Field Report: Hazara-Kashmir Syntaxis

Submitted By: Ahmer Iqbal

Class: BS-Geology

Submitted To: Sir Aqeel

Acknowledgement

Special Thanks to Dr. Zafar, Sir Aqeel and Sir Saqib for arranging this

educational trip for us to be able to understanding the geology of the Hazara

Kashmir area with their expert opinions. Specially thanks to Mr. Shahab of

Azad Jammu Kashmir University for guiding us and helping us to understand

the Geology and stratigraphy and the Tectonic of the assigned area.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1

Physiography of Azad Kashmir 1

Physiography of Hazara 3

CHAPTER 2

General Geology of Hazara-Kashmir Syntaxis 5

Tectonics 6

Stratigraphic of Hazara-Kashmir Syntaxis 9

CHAPTER 3

Field Observation 11

DAY-1 13

DAY-2 17

DAY-3 24

DAY-4 26

REFERENCES 34

GLOSSARY 35

Introduction:

The Purpose for this field trip was to study and to cover the Lithology,

sedimentary structures, rock types, contacts and structural feature of these areas.

Another Main objective of our field trip was to enhance our General knowledge

about Geology and Stratigraphy especially to concentrate on Hazara Kashmir

Syntaxis and to study the structures, Lithology, depositional environments and

rock types.

The areas were easily accessible and we went there through university

bus. The journey was pleasant and smooth. The field which we visited was

Accessible and was mostly along the road side.

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CHAPTER 1

1.1 Physiography of Azad Kashmir

1.1.1 Geography & Climate

Azad Jammu and Kashmir lies between longitude of 730 - 750 and latitude of 33o - 36o and

comprises an area of 5134 Square Miles (13297 Square Kilometers).It is the southernmost

political entity within the Pakistani-administered part of the former princely state of Jammu

and Kashmir.  With its capital at Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir covers an area of 13,297

square kilometers (5,134 sq mi). Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan both constitute an area

known as Pakistan-administered Kashmir which is referred to in India as Pakistan-occupied

Kashmir.The northern part of Azad Jammu and Kashmir encompasses the lower area of

the Himalayas, including Jamgarh Peak (15,531 feet [4,734 meters]). However, Hari

Parbat peak in Neelum Valley is the highest peak in the state. Fertile, green, mountainous

valleys are characteristic of Azad Kashmir's geography, making it one of the most beautiful

regions of the subcontinent.  The elevation from sea level ranges from 360 meters in the

south to 6325 meters in the north. The snow line in winter is around 1200 meters above sea

level while in summer, it rises to 3300 meters.

 The climate is sub-tropical highland type with and humid region in the access of

monsoon .Due to difference of variations in altitude there is small scale difference of

humidity and rainfall. In summer the temperature may rise to 45 C but in winter the

maximum temperature drops to 3 C. The region receives rainfall in both the winter and the

summer. Muzaffarabad and Pattan are among the wettest areas of Pakistan. Throughout most

of the region, the average rainfall exceeds 1400 mm, with the highest average rainfall

occurring near Muzaffarabad (around 1800 mm). During the summer season, monsoon floods

of the rivers Jhelum and Leepa are common due to extreme rains and snow melting.

1.1.2 Population

According to the 1998 population census the state of Azad Jammu & Kashmir had a

population of 2.973 million, which is estimated to be grown to 3.5 million in 2006. Almost

100% population is comprised of Muslims. The Rural: urban population ratio is 88:12. The

population density is 270 persons per Sq. Km. The literacy rate which was 55% in 1998

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census has now risen above 60%. Approximately the infant mortality rate is 56 per 1000 live

births, whereas the immunization rate for the children under 5 years of age is more than 95%.

1.1.3 Language and people

The area is mostly populated by the Híndko people, who speak the Hindko language as their

mother tongue, and by those who speak Pashto. Pashto is spoken in Batagram and

Toorghar district, 70% of the population of Mansehra speaks Hindko while most of the

remaining speak Pashto. Kohistaniare spoken in Kohistan. In all the hilly areas of

Abbottabad and Haripur districts most people speak Hinkdo, but Gujjar tribes

speaks Gojri and Abbasi tribe speaks Pothohari. In all, according to the 2001 Census of

Pakistan, Hazara has an ethno-linguistic majority of Hindko-speakers of around 87%

whereas about 13% speak Pashto and other languages.

1.1.4 Soil Condition

The soil Condition varies along the area like Kohala is about 35km from muzaffrabad. The

soils are mainly composed of red clays, silts, sand, gravel, pebble, cobble and boulder, of

murre formation. The maximum value of limit was found to be 26.6% whereas the minimum

value is 22.6% and the average value is 24.8%. The increase of water content is more at

landslide area 2km from kohala and decreased toward murre due to decrease in clayey

material. The moisture content in the soil is more than 40% as the slope angle increases from

10 degree to 75 degree. The plastic limit of soil decrease with decrease in clayey content. The

soil shrinks and swells as well causing landslide because the soil absorb moisture due to poor

drainage.

1.1.5 Road Condition

The road network which connect Islamabad with Azad Kashmir are

i. Muzaffarabad-Kohala (34 km), Murree-Islamabad highway (53 km) and

ii. Muzaffarabad-Grahi Habibullah-Mansehra (57 km), Abbottabad-

IslamabadHighway (112 km).

The Road condition from Islamabad to Muzaffrabad along Murree Highway was fair but

from Kohala- Muzaffarabad the road condition was poor. The road was not completely

developed.

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1.1.6 Accessibility to Area

The accessibility to area were ease mostly the field study were done along the road side.

1.2 Physiography of Hazara

1.2.1 Geography & Climate

Hazara is bounded on the north and east by the Northern Areas and Azad Kashmir. To the

south are the Islamabad Capital Territory and the province of Punjab, whilst to the west lies

the rest of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The river Indus runs through the division in a north-south

line, forming much of the western border of the division. The total area of Hazara is

18,013 km². Hazara lies close to the crossroads formed by the river Indus and the Grand Trunk

Road. The Karakoram Highway begins at the town of Havelian and goes north through the

division towards China via the Northern Areas. Hazara lies at elevation of 4100 from mean

seal level.

Hazara lies along south of the main Himalaya Range, and is exposed to moist winds from

the Arabian Sea, Hazara is the wettest part of Pakistan. At Abbottabad, annual rainfall

averages around 1,200 millimeters (47 in) but has been as high as 1,800 millimeters (71 in) ,

whilst in parts of Mansehra District such as Balakot the mean annual rainfall is as high as

1,750 millimeters (69 in) . Due to its location on the boundary between the monsoonal

summer rainfall regime of East Asia and the winter-dominant Mediterranean climate of West

Asia, Hazara has an unusual bimodal rainfall regime, with one peak in February or March

associated with frontal southwest cloud bands and another monsoonal peak in July and

August. The driest months are October to December, though in the wettest parts even these

months average around 40 millimeters (1.6 in) .Due to the high altitude, temperatures in

Hazara are cooler than on the plains, though Abbottabad at 1,200 meters (3,900 ft) still has

maxima around 32°C (90°F) with high humidity in June and July. Further up, temperatures

are cooler, often cooler than the Northern Areas valleys due to the cloudiness. In winter,

temperatures are cold, with minima in January around 0°C (32°F) and much lower in the high

mountains. Snowfalls are not uncommon even at lower levels.

1.2.2 Populations

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The population of the Hazara region was estimated to be over 4.5 million in 2005. The total

area of Hazara is 18013 km². With population of Abbottabad nearly million and Manshera

1.4 million.

1.2.3 Soil Condition

The soil mostly absorbs the moisture which causes landslide which indicates the presence of

high quantity of clayey contents. The soil get swell and shrinks as well

1.2.4 Road Condition

The road Condition from AJK to Hazara were fine, the road were developed. The condition

were quite ease for travelling.

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CHAPTER 2

2.1 General Geology of Hazara-Kashmir Syntaxis

2.1.1 Types of rocks

Most of the rocks expose are Sedimentary rocks with some minor Metamorphic and igneous

rocks and dikes. The formation exposed in the area mostly comprised of sedimentary rocks

which ranges from Cambrian to Miocene. The division of rocks is as follow.

2.1.1.1 Sedimentary rocks

The sedimentary rocks are present in the following formations

Abbottabad Formation: is of Cambrian age and consists rocks of fine grained

dolomite & cherty dolomite.

Margalla Hill Limestone : is of Eocene age and consist Fine to coarse, dark grey,

thin to thick bedded Limestone with subordinate shale

Murree Formation: is of Miocene and consist of Purple red greenish grey sandstone.

Siltstone, Mudstone and some conglomerate.

Lockhart Formation: is light grey, pale grey to khaki grey, bluish grey and blackish

grey on weathered surface and dark grey on fresh surface.

Patala Formation: The formation is composed of shale and occasional limestone of

upper Paleocene to lower Eocene age.

The Chorgali Formation: It is mainly composed of medium grey shale and silty

shale, light grey to dark grey foraminifer’s mudstone to pack stone, dolomitic

limestone and dolomite.

The Kuldana Formation: is of Middle Eocene and composed of greenish to

maroonish colored shale’s with occasional limestone.

Alluvium Deposits: River deposit, gravel sand, silts and clayey material.

2.1.1.2 Metamorphic rocks

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Hazara Formation: Fine Grain, dark grey, thin to thick bedded, highly fractured and

sheared slates.

Tanol Formation: is of upper Cambrian age consist Metapelitic Schist’s, Phyllite

2.1.1.3 Igneous rocks

Salakhala Formation: Manshera granite (light color acidic) with xenoliths of

Cambrian Age.

Panjal Volcanics : Volcanic rock basaltic knows as Green stones and Marble of

upper carboniferous.

Tanol Fornation : A dike intrusion know as quartzite.

2.1.2 Structure

The overall structure of the area forms anticline and syncline. The main structure in

Muzaffarabad area is asymmetrical anticline in the east of Muzaffarabad proper, the trend of

the anticline is NW-SE. The asymmetrical anticline is thrusted over the older slate series to

the west and south west. The thrusted junction is seen in the nelum valley.Folding in the

Hazara slate and faulting has also affected the rocks in the area.

2.2 Tectonics

2.2.1 Formation of Hazara-Kashmir Syntaxis

The Himalayan mountain belts have developed as a result of collisions between various

continental and micro continental plates of Gondwana and Euresia. Early separated plates of

Gondwana (Cimmeria) separated during the Permo-Triassic times and collided with Euresia

in the Mid-Mesozoic in association with the closing of the Paleotethys Sea. Between the Late

Cretaceous and Mid-Eocene, the IndoPakistani Plate collided with Cimmeride Blocks and the

Neotethys ocean was closed initiating the formation of current system of Himalayan folded

Belts. The complete closer of the Neotethys Ocean occurred in the Middle Eocene, followed

by initiation of the main phase of thrusting and folding in the northwest Himalayas. The

Kashmir Himalayas including the Panjal Block, Karakuram Range, Harmosh Range as well

as the Nangaparbat Dome are all essentially closely related units.

During the lower Cretaceous period the Tethys was well in place with India on one shore and

Asia on the other. At least part of the Pir Panjal Range was not submerged. It formed part of

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the Indian mass. Transgression of the sea took place in Paleocene and during Paleocene to

Middle Eocene sea conditions persisted. However, sedimentation took place under unstable

shelf basin conditions. The collision resulted in cyclic up and down movements resulting in

the deposition of a sequence of limestones and shales. During part of Paleocene fairly

shallow water restricted sea conditions developed where by coal and ironstones were formed

followed again by the local deepening and deposition of limestones, shales and sandstones of

Lockhart Limestone, Patala Formation, Margala Hill Limestone, Chor Gali Formation,

Kuldana Formation and Murrree Formation. The Indian plate started under thrusting the

Asian plate in Early Miocene. Structurally the area is characterized by severe tectonic

effects. It is highly folded, faulted and jointed. This is because the area lies close to one of the

major syntaxial bend of the Himalayas know as Hazara Kashmir Syntaxis.

The Hazara Kashmir Syntaxis is one of the most important structural features of the region

and displays prominent scar on the geological map (Fig. 2). The southern range of the

Himalaya extend northward in a gentle unbroken curve of northern India, continue into

Kashmir and Hazara District of Pakistan, where they from the eastern limb of the Syntaxis.

The two main boundary faults wrap around the Syntaxis are considered equivalent to Punjal

and Murree Faults. Stratigraphically the syntaxis contain the youngest rocks in the core and

successively older rocks wrap around the periphery.

Hazara Kashmir Syntax has three parts

1. Hazara Segment :It is present in Ghari Habibbulah, Abbottabad, Kohala, Nathiagali area.

In this area Basement rock is Hazara Formation which is composed of Slates.

2. Kaghan Segment: It is present in Ghari Habibullah, Sharda, Babusar Top. In this area

Basement rock in NE is Salkhalah formation or Shardah group and in NW Tanawal

Formation.

3. Kashmir Segment: It extends from east of Ghari Habibullah to Kotli area. In this area

basement rock is Abbottabad Formation.

2.2.3Major Faults

2.2.2.1 Main Boundary Thrust (MBT)

A hairpin shaped system of fault truncate the murree formation on the east north and west. It

abuts the Mesozoic and earlier rocks against the murree formation. West and north of this

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fault zone, within the short distance of few 5 km, there is a parallel thrust fault along which

Precambrian sequence has been pushed over the Paleozoic and Mesozoic rocks. These two

faults were name as Murree and panjal thrust. Some worker called murree fault on both limbs

of syntaxis as the Main Boundary Thrust. Vertical stratigraphic displacement is 3300 km.

2.2.2.2 Balakot-Bagh Fault (BBT)

The Balakot-Bagh thrust running from Balakot through Muzaffarabad to Bagh Azad Kashmir

along the eastern limb of Hazara Kashmir Syntaxis. Stratigraphically this fault occurred

between the late Cambrian Abbottabad Formation and the Miocene Murree Formation from

Balakot to Muzaffarabad city which is a major unconformity, while from Muzaffarabad city

to Bagh through Chikar it runs within the Murree Formation.The BBT is a shallow thrust

which enters upto the depth of Middle Eocene Kuldana Formation. Along the BBT, the

Murree Formation thrusting over Siwalik Group due to under lying shales of the Kuldana

Formation which act as a de collement. The two unconformities have been observed during

this study. First major unconformity is marked between the late Cambrian Abbottabad

Formation and the Paleocene Hangu Formation and the second minor one occur between the

middle Eocene Kuldana Formation and the Miocene Murree Formation.

2.2.2.3 Jehlum Fault (JF)

The fault alonge the western margin of the axial zone of the syntaxis is Jehlum Fault. It is a

Left lateral strike-slip fault and reported that alonge this fault Murree, Abbottabad and Hazara

Formation are highly deformed between that alonge this fault Murree, Abbottabad and

Hazara Formations are highly deformed between balakot and muzaffarad. The Jhelum fault

apparently dislocates the MBT and terminates the westward continues of some of the

structure of NW Himalayan fold-and-thrust belt which shows that it is the youngest major

tectonic feature in the syntaxial zone.

2.2.2.3 Panjal Thrust

The panjal thrust runs alonge the MBT on the eastern limb of the syntaxis. The two faults

curved around the apex of the syntaxis then bend southward. The two faults join about 5km

north of balakot. A separate left lateral strike-slip fault truncates the panjal thrust and MBT

north of Balakot.

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2.2.2 Tectonic Sub-division

The Hazara Kashmir syntaxis area is divided into three main elements: the Sub Himalaya, the

Lesser Himalaya and the Higher Himalaya.

MAIN DIVISION HAZARA-KASHMIR SYNTAXIS &

UPPER KAGHAN VALLEY

HIGHER HIMALAYA

Crystalline unit : Cover of Permian and Mesozoic with panjal affinities Pre Cambrian basement of detritic lower to middle Paleozoic, Lower Paleozoic granite.(Manshera type)

LESSER HIMALAYA

Panjal Unit : Panjal Imbricate zone of Triassic/Jurassic – Limestone and dolomite of Permian – Panjal Volcanic of Upper Carboniferous - tilloids

SUB HIMALAYA

Murre Unit: Late Paleocene to Middle Eocene Murre Fm.- Upper Precambrian to lower Cambrian Abbottabad Group.

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2.3 Stratigraphic of Hazara-Kashmir Syntaxis

Formation Age

Alluvium

Siwalik Group

Murree Formation

Kuldana Formation

Chor Gali Formation

Margala Hill Limeston

Patala Formation

Lockhart Limestone

Hangu Formation

Abbottabad Formation

Hazara Formation

Recent to sub-Recent

Pliocene to Pleistocene

Oligocene to lower Miocene

Middle Eocene

Lower Eocene

Lower Eocene

Upper Paleocene

Lower Paleocene

Lower Paleocene

Cambrian

Precambrian

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CHAPTER 3

Field Observation

Station Name Formation/Structure Lithology

DAY - 1

Murre Highway Murree Formation Argillaceous Sandstone, Claystone, Shales

Kohala Murree Formation/Landslide Argillaceous Sandstone Material

Upper Chattar Kashmir Hazara Syntax Dolomite, sandstone shale etc.

Ambore Tunnel Tunnel Boulder and Cobble

DAY - 2

AJK university new campus Murree Formation Siltstone, SandstoneIntraformational Conglomerate

Argillaceous Shale’sChalla Bandi Murree Formation

Abbottabad Formation /Balakot Bagh Fault (BBT),

Jhelum Fault/ Degraded Scarp

Sandstones, ShalesDolomites

Yadgaar Hangu FormationPatala Formation

Lockhart LimestoneKuldana FormationMurree Formation

Abbottabad FormationChorgali Formation

Laterite DepositsShales with Limestone Bands

Nodular LimestoneGypsiferous ClaysSandstones, Shales

Dolomites, Cherty DolomitesBlack stone

Noseri Punjal VolcanicsMurree Formation

MarbleSandstones, Shales

Green Stone

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DAY - 3

Ambore Murree andHazara Formation/Jhelum

Fault

Sandstone, ShaleDolomite, Claystone,slates

Rara Murree FormationHazara Formation/Local fault

Sandstone, ShaleDolomite

Subhri Boulder /Lake Stones

DAY - 4

Lohar Gali Hazara Formation / Meandering River,

Alluvial Fan

Slates

Barar kot Abbottabad Formation :Sanghar Gali Member

Mohammada Gali MemberMirpur Member /Garhi Habib Ullah

SandstoneCherty Dolomite

Sandstones, ShalesChitta Batta Mansehra Granet /

Chitta Batta DikeGranet :

Quartz, Feldspar, Muscovite, Biotite, Black Tormaline,

PyriteDike : Quartzite

Ashoka Park Tanol Formation Stauralite Garnet Mica SchistBiotite, Muscovite

Salhad Samana Suk FormationHazira Formation /

Fault between Hazira Formation & Samana Suk

Formation

Oolitic LimestoneSandstone, Siltstone

Khota Kabar Hazara Formation(Tanakki Boulder Beds) /

Angular Relationship between Boulder Beds & Slates

Boulder Beds, Slates

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DAY-1

Stop-1: Murre Highway

Formation & Lithology: Murre Formation having Sandstone which are of two types

Argillaceous : In Red Colour, Clay Content More

Arrinaceous : In grey Colour, Clay Content Less

Age: Miocene, Oligoncene

Observed: Mostly sandstone and shale which is Argillaceous (RED) in color. Seen of

Lamina and beds in formation.

Photo 1: Argillaceous sandstone of Murre Formation near Barakoh

Also observation of prevention of landslides by using Gabbens, weep holes, Pinching Stones, Benching or Terracing.

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Photo 2: Draining along murre highway

Stop-2: Kohala

Formation & Lithology: Murre Formation with Argillaceous Sandstone abundant Clay

Content, Expansive Soils.

Age: Miocene, Oligocene

Observed: The presence of Argillaceous Sandstone in Kohala is the reason for Active

Landslide Area. Another reason is the presence of Steep Slopes due to Kashmir Hazara

Uplifting which causes steep slopes. Landslides Start from Kohala Bridge to Barnala Area.

Weep holes

Gabbens

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`

Photo 3: Khola land sliding

Stop-3: Chattar Kalas

Formation & Lithology: Formation of Hazara-Kashmir Syntaxis with Dominant

lithology of Sandstone, Dolomite, shale, Schist, Phyllites, Slates, gneisses.

Description: The NW-trending Hazara-Kashmir syntaxis (HKS) lies in the hinterland of

the Himalayan collision zone. The NW-trending Indus-Kohistan Seismic Zone (IKSZ) is

associated with an active blind wedge of thick-skin reverse faults which extends obliquely

across the HKS. Have three segments and formations.

Hazara Segment: It is present in Ghari Habibbulah, Abbottabad, Kohala, Nathiagali area. In this area Basement rock is Hazara Formation which is composed of Slates.

Kaghan Segment: It is present in Ghari Habibullah, Sharda, Babusar Top. In this area Basement rock in NE is Salkhalah formation or Shardah group and in NW Tanawal Formation.

Kashmir Segment: It extends from east of Ghari Habibullah to Kotli area. In this area basement rock is Abbottabad Formation.

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Hazara Kashmir Syntax is divided into Three Parts: Lower Part: Downward to MBT,

Middle Part: Westward to Panjal Fault and MBT, Upper Part: Northward to Panjal Fault and

MBT.

Photo 4: Formation of Hazara-Kashmir Syntaxis

Stop-4: Ambore Tunnel

Formation & Lithology: Lithology was mostly boulder and cobble.

Description: The selection for tunnel construction must Compacted, Durable and

hard. In tunnels average Joints are counted by examining joints in 1m/m area. Then joints are packed by grouting to prevent strata collapse.

The Tunnel consists of four parts

1. Top most Crown 2.Spring line (Curvature),

3. Wall 4.Inward (Bed).

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Photo 5: Tunnel view in Ambore

DAY-2

Stop-1: AJK University Campus

Latitude (33` 96” 44’) Longitude (72` 54” 53’)

Formation & Lithology: The Formation present is Siltstone band Sandstone,

Intraformational Conglomerates and Argillaceous Shale.

Age: Miocene

Observation: Murre Formation Having Alternate Bed of sand and shale with Subordinate

intra-Formational Conlomerate. Sandstone color is grey. Cross bedded having Calcite vein in

Abundance. Mapping was done also for this area.

Crown

InwardWall

Spring line

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Photo 6: Red shale of Murre formation AJK uni

Photo 7: Sandstone of Murre formation AJK uni

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Stop-2: Chahla Bandi

Formation and Lithology: Abbotabad Formation, Murree Formation, Kuldana

Formation. Having Sandstones, Shale and Dolomites lithology.

Observation: Balakot-Bagh fault is present. Degraded scarp is observed of fault between

Abbottabad Formation and Murree Formation. It is a curved thrust fault plane. On the right,

Photo 8: Fault scarp and BBT

There is contact between Kuldana Formation in Black colour and Murree Formation with

Alluvium cover. This fault is an active fault and the folds formed are anticline. This fault

extends up to Chillikot-Sirinagar area. The faults have been formed in Abbottabad formation

due to extensive fracturing. Mapping were done also for this area

Travelling a distance of about 10minute we were able to see Folds.

BBT

Abbotabad

Kuldana

Murre

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Photo 9: Folds near Chela bandi

Stop-3: Yaadgar

Formation and Lithology: Abbottabad Formation: Cherty Dolomites, Chert Bands

Hangu Formation: Sandstone, Laterite etc. Lockhart Formation: Nodular Limestone. Patala

Formation: Shales with Limestone Bands Margalla Hill Formation: Nodular Limestone

Chorgali Formation: Marls and Shale. Kuldana Formation: Gypsiferous Shales Murree

Formation : Sandstone, Shales.

Age: Paleocene / Eocene

Observation: Abbottabad formation ends at this location afterward Hangu, Lockhart and

Patala formations starts. We also observed transitional contact of Paleocene rocks with

Chorgali formation and the features we observed exist on the eastern limbs of anticline. After

Chorgali formation, Kuldana Formation starts. Coal Seam is also present in this area.

Photo 10: Bedded stone of Muzzafrabad Formation at Yaadgar

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Photo 11: Presence of Coal seams in Formation

Coal Seam

Abbottabad

Hangu

Lochkart

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Photo 12: Abbottabad, Hangu, Lochrat Formation at Yaadgar

Photo 13: Chorgali and Kuldana Formation at Yaadgar

Stop-4: Noseri

Formation & Lithology: Panjal Volcanic: Marble and Green Stone. Murree Formation:

Sandstones, Shale’s.

Age: Panjal Volcanic of Permian and Murree Formation of Miocene.

Chorgali

Kuldana

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Observation: At the top of terrace there were yellow colored marble and distinguishing green colored Panjal volcanoes of Permian age. Here we found primary volcanic structures

Photo 14: Marble and Freen stone of Panjal volcanic in Nosheri

like amygdule, vesicle and pillow lava like structure. Vesicles are the air bubbles trapped in magma and if these vesicles are filled with secondary minerals, they are known as Amygdule e.g. Pillow like lava.

DAY-3

Stop-1: Ambore

Formation & Lithology: Murree Formation Sandstone and Hazara Formation Dolomite.

Age: Murree Formation Miocene and Hazara Formation Precambrian.

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Observation: There is a fault between Murree Formation and Hazara Formation, known as

Jhelum Fault which is a Left Lateral Strike Slip Fault with Reverse Component that runs

through the Jhelum River and terminates along EW salt ranges. It extended from Mangla to

Balakot. Fault Gouge is present at the fault zone which is the crushed dolomite. Mostly the

local scientists treat the dolomite as upper portion of Hazara formation but according to the

research Greek scientist named this portion as Rara.

Photo 15: Jhelum fault between Murre and Hazara Formation in Ambore

Some Micro folds were also indentified. These folds are developed in association with faults

and their development depends upon the properties of material being involved during

formation which can either be plastic, elastic or ductile.Some local fault were also located.

Murre

Hazara

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Photo 16: Micro Folds in Dolomite of Hazara Formation in Ambore

Photo 17: Local Fault in Dolomite in Ambore

Stop-2: Subrhi

Structure: Lake and River

Observation: About 25 years ago heavy rain fall occurred and stream carried depleted

material with it and deposited on the path of Neelam River and a Lake was formed. Due to

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this lake Basin became wider. Later on the depleted material was blasted and the path of the River was cleared. This area is the region between two faults.

Then we studied a method to measure the attitude of the bed, i.e.-e strike and dip of the bed which is either inaccessible or is located very far by Shooting method and plotting strike and dip in stereo net and find the type of Fold.

Photo 18: Neelam River view at Subheri

DAY 4

Stop-1: Lohar Gali

Formation & Lithology: Hazara Formation is of regional metamorphism and Lithology Slates

Age: Precambrian

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Geomorphology: Meandering River. In this river, deposition is on the Inner side of the river and outer side is cutting the area. River change its course due to fault uplift.

Photo 19: Meander River From Lohar gali

Photo 20: Hazara slates in Lohar Gali

Stop-2: Barar Kot

Formation & Lithology: Abbottabad Formation It is divided into three groups:

Sandstone (Sanghar Gali Member)

Cherty Dolomite (Mohammada Gali Member)

Sandstone, Shales, Cross Bedded Sandstone (Mirpur Member)

Alluvial Fan

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Age: Cambrian

Observation: Chopboard weathering is present in the sandstone of Abbottabad Formation.

Photo 21: Chopboard weathering in the sandstone of Abbottabad Formation.

Stop-3: Batrasi

Formation & Lithology: Tanawal Formation mainly consist Schist and Pyrite. Pyrite is

called fool’s gold because of rusty appearance it look like iron.

Age: Precambrian

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Photo 22: Pyrite rusty appearance in Batarsi.

Stop-4: Chitta Batta

Formation & Lithology: Mansehra Granet Formation having Lithology Granet.

Age: Cambrian (Mansehra Granet)

Observation: White Colour grains that are shiny are Muscovite grains. Black shiny grains

are biotite. Tormaline and Schroal. Pyrite is also present. It is an Intrusive Igneous rock with

higher silica content. It is an intrusion in the country rock . The country rock at this place is

Tanol Formation of Precambrian Age.

Dike: A dike has intruded a Granet body, the dike composition is Quartzite. There is a cross

cutting relationship between granet and quartzite which is a Metamorphic Rock.

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Photo 23: Granite in Manshera Formation in Chitta Batta

Photo 24: Dike Intrusion Quartzite in Chitta Batta

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Stop-5: Manshera Ashoka Park

Formation & Lithology: Tanol Formation having Lithologies Stauralite Garnet Mica Schist Schist, Brown Garnet, Needle Like Structures are Stauralite, Biotite (More), Muscovite.

Age: Precambrian

Observation: Granite Rock with xenoliths, Phyllite Shiny appearance in the rock is due to the presence of cerasite.

Photo 25: Xenolith in Granite at Asoka Park, Manshera

Photo 26: Phyllite Shiny appearance due to the presence of cerasite.

Xenoliths

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Stop-5: Selhad

Formation & Lithology: Oolitic Limestone of Samana Suk Formation.

Observation: Oolictic Limestone present at this place is of Yellow Colour due to weathering.

Age: Jurassic

Photo 27: Yellow Colour Oolitic Limstone

Stop-5: Khota Kabar

Formation & Lithology: Tanaki Boulder Beds with Lithologies Boulder Beds in Red

Colour, Slate in Black colour.

Age: Precambrian

Observation: Tanaki boulder Bed is above Hazara slates. There is Angular Relationship between Tanaki Boulder Beds and Hazara Formation. At this place there is an unconformity between Hazara and Abbottabad Formation.

Weathered

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Photo 28: Angular Relationship between Tanaki Boulder Beds and Hazara Formation at Khotha Kabar.

Slates

Tanaki Boulder Beds

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REFERENCES

1. HTTP://EN.WIKIPEDIA.ORG/WIKI/HAZARA_PAKISTAN

2. HTTP://EN.WIKIPEDIA.ORG/WIKI/AZAD_KASHMIR

3. HTTP://WWW.WEATHER.COM/PK

4. STRATIGRAPHIC ASPECT OF RECENT EARTHQUAKE OCCURRED ALONG

THE BALAKOT-BAGH FAULT, NORTH-WEST HIMALAYAS, PAKISTAN BY

MUNIR-UL- HASSAN MUNIR

5. STRATIGRAPHY, METAMORPHIC AND TECTONIC OF THE HAZARA

KASHMIR SYNTAXIS AREA BY GRECO ANTONIO SWITERLAND

6. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SOIL OF MUZAFFARABAD KHOLA

AREA AJK BY M.ARSHAD KHAN AND M.SHOIAB QURESHI AJK

UNIVERSITY.

7. GEOLOGY AND TECTONIC OF PAKISTAN BY KAZMI AND JAN

8. GEOLOGY AND STRATIGRAPHY OF PAKISTAN BY KAZMI AND ABBASI

9. GEOLOGY OF THE HIMALAYA MOUNTAINS BY WADIA

10. GEOLOGY OF HETTANGIAN TO MIDDLE EOCENE ROCKS OF HAZARA

AND KASHMIR BASINS, NORTHWEST LESSER HIMALAYAS, PAKISTAN

BY NAVEED AHSAN

11. LITHOSPHERIC SCALE FOLDING MODELLING AND APPLICATION TO

HIMALAYAN SYNTAXS BY J.P BURG

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GLOSSARY

Alluvium: Unconsolidated terrestrial sediment composed of sorted or unsorted sand, gravel,

and clay that has been deposited by water.

Angle of repose: The steepest slope angle in which particular sediment will lie without

cascading down.

Banded iron ore: A sediment consisting of layers of chert alternating with bands of ferric

iron oxides (hematite and limonite) in valuable concentrations.

Basalt: A fine-grained, dark, mafic igneous rock composed largely of plagioclase feldspar

and pyroxene.

Basement: The oldest rocks recognized in a given area, a complex of metamorphic and

igneous rocks that underlies all the sedimentary formations. Usually Precambrian or

Paleozoic in age.

Bedding: A characteristic of sedimentary rocks in which parallel planar surfaces separating

different grain sizes or compositions indicate successive depositional surfaces that existed at

the time of sedimentation.

Cataclastic rock: A breccia of powdered rock formed by crushing and shearing during

tectonic movements.

Chert: A sedimetary form of amorphous or extremely fine-grained silica, partially hydrous,

found in concretions and beds.

Coal: The metamorphic product of stratified plant remains. It contains more than 50 percent

carbon compounds and burns readily.

Dip: The angle by which a stratum or other planar feature deviates from the horizontal. The

angle is measured in a plane perpendicular to the strike.

Fault: A planar or gently curved fracture in the Earth's crust across which there has been

relative displacement.

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Fault-block Mountain: A mountain or range formed as a horst when it was elevated

between parallel normal faults.

Fold: A planar feature, such as a bedding plane, that has been strongly warped, presumably

by deformation.

Geomorphology: The science of surface landforms and their interpretation on the basis of

geology and climate.

Gravel: The coarsest of alluvial sediments, containing mostly particles larger than 2 mm in

size and including cobbles and boulders.

Meander: Broad, semicircular curves in a stream that develop as the stream erodes the outer

bank of a curve and deposits sediment against the inner bank.

Monocline: The S-shaped fold connecting two horizontal parts of the same stratum at

different elevations. Its central limb is usually not overturned.

Orogenic belt: A linear region, often a former geo-syncline, that has been subjected to

folding, and other deformation in a mountain-building episode.

Schistosity: The parallel arrangement of shaly or prismatic minerals like micas and

amphiboles resulting from nonhydrostatic stress in metamorphism.

Syntaxis: A sharp bend in orogeny mountain belt.

Xenoliths: A piece of country rock found engulfed in an intrusion.