formed as a resul t of the i ntrusion of granitic magma in the pre-ex pre -existing isting Tanawal Tanawal Quartzite formation formation (see fig 1.2 & 1.3). 1.3). The i ntruding magma magma cooled and crystallized le ading to the formation of coarse gray to blackish white granites. granites. Granites form a part of continental continental l ithosphere. Thus, this intrusion intrusion is a proof proof of pre Himalayan orogeny. The major composition composition of Mansehra ansehra granite is muscovite, muscovite, Biotite, Alkali feldspar, plagioclase fel dspar and quartz. The The granite also al so consisted of phenocryts majorly of Quartz (see f ig 1.4). 1.4). Vei ns of Albite were also formed in the granites (see fig 1.5), crystallized coarsely. Apart from this, xenoliths of the surrounding surrounding quartzite quartzite were also observed in the granites granites (see fig 1.6).
Figure 2.2 Contact between the Mansehra Granite and Tanawal Quartzite Quartzite
Figure 2.1 Hazara slates showing the slaty cleavage
Figure 2.3 Phenocrysts of Quartz in Mansehra Granite
Figure 2.5 Xenoliths of Quartzite in Mansehra Granite
Figure 1.4 Albite Vein in Mansehra Granite
Balakot to Kaghan April 15 2012
Kashmir Sequen Sequence: ce: The sequence of formations extending between Paras and Jared in the Kaghan Valley is referred to as the Kashmir Kashmir Sequence. It has developed south of the Kaghan Valley, i s absent in surrounding surrounding areas as Muzaffarabad and Hazara because of its turning around the Hazara Hazara Kashmir Kashmi r syntaxis. The rocks e exposed xposed range from Carboniferous to Eocene and are inverted i.e become older towards the north.
Murree Formation: The Murree Murree formation which occurs at Paras and f urther downstream forms monotonous monotonous and extensive sequence in core of Hazara Hazara Kashmir Syntaxis. It mainl y consists of maroon shale s, siltstones sil tstones and coarse Murree formation formation grained, light greyish green sandstones with vei ns of both quartz and calcite. Age of Murree is Miocene.
Field Observation: At the road side of Balakot city we observed observed Maroo Maroon n and light green shale s a general vie w of which has been shown in the fig 2.1. The area was highly disturbed due to passing of MBT from the areaparticularly the Bagh Balakot Balakot Fault. Due to Bagh Balakot Bal akot Thrust, Thrust, The Abbottabad formation has thrusted against the Murree formation at the roadside, see fig 2.2. The Abbottabad formation is a dolomitic limestone with filling of calcite in the joints. Acid test was negative negative on the dolomitic l imestone. The age of Abbottabad formation is Cambrian. At Paras, The Murree Murree formation offered three major varying colors in i ts shales; maroon, grey and ol ive greens, see fig fi g 2.3. 2.3. It consisted of reworked reworked fossils among the sandstone beds of grey to dark grey color as shown in fig 2.4 al ong with veins of quartz, calcite calcite and gypsum in the shal es and sandstones shown i n fig 2.5.
Paras Limestone: Paras limestone formation formation occurs occurs at the road road side in the form of bands. I t mainly consists of Limestone Li mestone (marls) and also some Shale. The horizon has been dated Eocene in the Kashmir Sequence.
Field Observations: Dominant lithology if the Paras formation is Limestone with fossils of Nummulites. Limestone was confirmed by positive acid test with effe rvescence rvescence.. Color changes we re also observed obse rved in the limestone l imestone while walking along the road; see fig 2.6 as well as fracturing and and calcitic veins. The The presence of shale was observed.
Panjal Formation (Panjal Volcanics): The Panjal formation in Kaghan valley consists of three bands at least several thousand feet thick. These bands alternate alternate with three thick bands of low grade marble/li marble/li mestone. The Panjal Volcanics extend westwards from Muzaffarabad to Kaghan. These are a subdivision of the Panjal formation whose other major division is the agglomeratic slates. slates. The rocks rocks of Panjal volcanics are well wel l exposed exp osed along along the roadside in Kaghan. The volcanics comprise comprise dark grey to dark dark green gree n and greeni greenish sh colored, fine grained, grained, hard, hard, massive but distinctly well bedded lava flows. Vesi cles are common common with Epidote, Chlorite, cherty material and calcite. Quartz veins are also present. Crossing Crossi ng the river Kunhar,
another band of Panjal volcanics with simil ar characteristics characteristics is interbedded i nterbedded wi th limestone, li mestone, having havi ng the same characteristics has been exposed along the roadside. The volcanics are are basalts which have suff ered low grade metamorphism (greenschist (greenschi st facies) and show development of chlorite. They can be di stinguished by green color. The marble/li marble/li mestone is fine to medium grained generally thinly bedded and light grey. In Kaghan Panjal formation is 15 to 60 meter thick, white compact, well bedded unfossiliferous limestone. Age of Panjal Volcanics is Upper Carboniferous.
Field Observations: The rocks of P anjal Vol canics were exposed exposed along the road side. Dark grey to dark green colored and fine fine grained beds of lava flows were present. Greenschist Greenschist facies and chlorite mica schist schist were observed (see fig 2.7) and the color of the schist appeared green because of the presence of chlorite, developed as a result of the metamorphism of basalts. Micro faulting (fig 2.8) and schistocity were observed in the samples samples collected. Thin inter bedded bands of limestone were also observed. The Panjal Metabasalts Metabasalts also exposed expose d along the road have been shown in the fi g 2.9 2.9 with wi th the presence of greenschists and greenstones due to the metamorphism of basalts.
Chusshal Formation: This unit represented by a sequence of graphitic schist, metaconglomerates, occasional thinly bedded marble bands, calc-schist and a few quartzo-fe ldspathic ldspathic mylonites zones. It represents represents the agglomeratic slate unit of Kashmir. Kashmir. The age of Chusshal formation is Carboniferous.
Field Observations: While observing the out crop in Kaghan we found graphitic schist.
Jared Quartzite: The rocks rocks in i n Jared on the road side are thinl y interbedded sequence of quartzite and quartz mica schist. There is a marked absence of calc and graphitic material. Towards contact with Chusshal graphitic schist, schist, the unit contains thin pegmatite veins with q uartz, feldspar, feldsp ar, muscovite and tourmaline. The contact of the Jared unit with Mahandri formation is faulted throughout the area. Age of Jared formation is Precambrian.
Field Observation: The sequence is thinly bedded. Interbedded quartzite and quartz mica schist were found. Quartzite is formed due to the metamorphism of Sandstone and schist forms due to the metamorphism of shale which may have have been previously interbedded. See f igure 2.10 2.10
Figure 2.1 General view of the Murree Formation at Balakot
Figure Fig ure 2.2 Abbottab Abbottabad ad formation thrusted against agai nst the Bagh Balakot Fault in front of Murree Murree formation formation Fig ure 2.2 Abbottabad Abbottabad Formation F ormation thrusted against Murree Murree formation along the Bagh B alakot alak ot Fault
Figure 2.3 Murree formation in Paras with its varying colors
Figure 2.4 Reworked fossils in Sandstone of Murree formation
Figure 2.5 Veins of gypsum in Murree formation
Figure 2.6 Paras Limestone exposed along the roadside
Fig ure 2.7 Mica chlorite schist in Panjal Volcanics
Fig ure 2.8 Microfaulting in Panjal Volcanics- schist
Figure 2.9 A general view of the formation
Figure 2.10 Jared Quartzite and quartz mica schist
Location: Muzaffara Muzaf farabad bad Dates Dates covered: April April 17, 17, 2012 2012
Hazara Kashmir Syntaxis In the northeastern corner o Pakistan, betwe en Mirpur and Muzaffarabad Muzaffarabad and far ther to the north and Northeast, the geological structures of the Himalayas make an abrupt HAIRPIN BEND as if “they were bent round a pivotal point of obstructing them” (Wadia 1931). 1931).
The Haza Hazara ra Kashmir Syntaxis (HKS) is a complex complex tectonic zone. It is diff icult icult to define an outer l imit for i t although a stack of thrust faults form a loop around its axis. In its vicinity, Precambrian to Neogene sedimentary, metamorphic rocks and Cambrian or earlier granitic rocks are exposed. The axial zone of the syntaxis has a NNW orientation & is largely covered by Murree formation (Oligocene to Miocene- reddish brown shales). Near Muzaffarabad, Precambrian to Cambrian and Paleocene sedimentary rocks rocks are exposed in an anticline which is cross folded, overturned overturned and thrust southwestward along the Muzaffarabad Fault. The major Thrust fault along whi ch the syntaxis has formed is the Main Boundary Boundary Thrust (MBT). (MBT). Along Al ong with this, a hairpin shaped system of faults faul ts truncates truncates the Murree Murree formation on the e ast, north and west. we st. West and and north of this fault zone, withi n a distance of 1-5km, there i s a parallel paralle l thrust f ault along which the Precambrian sequence has been pushed over the Paleozoic and Mesozoic rocks. These two faults are named as Murree Murree thrust and Panjal thrust by Wadia (1931), (1931), see fig fi g 4.1
Yadgar Yad gar Section S ection The Yadgar section lies in the apex of the eastern limb of Hazara Kashmir Syntaxis (see fig 4.1), comprising mostly of sedimentary sedimentary rocks rocks that range range in i n age from f rom Cambrian to Miocene. The Stratig raphic sequence of the Yadgar section has been presented in the table below with the Lithostratigraphic column at the end of the chapter. Age
Formation
Middle iddl e Eocene Kuldana formation Early Eocene Chor Gali Formation Early Eocene Margalla Formation Late Paleocene Paleocen e Patala Formation Late Paleocene Paleocen e Lockhart Lockhart Formation Early Paleocene Paleocen e Hangu Formation -----------------------------------------------------------Unconformity----------------------------------------------------------Cambrian Abbottabad Formation Table 4.1 Stratigraphic Succession of Yadgar section
Abbottabad Abbottaba d Formati Formation on The Abbottabad formation belongs to the Cambrian age and is comprised of Dolomite, Dolomitic limestone li mestone with the characteristic characteristic feature stromatolites. stromatolites. Sole marks marks were observed within the f ormation (fig 4.2) 4.2) along wi th intraclasts intraclasts of l imestone and stromatolites stromatolites (fi g 4.3). 4.3). The Abbottabad formation has thrusted along the MBT and exposed here, its upper contact with the Hangu Hangu formation formation is unconformable unconformable whi le the lower is faulted. It l ies in the core of the HKS.
Hangu Formation The Hangu formation belongs bel ongs to Early Early Pale ocene and comprised of Bauxi Bauxite te (fig (f ig 4.4), 4.4), laterite lateri te and coal seams deposited deposite d in the Yadgar Yadgar section. The total thickness of this formation is 25.9m.
Lockhart Formation The Lockhart formation overlies the Hangu formation (Paleocene age) and is majorly composed of limestone that is both nodular and fossiliferous, see fig 4.5. There are partings of shale present in between thin beds of limestone of dark grey color as well as subordinate calcic calcic shales present. The microfossils in the Lockhart formation include; lockhartia, Ranikothalia and Miscellanea. The total thickness of Lockhart Lockhart measured was 111.63m 111.63m
Patala Shale The Patala formation in the Yadgar section was eroded because of the construction n bulldozing activities; however a patch of 1.3-2m was traced with a dominant lithology of shales.
Margalla Limestone The Marga Margalla lla formation formation bel ongs to the Eocene Eocene age with its indicative features features being the li ght grey grey colored li mestone (dominant (dominant lithology), presence of Nummulites Nummulites (indicatives (indicatives of Eocene) Eocene) and medi um to thick bedding, see fig 4.6 .The thickness measured was 36m.
Chor Gali Formation The Chor Gali formation lies over the Margalla formation and comprises of a major Limestone with subordinate shale. No nodules are present. present. The The total thickness me asured at the f iel d was about 67.1m, 67.1m, see fi g 4.7. 4.7.
Kuldana Formation The Kuldana formation (Eocene) offered a variety of shales; olive green, maroon, maroon, reddish brown and purple see fig fi g 4.8. 4.8. Along wi th the major shales, subordinates subordinates limestone was present present as patches patches (almost a meter thick) showing bioterbation, see fig 4.9. The fossil content of Kuldana includes Assilines andNummulites.
Figure 4.1 Map showing showing the Hazara Kashmir syntaxis with associated faults faults
Figure Fig ure 4.2 Sole marks in the Abbo Abbottabad ttabad Formation
Figure Fig ure 4.3 Intraclasts of Limestone
Figure 4.4 Hangu Formation - Bauxite and Laterite
Figure 4.5 Nodular limestone of Lockhart Formation
Figure 4.6 Nodular limestone of Margalla formation
Fig ure 4.7 Cho Chorr Gali formation
Fig ure 4.8 Shales of various colors in Kuldana formation
Figure 4.9 Bioterbation in the limestone of Kuldana formation
Locality: Neelum Valley Dates Dat es Covered: April April 18, 2012 2012
Jura / Neelum Granite Granite Field Observations Age: Late Pre-Cambrian
Jura/Neel um granite is un-xenolithic and finel y crystalline crystalline granitic formation that had been upl ifted ifte d due to pressure release factor. Its un-xenolithic nature shows absence of country rock in which it was intruded. Minerals found are grey transparent quartz, milky feldspar, creamy muscovite and blackish biotite. Developing Devel oping a contrast between the Jura Granite and the Mansehra Mansehra Granite: Granite: Jura Granite Mansehra Granite Finely Fine ly Crystalline Crystalline Granite, Granite, no phenocrysts present. Coarsely crystalli crystalli ne, phenocrysts phenocrysts of quartz present. present. Biotite is present in visible amount amountss as as black black flakes. Biotite is absent; absent; albite is vi sibly present as veins. No xenoliths present. Xenoliths of the Tanawa Tanawall Quartzite Quartzite are present.
Salkhala Formation The oldest known rocks in Neelum Valley are the metamorphic rocks of Salkhala Formation of PreCambrian age. These rocks were originally named “Salkhala Series” by Wadia after Salkhala vi llage on
the Kishanganga river. The formation consists largely of quartz schist, graphite schist, and marble. Quartz schist that makes up large proportion of the formation is mainly fi ne grained mica chlorite quartz schist. Chlorite and muscovite make up 20-40 percent of the schist and the remainder remai nder is quartz. Minor amount of garnet, magnetite and biotite are present in places. The Salkhala formation is further composed of three major units :Augen gnei sses sses Garnet-schist Garnet-schist with w ith talc, Quartz-mica-schist Granite
Field Observations: The very first unit of the Salkhala Salkhal a formation that that we observed was the Quartz-mica-s Quartz-mi ca-schist. chist. We observed shining shini ng mica flakes fl akes within the schist along with grey transparent quartz minerals. Following Foll owing thi s was an andesiti c intrusion in to the schist with fl ow structures on its weathered surface, as shown the figure 5. 2. Talc was also found at some portions with the quartz-mica-schist that has been possibly formed as a weathering product, see fig 5.3.
Moving farther north, the second se cond unit of the Salkhala formation were ex posed posed i.e. the garnet -schist. -schist. The appearance of garnet minerals in schist shows a high grade of metamorphism. The garnets were of visible size in a reddish-brown appearance appearance found f ound along the shinning mica flakes within the schist, as shown in fi g 5.4. 5.4.
Figure 5.1 Jura Granite
Figure 5.3 Talc in the quartz-mica-schist quartz-mica-schist of S alkhala formation
Figure 5.2 Andesitic intrusion in the Salkhala formation
Figure 5.4 Garnet-schist with garnets developed along the foliation in Salkhala formation
