Arab J Geosci (2015) 8:1653–1667

DOI 10.1007/s12517-014-1322-1

ORIGINAL PAPER

Stratigraphic and sedimentological attributes in Hazara Basin

Lesser Himalaya, North Pakistan: their role in deciphering
minerals potential
Muhammad Umar & Muhammad Amjad Sabir & Muhammad Farooq &
Malik Muhammad Saud Sajid Khan & Faridullah Faridullah & Umair Khan Jadoon &
Abdul Salam Khan

Received: 6 August 2013 / Accepted: 7 February 2014 / Published online: 27 February 2014
# Saudi Society for Geosciences 2014

Abstract Hazara Basin lies within lesser Himalayan region important role in formation and exploration of these economic
and has undergone complex depositional and tectonic epi- mineral deposits.
sodes responsible for accumulation of different economic
minerals. Phosphate, ironstone, manganese, coal and china
clay deposits reported from the area indicate different sedi- Keywords Lesser Himalaya . Stratigraphy . Basin evolution .
mentary environments including deep marine to carbonate Mineral potential . Pakistan
and clastic shallow marine, glaciogenic and fluvial systems.
These variable environments were mainly a result of different
tectonic events, which were caused by formation and rifting of
Introduction
Rodina, Gondwana, Pangaea, India, Madagascar and collision
of India with Eurasia. Phosphate was formed in anoxic shal-
Basin evolution in terms of stratigraphy, depositional evolu-
low marine environments during Cambrian in Sirban Member
tion, and tectonic histories plays an important role in hydro-
and Hazira Formation, whereas, ironstone deposits were
carbon and mineral explorations (As-Saruri et al. 2010). The
formed in oxygenated shelf and/or residual mechanisms dur-
Hazara Basin (HB) within lesser Himalaya north Pakistan
ing nondepositional periods, e.g., at the base of Jurassic and
bears excellent exposures of sedimentary rocks ranging in
Tertiary successions. China clay was also formed at uncon-
age from Late Proterozoic to Holocene. The Hazara region
formable surface at the base of Shinwari Formation of Jurassic
is considered to be a geologically important province due to
age. Coal within Chichali Formation was formed in anoxic,
stratigraphic, sedimentological, and structural relations caused
organic-rich deltaic shelf conditions. Basin evolution com-
by the Himalayan orogeny, as well as containing useful eco-
bined with stratigraphic set up of the region has played very
nomic minerals such as phosphate, iron, manganese, coal, etc.
(Shah and Moon 2004). Variations in lithostratigraphy, uncon-
M. Umar : M. A. Sabir : M. Farooq : M. M. S. S. Khan : formities, complex depositional environments and economic
U. K. Jadoon mineral deposits of the basin attract the interest of authors to
Department of Earth Sciences, COMSATS Institute of Information
Technology, Abbottabad, Pakistan
study the whole sequence and present the evolution of this
sedimentary basin throughout geological history in this sector
M. Umar (*) of lesser Himalaya. Stratigraphy plays an important role in
Department of Geology, University of Balochistan, Quetta, Pakistan exploration of minerals and hydrocarbon resources through-
e-mail: umarkhan09@yahoo.com
out the world. Nature and specific depositional environments
F. Faridullah accompanied with stratigraphy can successfully be used to
Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS Institute of explore such natural resources and it also helps to reduce
Information Technology, Abbottabad, Pakistan mining cost. Deep–shallow marine to fluvial clastic and car-
bonate shelf systems are studied in the HB and presented
A. S. Khan
Centre of Excellence in Mineralogy, University of Balochistan, possible stratigraphic horizons of economic minerals
Quetta, Pakistan (Table 1).
1654 Arab J Geosci (2015) 8:1653–1667

Table 1 Stratigraphic succession of the studied area (modified after Kazmi and Abbassi, 2008)

Rock units Lithology Age

Havelian group Mixture of gravels, pebbles, clay, and sand Holocene/Pleistocene

Unconformity
Murree Formation Interbedded sandstone and shale Early Miocene
Unconformity
Kuldana Formation Gypsiferrous shale and marl Eocene
Chorgali Formation Marl and thin bedded limestone
Margala Hill Limestone Fossiliferrous limestone
Patala Formation Shale and siltstone Paleocene
Lockhart Limestone Nodular limestone
Unconformity
Kawagarh Formation Gray limestone Cretaceous
Lumshiwal Formation Massive sandstone
Chichali Formation Arenaceous shale, marl with laterite
Unconformity
Samanasuk Formation Oolitic limestone Jurassic
Shinwari Formation Limestone and marl
Unconformity
Tarnawai group Galdanian Formation Sandstone with minor shale Cambrian
Hazira Formation Siltstone, shale, sandstone, and dolomite
Abbottabad Formation Mangi di Bandi Member Sandstone with thin interbeds of shale
Sirban Member Dolomite, limestone with minor shale
Mirpur Member Shale and sandstone
Mahmdagali Member Dolomite with minor interbeds of sandstone
Kakul Formation Sandstone with minor shale
Unconformity
Tanawal Formation Sandstone/quartzite and shale Precambrian
Unconformity
Hazara Formation Shale, sandstone, siltstone and slate/phyllite Precambrian
Base not exposed

Important works about geological mapping, stratigraphy,
generalized structures, and mineral potentials in various parts
of the HB were carried out by Latif (1970), Calkins et al.
(1975), Pogue et al. (1999), Shah and Moon (2004), DiPietro
and Pouge (2004), Zahid et al. (2009), and Ahmad et al.
(2013). Preliminary sedimentology of the Jurassic-Eocene
succession is presented by Ahsan and Chaudhry (2008).
Keeping in view the mineral potential of the area, this work
is generally focused on the stratigraphy as well as sedimen-
tology to provide better results for future exploration possibil-
ities in this region. Furthermore, this study will assist the
future research as well as mine owners to begin work with
better scientific knowledge.
Regional geologic settings
Tectonic activities severely disturbed the area as it is a
part of active Himalayan belt. Present study covers the
HB located within Hazara-Fold-and-Thrust Belt (HFTB)
in lesser Himalaya (Fig. 1). The HFTB is an east–west
trending northwestern sector of the main Himalayan Fold-
and-Thrust Belt and is bounded by Main Boundary Thrust
(MBT) in south and Panjal Thrust (PF) in the north. The
HFTB merges into the Hazara-Kashmir Syntaxis towards
northeast. Major structural features of the region include
Hazara-Kashmir Syntaxis (HKS), Main Karakuram
Thrust (MKT), Main Mantle Thrust (MMT), Main
Boundary Thrust (MBT), Panjal Thrust (PT), and Hazara
Thrust (HT). MKT separates the deformed meta-
sedimentary and igneous rocks of Karakoram block in
the north from Kohistan Island Arc (KIA) complex in
the south. The MMT is a younger suture of the Himalayan
domain, and it buckles KIA with the Indo-Pak and the
Eurasian Plates in the south and north, respectively. The
Kohistan Ladakh Island Arc is associated with the Hima-
layan Orogeny, merges laterally to form a single suture in
the MMT, which is an east–west striking suture zone. It
Arab J Geosci (2015) 8:1653–1667
Fig. 1 Generalized map showing
major tectonic features and
location of study area with green
box (after Ahsan and Chaudhry
2008)
can be correlated with Indus Suture (IS) in India. The
MMT zone terminates the Tethyan Himalayas in the south
and juxtaposes it against the Indian crustal plate
(Tahirkheli and Jan 1979). The MBT is nearly 2,500 km
long and the youngest among mega-shears of the Hima-
layan Region. The stresses generated due to convergence
are migrating to Himalayan Front in the south which is
being accommodated by the multiple shear zones. Defor-
mations in the southern Hazara (lesser Himalaya) are
mostly due to MBT. The MBT juxtaposes stratigraphic
assemblages ranging in age from Precambrian to Cenozo-
ic in the north over younger strata to the south (Seeber
et al. 1981). All the geologic structures in the study area
are mainly east–west, northeast–southwest oriented. Tec-
tonic transport was from south–southeast. The PT has
played an active role in the tectonic evolution of the lesser
Himalaya. The thrust emanates in Pir Panjal Range
(Kashmir) and extends northward along the eastern flank of
the HKS. It lies at the base of Precambrian metamorphic rocks
and tectonically separates the Hazara unit of Precambrian age
from the younger Panjal Imbricate Zone of Paleozoic–Meso-
zoic age (Tahirkheli 1982). HT extends westward from the
HKS and is responsible for the deformational elements present
in the lesser Himalaya.
1655
Methodology
Ten stratigraphic sections were measured in detail (Fig. 2) on
centimeter scale. Lithological characters and variations of
each lithostratigraphic units, unconformities, and sedimentary
structures such as grading, parallel lamination, cross bedding,
thickness and geometry of beds and nature of bioturbation,
etc. were studied in detail in order to cognize sedimentary
environments and facies variations. The field data (lithology
and common sedimentary features) collected in different sec-
tions is summarized in a generalized stratigraphic column
which also indicates the positions of important economic
minerals.
Stratigraphy of the basin
Lithostratigraphic units exposed in the study area are ranging
in age from Precambrian to Holocene (Fig. 2). The Hazara
Formation contains dark gray, greenish gray shale, slates,
greenish gray, medium to dark gray, brownish gray siltstone
and medium gray, greenish gray, dark gray and sandstone
(Fig. 3a) (Butt 1972). Shale, slates, and siltstone are thin to
1656
Fig. 2 Geological map showing
location of measured stratigraphic
sections (after Searle and Khan
1996)
very thin bedded (up to 20 cm), and sandstone is medium to
thick bedded. Frequency and thickness of sandstone packets
increases upward. The formation has very large apparent
thicknesses throughout the Hazara region. However, intense
folding has caused repetition (or multiple repetition) of the
strata. We measured the formation up to 2,600 m in section 9.
The base of the formation is not exposed. Crawford and Davis
(1975) performed age dating of three fine-grained clastic
samples using the Rb/Sr method. They obtained Precambrian
(765 and 950 Ma) age for the Hazara Formation.
Tanawal Formation (Pascoe 1959) comprises cream, light
gray, light brown, brown, yellowish brown sandstone/
quartzite, and maroon, dark gray to black slate/phyllite, shale
(Fig. 3b). Sandstone beds are thin (10 cm) to very thick
(150 cm). Thicker beds generally display amalgamation.
Shale dominantly occurs in the basal part of the formation
which gradually changes to sandstone. The Tanawal Forma-
tion is 900 m thick in section 8. The lower contact of the
Tanawal Formation with the Hazara Formation is unconform-
able as indicated by the presence of a conglomerate bed
(Fig. 3c). Mansehra Granites intruded within the Tanawal
Arab J Geosci (2015) 8:1653–1667
Formation in 516 Ma (Le Fort et al. 1980) and the formation
is referred to the Precambrian (Kazmi and Abbasi 2008).
The Tanakki Boulder Bed (Latif 1970) of glaciogenic
origin consists of conglomerate and breccia (Fig. 3d) at the
base of the Kakul Formation, separating Precambrian and
Cambriam strata in HB. This unit consists of gray, brown,
greenish gray conglomerate/breccia of sub-angular-angular to
subrounded fragments. Fragments show various degree of
roundness depending on their composition, e.g., slate frag-
ments exhibit better roundness as compared with quartzite and
sandstone clasts. Conglomerate and breccia are matrix sup-
ported containing sand, silt, and mud matrix. The unit is about
55 m thick in the measured section 9.
The Kakul Formation of Latif (1970) is well exposed at
sections 6 and 9. The formation contains sandstone/quartzite
with some interbeds of shale. The color of the sandstone/
quartzite is creamy, purple, maroon and brown while the shale
is maroon and greenish gray in color. Sandstone is commonly
medium to thick bedded (Fig. 3e). It is 70 m thick in section 6.
Presence of conglomerate (Tanaki Boulder Bed; Fig. 3d) at the
base of the Formation indicates an unconformity with the
Arab J Geosci (2015) 8:1653–1667
Fig. 3 Field photographs of: a shale/sandstone rich turbidites of Hazara
Formation, b sandstone-rich Tanawal Formation, c well-rounded con-
glomerates at the base of Tanawal Formation marks unconformity, d
underlying Tanawal Formation. The Kakul Formation is un-
fossiliferous but based on its stratigraphic position Cambrian
age has been suggested by Shah 1977.
The Abbottabad Formation (Marks and Ali 1962) is well
exposed in the HB. The Formation comprises a thick succes-
sion of shale, sandstone, dolomite, limestone, and siltstone.
On the basis of lithology, we have subdivided the formation
into four members. A complete section of the Abbottabad
Formation is well preserved in sections 6 and 9. The Forma-
tion is about 300 m thick at section 6. There is a sharp but
1657
galciogenic Tanaki boulder bed, e view of Kakul Formation, and f sharp
contact between Kakul Formation and Mahmdagali member of
Abbottabad Formation
conformable contact with the underlying Kakul Formation
(Fig. 3f). Its age is also Cambrian (Shah 1977). The formation
is subdivided into four members based on lithoogical varia-
tions. The Mahmdagali Member (Latif 1970) is a dolomite
and limestone rich unit overlying the Kakul Formation
(Fig. 4a). It is comprised of abundant dolomite with minor
arenaceous limestone and shale interbeds. The dolomite is
pink, light gray, and yellowish gray in color, and its beds are
thick to very thick. Both dolomite and limestone are
intraclastic in nature. The member is 72 m in section 6. Load
1658
casts were observed within this unit along with some erosive
surfaces with alternate beds. The Mirpur Member (Latif 1970)
consists of purple colored shale of splintery nature gradually
changing to purple sandstone upward (Fig. 4b, c). Siltstone
beds are also found within the shale. The thickness of shale is
25 m, whereas, the sandstone package is 30 m in section 6.
The name Sirban Member is proposed here to Sirban dolomite
of Latif (1970), the thickest unit of the Abbottabad Formation.
The member comprises dolomite as well as limestone with
some intercalations of shale (Fig. 4d). This name is more
Fig. 4 Field photographs of Abbottabad Formation: a close view of
intraclastic dolomite of Mahdagali member, b lower shale dominant part
of Mirpur member, c upper-sandstone-rich unit of Mirpur member, d far
Arab J Geosci (2015) 8:1653–1667
appropriate due to the mixed lithology. The dolomite is pink-
ish gray, reddish gray and light gray, whereas the limestone is
light to medium gray at fresh surfaces. Shale is greenish gray
and yellowish gray in color and present as thin intercalations
within thick to very thick beds of dolomite and limestone. The
Sirban Member is 250 m thick in section 6. The uppermost
member of Abbottabad Formation is named here as Mangi di
Bandi Member (Fig. 4e). It is composed of thin bedded
sandstone of yellow to yellowish brown in color. It is 35 m
thick in section 6.
view of Sirban member, e close view of Mangi di Bandi member, and f
Hazira Formation (top right inset shows phosphate-rich band, and phos-
phate mine in the Hazira Formation can be seen in lower right inset)
Arab J Geosci (2015) 8:1653–1667
The Tarnawai Group of Latif (1970) comprises two
lithostratigraphic units namely the Hazira and Galdanian for-
mations. The Hazira Formation (Gardezi and Ghazanfar 1965)
contains siltstone, clay, shale, sandstone, and dolomite, ferro-
manganese ores. It is up to 150 m thick (Shah and Moon
2004). Shale is dark brown, gray to dark gray (Fig. 4f), where-
as, siltstone is very thin to thin bedded and contains concre-
tions. The lower contact is disconformable with the
Abbottabad Formation. Its age is Cambrian (Rushton 1973).
Galdanian Formation (Latif 1970) comprises sandstone,
quartzite interbedded with shale. Sandstone is light brown to
brown and pink in color (Fig. 5a). Sandstone and quartzite
beds are thin to medium, thick to very thick bedded. Bed
thickness is increasing upward. Galdanian Formation is about
100 m thick in its exposed section in Kakul area. Lower
contact of the Formation is conformable with Hazira Forma-
tion. The Cambrian age is assigned by Latif (1970) to the
formation.
Shinwari Formation (Fatmi 1977) is mainly composed of
limestone interbedded with shale and marl (Fig. 5b). Lime-
stone is medium to dark gray and thin to medium bedded.
Shale and marl are light gray to brownish gray in color. The
lower contact of the formation is unconformable with the
Galdanian Formation as indicated by the presence of iron beds
and china clays at its base (Fig. 5c). The presence of
bouleiceras, niticens, pectin, lima, and montivaltia like fossils
in the Formation indicate a Jurassic age (Latif 1970). The
Samana Suk Formation (Davies 1930) contains limestone of
arenaceous, dolomitic and micritic nature interbedded with
thin shale at places. The color of the limestone is light gray,
medium gray, brownish gray and yellowish gray. The lime-
stone is medium to thick bedded. Thick beds commonly show
amalgamation (Fig. 5d). Rip up mud clasts are common in the
formation (Fig. 5e). The formation is 300 m thick in the
Hazara region (Shah 1977). The Formation conformably over-
lies Shinwari Formation. Fatmi (1973, 1977) suggest Jurassic
age to this formation as well.
The Chichali Formation (Danilchik 1961) is composed of
yellowish brown, dark gray to black shale with few interbeds
of marl and limestone (Fig. 5f). The thickness of the formation
is 90 m. The lower contact of the formation is unconformable
with the Samana Suk Formation. The Formation is highly
fossiliferus containing ammonites such as perisphinctes,
frequens, and Belemnopsis cancdiculatus (Fatmi 1977). The
age of the formation is late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous
(Ahsan 2008). The Lumshiwal Formation (Fatmi 1973) con-
tains pale white, brown, and reddish brown (Fig. 6a), fine to
medium grained, medium to thick bedded sandstone. The
formation is 5 m thick near section 4. Lower contact of the
Formation is conformable with Samana Suk Formation. Late
Jurassic–Early Cretaceous age is given to the formation by
Calkins et al. 1975. The Kawagarh Formation (Fatmi 1973)
consists of gray to dark gray limestone and occasionally
1659
arenaceous limestone. Limestone is finely crystalline and thin
to thick bedded (Fig. 6b). Some beds are very thick (up to 3 m)
and show amalgamation. Limestone is intraclastic at places.
The Formation is about 106 m thick (Calkins et al. 1975). The
lower contact of the Formation is sharp but conformable with
the Lumshiwal Formation and is considered to be of Late
Cretaceous age (Latif 1970).
The Lockhart Limestone (Fatmi 1973) contains medium to
dark gray, micritic and nodular limestone with interbeds of
shale. Limestone beds are thin to very thick (Fig. 6c). Bed
thickness increases upward. Total thickness of the formation
in the study area is 242 m. The lower contact of Lockhart
Limestone is unconformable with the Kawagarh Formation.
Middle-Late Paleocene age has been assigned to this forma-
tion (Latif 1970). The Patala Formation (Davies and Pinfold
1937) is composed of shale interbedded with siltstone and
marl and has wide exposures around Kuzagali village. Shale is
dark gray, pale yellow, brown, yellowish brown, greenish gray
and olive gray in color (Fig. 6d), whereas, siltstone and marl
are medium gray, brownish gray and very thin to medium
bedded. The Formation is 180 m thick. The lower contact of
the Patala Formation with the Lockhart Limestone is conform-
able. The formation is of late Paleocene age (Latif 1970).
The Margalla Hill limestone (Latif 1970) contains lime-
stone with interbeds of shale and marl (Fig. 6e). The limestone
is light gray, pale gray, finely crystalline, medium to thick
bedded and of nodular nature. The shale is greenish brown to
brown and marl is gray to brownish gray in color. The forma-
tion is 100 m thick. The lower contact of the Margalla Hill
Limestone is conformable with the Patala Formation. Early
Eocene age is assigned to the formation (Latif 1970). The
Chor Gali Formation (Latif 1970) is light gray, pale gray
limestone, marls, and yellowish brown, light gray shale. The
limestone is thin to thick bedded and nodular in nature
(Fig. 6f). The Formation is 60 m thick and unconformably
overlies Margalla Hill Limestone. Gastropods, foraminifera
and molluscus of early Eocene age are reported in the Forma-
tion (Latif 1970). The Kuldana Formation (Latif 1970) con-
sists of brown, purple, greenish gray, maroon shale, yellowish
brown, pale gray marl, and limestone (Fig. 7a). Marl and
limestone are present as interbeds within dominant shale.
Shale is gypsifereous at places (Latif 1976). The Formation
conformably overlies the Chor Gali Formation. A Middle
Eocene age is assigned to the formation based on the fossils
(Latif 1970).
Murree Formation (Fatmi 1972) consists of greenish gray,
maroon and red siltstone, shale and mudstone (Fig. 7b). Fine
to medium grained sandstone of greenish gray and brown
color is present as interbeds within the mudstone/shale. The
base of Murree Formation is marked by an angular unconfor-
mity with the underlying Kuldana Formation. The formation
is regarded as early to middle Miocene in age (Feistmantel
1882). The Havelian group (Latif 1970) is a thick succession
1660
Fig. 5 Field photographs of: a Galdanian Formation; b Shinwari For-
mation; c ferromanganese-china clay horizon marks Cambrian-Jurassic
boundary; d Samanasuk Formation (top right inset shows pellets/oolites
of recent/subrecent deposits exposed in various locations of
HB. These deposits consist of various combination of lithol-
ogies, e.g., cobbles, gravel, pebbles, sand, silt, and clays of
unconsolidated to semi-lithified nature (Fig. 7c). Presence of
sandstone, quartzite, limestone, and slate fragments reflect
their source from exposures of various older lithostratigraphic
units of the region (see Fig. 2). Fossils are not found or
reported in the group. The age of the Havelian group is
Pleistocene/Holocene (Latif 1970) as 0.73 Ma to present
(Pivnik 1998).
Arab J Geosci (2015) 8:1653–1667
in the Formation); e cross laminated and rip up mud clasts in Samanasuk
Formation; f dark gray–black shale of Chichali Formation (lower right
inset indicates a coal mine)
Discussion
Basin evolution
The evolution of HB started during Precambrian era with the
deposition of Hazara Formation, which exhibits excellent
features of deep marine environments such as normal grading,
parallel and cross-laminated sandstone, parallel laminated
siltstone and shale showing complete (or various combina-
tions of) Bouma sequences (Bouma 1962), for instance Tabc,
Arab J Geosci (2015) 8:1653–1667 1661

Fig. 6 Field photographs showing: a thin exposure of clastic lumshiwal Formation; Kawagarh Formation, c nodular Lockhart Limestone, d shale
dominant Patala Formation, e Margalla Hill Limestone, and f Chorgali Formation

Tab, Tac, Tde, Tcde, and Te. Sole marks (both flute and
groove type) are observed at the base of sandstone beds. These
features are observed in sections 6, 9, and 10 (see Fig. 2).
Presence of a conglomerate horizon overlying Hazara Forma-
tion indicates an unconformity (Fig. 3c). This unconformity
and well-rounded fragments of Hazara Formation in the con-
glomerate bed suggest an uplift and erosion events prior to the
deposition of Tanawal Formation in HB. In the Tanawal
Formation, shale is parallel laminated. While the sandstones
of the Formation is characterized by a number of sedimentary
structures, such as parallel lamination, massive, large-scale
planar to trough, and hummocky cross stratifications
(Fig. 8). Various combinations of these structures exhibit that
the Formation was deposited in inner- to outer-shelf environ-
ments (Fig. 8). A hiatus is marked by the conglomerate/
breccia bed above the Tanawal Formation (Tanaki Boulder
Bed) of Latif (1970). The Tanaki Boulder bed is unsorted to
very poorly sorted, boulder to sand size sediments and is
lacking imbrication and fluvial channel characteristics. The
angular nature of clasts and occurrence of glacial striations
reflect their deposition in glacial environments. The same
glacial period is reported in Indian Lesser Himalaya at the
1662
Fig. 7 Field photographs of: a Kuldana Formation, b Murree Formation,
and c Havelian group
same startigraphic horizon (Vildaya 1995). Set of sedimen-
tary structures in the Kakul Formation includes large-scale
planar-cross bedding, parallel lamination, massive and bio-
turbation (Fig. 8). Such assemblage of sedimentary struc-
tures pertains to deposition in shoreface-inner-shelf
settings.
Arab J Geosci (2015) 8:1653–1667
The Cambrian Abbottabad Formation shows quite diverse
lithology, e.g., sandstone, dolomite, limestone, and shale and
is subdivided into four members (Fig. 2). Mahmdagali Mem-
ber is characterized by intraclastic, massive, hummocky cross
stratification, and minor parallel laminated dolomite and lime-
stone. These features show that this member was formed in
shallow marine conditions where storm and reworking were
dominant as indicated by hummocky cross stratification as
well as intraclastic nature of dolomite. Continuous reworking
took place in a wave-tide dominated shelf (Ainardi and
Champetier 1976) and supratidal conditions caused desicca-
tion of carbonate muds (Silva and Bolli 1973). The Mirpur
member is characterized by maroon laminated shale and fine
to very fine grained, thin to thick bedded, parallel laminated
and massive sandstone. This notion exhibits their deposition
in shallow marine clastic environments of low to high energy,
oxic conditions and most probably in inner shelf. Sedimentary
structures observed in the Sirban Member are hummocky
cross bedding and parallel lamination. Massive units are also
noted at some horizons. Beds are thick to very thick and
highly amalgamated referring rapid deposition. The identified
facies indicate that the formation was formed in inner shelf
setting by storm dominated fluxes as evidenced from hum-
mocky cross bedding. The presence of phosphorite in the
upper part of the member indicate slow sedimentation like in
condensed basin because a high sea level reduced the sedi-
ments supply and intense weathering of the continental block
supplied the phosphate to the shelf (Nichols 2009). Sandstone
is dominantly parallel laminated, massive, thin and regularly
bedded indicating inner-mid-shelf settings of the Mangi di
Bandi Member. The Hazira Formation was deposited in a
shallow sea under pelagic/hemipelagic conditions as the for-
mation dominantly contains shale and fine sediments which
were deposited in low energy conditions (Shah and Moon
2004). The sandstone of the Galdanian Formation is parallel
laminated, cross bedded, bioturbated, and massive with most-
ly tabular beds. All these features refer to the inner-shelf
deposition settings. Above Galdanian Formation there is a
depositional gap as indicated by the presence of claystone
and lenses of ferromanganese ore. The Pan-African Orogeny
(Duppret et al. 1990), locally called the Hazara Orogeny (Baig
1991) is considered to be the result of different episodes of
uplift, erosion, and nondeposition mentioned after the Pre-
cambrian time. Tethys encompasses India and was formed in
response to Gondwanaland fragmentation (Kazmi and Jan
1997) in Middle–Late Paleozoic, whereas, Pangaea assembly
was progressing (Sengor et al. 1988). Paleo-Tethys between
Laurasia and Gondwanaland existed in carbonifereous time
(Sameeni et al. 2009). The Cimmerian microcontinent was
formed due to rifting of the northern sector of Gondwanaland
(Sengor et al. 1988) and opening of Neo-Tethys (Van der Voo
et al. 1999). Different blocks of Cimmerian microcontinent
collided with Laurasia causing a closure of Paleo-Tethys by
Arab J Geosci (2015) 8:1653–1667
Fig. 8 Detail stratigraphic log showing different lithostratigraphic units, unconformities, sedimentary structures/features, and positions of mineral
deposits of the Hazara Basin (1, Asif et al. 2012; 2, Sameeni et al. 2009; 3, Ahsan 2008; 4, Hottinger 1974; and 5, Paracha 2004)
late Triassic. These events are reflected by a major deposition-
al hiatus from Cambrian to Jurassic in the HB and indicate a
period of uplift and metamorphism (Baig and Lawrence
1987).
The lower contact of the Shinwari Formation is
disconformable with the underlying Galdanian Formation.
The unconformity is represented by the existence of iron beds
and mixture of iron rich fragments within china clays
(Fig. 5c). The formation contains a variety of trace fossils in
the forms of burrows and tubes of horizontal, inclined, and
vertical nature (Fig. 9a) and here mainly classified as
thalassinids and planolites, which are commonly formed in
shallow marine conditions. The limestone of the Samana Suk
Formation is oolitic, pellitic, parallel to cross-laminated, bio-
turbated, thick, and regularly bedded with profusions of rip up
clasts. These features exhibit the deposition of the formation
in epicontinental intertidal environments (Shah 1977). An
unconformity above the Sanama Suk Formation is marked
by laterite beds. Dark gray to black shale of the Chichali
Formation was deposited in a restricted anoxic environment
during Cretaceous (Shah 1977). The association of shale and
1663
subordinate marl and arenaceous thin bedded sandstone indi-
cate mid-deeper shelf environment of the formation. The
dominance and dearth of the belemnites at various horizons
in the formation show resemblance to the winnowed deposits
formed as lag deposits after sporadic storms had stirred the sea
bottom (Hallam and Maynard 1987). Separation of the Indian
Plate from Gondwanaland (Latif et al. 1995) caused the de-
position of dark gray to black color shale of the Chichali
Formation in anoxic restricted mid-outer-shelf environments
as suggested by the existence of belemnite and pyrite (Ahsan
and Chaudhry 2008). During Cretaceous Madagascar separa-
tion from India (Katz 1979), hotspot volcanism (Baksi et al.
1987; Umar et al. 2011a, b, 2013), domal uplift in south Asia
(Latif et al. 1995) marks abundant siliciclastic influx through-
out Indo-Pakistan including the study area where quartz
arenites of the Lumshiwal Formation was formed. A thin
exposure (5 m) of Lumshiwal Formation in HB most probably
represent a short episode of clastc flux and was deposited in
inner shelf to deltaic environments as indicated by its massive
nature and associations with shallow marine facies. Reddish
brown color of the sandstone indicates oxygenated conditions.
1664
Fig. 8 (continued)
The Kawagarh Formation was deposited in the basin where
subsidence was caused by northwards drift of the Indian Plate
(Ahsan and Chaudhry 2008). The Kawagarh Formation was
deposited on inner to outer ramp based on the identified
microfacies such as foraminiferal mudstone microfacies,
mudstone-wackstone microfacies and bioclastic wackstone
microfacies (Asif et al. 2012). During the Maastrichtian-
Danian hiatus (unconformity), the Kawagarh Formation
underwent intense chemical weathering as suggested by the
presence of overlying residual deposits, e.g., pisolitic laterite,
limonite, oolitic hematite, and bauxite. The initial collision of
India with the Kohistan Islanad arc (67±2 Ma) caused sub-
aerial exposure of the Kawagarh Formation and it can be seen
on outcrops by the presence of laterites, bauxites, and fireclays
(Ahsan 2008; Ahsan and Chaudhry 2008). The Lockhart
Limestone is nodular limestone and was deposited on shallow
shelf carbonate platforms (Munir and Baig 2005–2006). The
Formation was formed in inner–outer shelf conditions as
suggested by the reported foraminifera, e.g., Operculina
subsalsa, Operculina salsa, Lockhartia tipperi, Lockhartia
haimei, etc. and dasycladacean algae (Sameeni et al. 2009).
A thick succession of the Patala Formation was deposited
between carbonate shelf to siliciclastic environments (Ahsan
2008). Dominance of shale, cyclic succession of shale and
marl and dark gray coloration of this formation show its
deposition in carbonate to clastic shelf (Ahsan 2008) and/or
Arab J Geosci (2015) 8:1653–1667
swamp and restricted shallow marine, quite water conditions
during a regression phase. The highly fossilifereous
Margalla Hill Limestone was deposited on a carbonate plat-
form (Ahsan 2008). Dominant existence of larger foramini-
fers shows its deposition under shallow marine conditions
and alveolina, orbitolites and nummulitic varities refers reef
environments (Hottinger 1974). The Chor Gali Formation
contains foraminifers (Assilina spinosa, Quinqnuloceline
sp., Nummulites atacicus, Assilina granulosa, Orbitolites
complanatus, and Lockhartia tipperi), mollusks and ostra-
codes which indicate deposition of the formation in inner-
shelf environments with restricted circulation (Sameeni et al.
2009). Collision of the Indian Plate with the Kohistan Island
Arc cause the sea to retreat and the Kuldana Formation was
formed in marginal marine-evaporitic conditions in the ba-
sin. Purple, brown, and red coloration of shale, presence of
oysters and gypsum in the Kuldana Formation indicate epi-
sodic sedimentation by slow deposition and as evaporatic
fluxes in very shallow water and transitional marine envi-
ronments with more marine fresh water influence (Paracha
2004). Molasse of the Murree Formation rests unconform-
ably on Kuldana Formation. Murree Formation is character-
ized by trough to planar-cross bedded, massive, bioturbated
sandstone, and channel lag conglomerates interbedded with
mudstone/shale. The set of mentioned sedimentary struc-
tures indicate their fluvial origin. The sediments of the
Arab J Geosci (2015) 8:1653–1667
Fig. 9 Field photographs of: a intensive bioturbation in Shinwari For-
mation (top and lower right insets indicate close view of trace fossils); b
iron-rich horizons at K-T boundary between Kawagarh and Lockhart
formations (Fig. 9b courtesy of Muhammad Saeed)
Havelian group were formed mainly by river systems (main-
ly channels), fluvioglacial and/or their combination at the
sedimentation rate of 0.07–0.27 mm/year (Pivnik 1998). The
deposits were derived from different small streams as evi-
denced from their paleoflow directions observed by well-
preserved imbrications. The source rocks include
Precambrian-Pliocene sedimentary successions as suggested
by the composition of clasts in very coarse fraction (mainly
gravels and conglomerates) of the group.
Mineral potential
Stratigraphy, sedimentary environments, and basin evolution
of the HB get prime importance in exploration of useful
sedimentary ores in the area, both in terms of their stratigraph-
ic position and their origin. The occurrence of phosphate in the
upper part of the Sirban Member is up to 5 m thick, whereas as
thin layers and lenses occur in the lower part of the Hazira
Formation (Shah and Moon 2004). Phosphate was formed in a
1665
transgressive phase of Gondwanaland in this sector as sug-
gested by the shift of carbonate to clastic facies (Naka et al.
1996). Association of phosphate with iron and manganese
deposits in the Sirban Member and the Hazira Formation
suggest that intense organic activity occurred on the shelf
(Shah and Moon 2004). Transgression and regression fluxes
caused the upwelling of anoxic to oxygenated water condi-
tions in the basin which was responsible for the formation of
iron and manganese deposits (Roy 1992). Well-exposed iron-
stone deposits in HB are found at the base of Shinwari and
Samana Suk formations. Iron deposits formed as residual
deposits sometime during the long hiatus from Cambrian to
Jurassic (Fig. 5c). Ironstone of oolitic nature is well developed
at the K-T boundary—the contact of the Kawagarh Formation
and the Lockhart Limestone (Fig. 9b). The ironstone is of
hematite and limonite types. It was formed by chemical pre-
cipitation (Yoshida et al. 1998) in shallow marine conditions
as suggested by its oolitic nature, which forms at high sea level
(Garzanti 1993). Beds of ironstones are upto 3 m thick. Coal-
bearing Chichali Formation has good exposures in section 4.
The deposition in anoxic conditions with high organic activity
on deltaic shelf provides feasible conditions to form coal.
Given the insufficiency of previous studies, it is urged here
to conduct detail work for exploration of the coal deposits of
the area.
Conclusions
Different geological aspects such as stratigraphy, sedimentary
environments, and major tectonic events of HB are presented
here to provide a better scenario for important mineral explo-
ration in the region. Sedimentary record reflects that HB
underwent a variety of environments ranging from deep ma-
rine, fluvioglacial, both carbonate and clastic shallow marine
and fluvial environments. Deep marine Hazara Formation is
capped by inner–outer shelf clastics of Tanawal Formation. A
glaciogenic Tanaki Boulder Bed grades upward into episodic
carbonate and clastic rich shallow marine Abbottabad Forma-
tion during Cambrian. After long nondepositional period, the
Jurassic succession of Shinwari and Samana Suk formations
were deposited in carbonate shelves. Shale- and marl-rich
Chichali Formation (Cretaceous) exhibits mixed deltaic-
shallow marine environments. Then a small siliciclastic rich
flux in the region can be recognized as Lumshiwal Formation,
which further grades vertically upward into inner–outer ramp
deposits of Kawagarh Formation. Lockhart Limestone of
Paleocene age shows deposition at carbonate plateform. Patala
Formation a pelagic/hemipelagic deposit is capped by carbon-
ate shelf succession of Margalla Hill Limestone (Eocene).
Eocene Chor Gali and Kuldana formations are representing
shallow marine to transitional environments respectively.
Murree Formation (Miocene) and Havelian group were
1666
formed in fluvial systems. These environments played an
important role in the formation of economic minerals for
instance anoxic deltaic shelf environments of the coal bearing
Chichali Formation, oxidation fluxes formed the ironstones
and anoxic shelf during transgression phase caused the for-
mation of phosphate. Stratigraphic and sedimentological
framework presented here are of prime importance for explo-
ration, e.g., different minerals lye on specific startigraphic
horizons, ironstones formed during nondepositional periods
like in Cambrian-Jurassic and Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary;
presence of phosphate in the Sirban Member and Hazira
Formation. The evolution of the HB from Precambrian to
Holocene was related to global and local tectonics caused by
formation and rifting of Rodina, Gondwana, Pangaea and
collision of India–Eurasia continents.
References
Ahmad I, Khan SD, Lapen T, Burke K, Jehan N (2013) Isotopic ages for
alkaline igneous rocks, including a 26 Ma ignimbrite, from the
Peshawar plain of northern Pakistan and their tectonic implications.
J Asian Earth Sci 62:414–424
Ahsan N (2008) Facies Modeling, Depositional and Diagenetic
Environments of Kawagarh Formation Hazara Basin Pakistan.
Unpublished Ph.D thesis. Punjab University Lahore Pakistan
235p
Ahsan N, Chaudhry MN (2008) Geology of Hettangian to Middle Eocene
rock of Hazara and Kashmir basin of northwest lesser Himalayas,
Pakistan. Geol Bull Punjab Univ 43:131–152
Ainardi R, Champetier Y (1976) Processus de formation d’intraclastes
par dessication en milieu margino-littoral; exemple dans le
«Purbeckien» du Jura. Bull Soc Géol France 718(1):159–164
Asif AU, Afzal M, Rehman U, Hussain S (2012) Microfacies analysis
and Depositional Environments of Kawagarh Formation Dungagali
Abbottabad, Pakistan. Unpublished BS thesis COMSATS Institute
of Information Technology Abbottabad 60p
As-Saruri MA, Sorkhabi R, Baraba R (2010) Sedimentary basins of
Yemen: their tectonic development and lithostratigraphic cover.
Arab J Geosci 3:515–527
Baig MS (1991) Chronology of pre-Himalayan and Himalayan tectonic
events, northwest Himalaya, Pakistan. Kashmir J Geol 8–9:197
Baig MS, Lawrence RD (1987) Precambrian to Early Paleozoic
Orogenesis in the Himalaya. Kashmir J Geol 5:1–21
Baksi AK, Barman TR, Paul DK, Farrar E (1987) Widespread Early
Cretaceous flood basalt volcanism in eastern India: geochemical
data from the Bengal Rajmahal Sylhet Traps. Chem Geol 63:133–
141
Bouma AH (1962) Sedimentology of some Flysch deposits: a graphic
approach to facies interpretation. Elsevier, Amsterdam, 168 p
Butt AA (1972) Problems of strarigraphic nomenclature in the Hazara
district NWFP Pakistan. Geol Bull Punjab Univ 9:65–69
Calkins JA, Offield TW, Abdullah SKM, Ali ST (1975) Geology of the
southern Himalaya in Hazara Pakistan and adjacent areas. U. S
Geological Survey Professional Paper 716-C: 1–29
Crawford AR, Davis RG (1975) Ages of the pre-Mesozoic formations of
the lesser Himalaya Hazara District, North Pakistan. Geol Mag 112:
509–514
Arab J Geosci (2015) 8:1653–1667
Danilchik W (1961) The iron formation of the Surghar and western Salt
Range, Mianwali District, West Pakistan. U. S Geological Survey
Professional Paper 424-D: 228–231
Davies LM (1930) The fossil fauna of the Samana Range and some
neighbouring areas; part I. An introductory note. Mem Geol Surv
India Palaeontol Ind New Ser 15:1–15
Davies LM, Pinfold ES (1937) The Eocene beds of the Punjab salt range.
Mem Geol Surv India Palaeontol Ind New Ser 24:1–79
DiPietro JA, Pouge K (2004) Tectonostratigraphic subdivisions of the
Himalaya: a view from the west. Tectonics 23, TC5001. doi:10.
1029/2003TC001554
Duppret L, Dissler E, Dore F, Gresselin F, Gall JE (1990) Cadomian
geodynamic evolution of the northeastern Armorican Massif In:
D’Lemos RS et al (eds) The Cadomian Orogeny. Geological
Society of London 115–131
Fatmi AN (1972) Lithostratigraphic units of Kohat-Potwar region: Report
of the Stratigraphic Committee of Pakistan with an introductory note
by Fatmi AN Secretary. Geological Survey of Pakistan Information
Release No. 46
Fatmi AN (1973) Lithostratigraphic units of the Kohat-Potwar Province
Indus Basin, Pakistan (Rept Strati Comm Pakistan). Mem Geol Surv
Pakistan 10:1–80
Fatmi AN (1977) Mesozoic. In: Ibrahim Shah SM (ed) Stratigraphy of
Pakistan. Geological Survey of Pakistan Memoir 12:29–56
Feistmantel O (1882) Note on remains of palm leaves from the (Tertiary)
Murree and Kasauli beds in India. India Geological Survey Records
15:51–53
Gardezi AH, Ghazanfar M (1965) A change of facies at the base of the
Jurassic in District Hazara, West Pakistan. Geol Bull Punjab Univ 5:
53–56
Garzanti E (1993) Himalayan ironstones “superplumes” and the breakup
of Gondwana. Geology 21:105–108
Hallam A, Maynard JB (1987) The iron ores and associated sediments of
the Chichali formation (Oxfordian to Valanginian) of the Trans-
Indus Salt Range, Pakistan. J Geol Soc Lond 144:107–114
Hottinger L (1974) Alveoloinids Cretaceous-Tertiary Larger Forams.
Esso Prod Res Europ Lab EPR-E-4 SP: 74:1–84
Katz MB (1979) India and Madagascar in Gondwanaland based on
matching Precambrian lineaments. Nature 279:312–315
Kazmi AH, Abbassi IA (2008) Stratigraphy and historical geology of
Pakistan. Department & NCE in Geology, University of Peshawar,
524p
Kazmi AH, Jan MQ (1997) Geology and tectonics of Pakistan. Graphic
Publishers, Karachi, 554p
Latif MA (1970) Explanatory notes on the geology of the southeastern
Hazara to accompany the revised geological map. Jahrb Geol
Bundesanst 15:25–61
Latif MA (1976) Stratigraphy and micropaleontology of the Galis group
of Hazara to accompany the revised geological map-Jahrab. Geol
Bull Punjab Univ 13:1–63
Latif MA, Yasin AR, Shafique NA, Ashraf M (1995) Late mesozoic
sedimentary megacycle in the rifted Haro Trough, Hazara, Pakistan
and its hydrocarbon implications in the Northern Rim of the North
West Himalayan Basin. J Hydrocarb Res 7–1:31–52
Le Fort P, Debon F, Sonet J (1980) The lesser Himalayan cordierite
granite belt topology and age of the pluton of Maneshra Pakistan.
Geol Bull Univ Peshawar 13:51–61
Marks P, Ali CM (1962) The Abbottabad formation: a new name for the
Middlemiss, Infra-Triassic deol. Geol Bull Punjab Univ 2:65
Munir HM, Baig MS (2005–2006) Upper Cretaceous of Hazara and
paleogene biostratigraphy of Azad Kashmir north west Himalayas
Pakistan. Geol Bull Punjab Univ 40–41:69–87
Naka T, Warraich MY, Hirayama J, Hassan S (1996) Stratigraphy and
structure of the Precambrian to Mesozoic, especially Mesozoic (?) to
lower Cambrian phosphate bearing formations, in Abbottabad,
Pakistan. Bull Geol Surv Jpn 47(11):549–575
Arab J Geosci (2015) 8:1653–1667
Nichols G (2009) Sedimentology and stratigraphy, 2nd edn. Wiley,
Blackwell, 432p
Paracha W (2004) Kohat plateau with reference to Himalayan tectonic
general study. CSEG recorder 46–52p
Pascoe EH (1959) Manual of geology India and Burma, vol. II. India
Govt Press, Calcutta, pp 484–1338
Pivnik DA (1998) Magnetostratigraphy and sedimentology of the hazara
intermontane basin, Pakistan. Geol Bull Univ Peshawar 21:85–104
Pogue KR, Hylland MD, Yeats RS, Khattak WU, Hussain A (1999)
Stratigraphic and structural framework of Himalayan foothills,
northern Pakistan. In: Macfarlane A, Sorkhabi RB, Quade J (eds)
Himalaya and Tibet: mountain roots to mountain tops. Geological
Society of America Special Paper 328: 257–274
Roy S (1992) Environments and processes of manganese deposition.
Econ Geol 87:1218–1236
Rushton AWA (1973) Cambrian fossils from the Hazara Shale Pakistan.
Nature 243:130–142
Sameeni SJ, Nazir N, Karm AA, Naz H (2009) Foraminiferal biostratig-
raphy and reconnaissance microfacies of paleocene Lockhart
Limestone of Jabri area Hazara northern Pakistan. Geol Bull
Punjab Univ 44:86–95
Searle MP, Khan MA (1996) Geological map of North Pakistan and
adjacent areas of Northern Ladakh and Western Tibet, scale 1:650,
000. Oxford University, Oxford
Seeber L, Armbruster JG, Quittmeyer RC (1981) Seismicity and conti-
nental subduction in the Himalayan arc. In: Gupta HK, Delany F
(eds) Zagros-Hindukush-Himalaya Geodynamic Evolution. Amer
Geophys Union Geodynamics Series 3: 215–242
Sengor AMC, Altiner D, Cin A, Ustaomer T, Hsu KJ (1988) Origin and
assembly of the Tethyside orogenic collage at the expense of
Gondwanaland. In: Audley-Charles MG, Hallam A (eds)
Gondwana and Tethys. Geological Society of London Special
Publications 37:81–119
Shah SMI (1977) Stratigraphy of Pakistan. Pak Geol Surv Mem 12:138
Shah MT, Moon CJ (2004) Mineralogy, geochemistry and genesis of the
ferromanganese ores from Hazara area NW Himalayas northern
Pakistan. J Asian Earth Sci 23:1–15
1667
Silva PI, Bolli HM (1973) Late Cretaceous to Eocene Planktonic forami-
nifera and stratigraphy of Leg 15 sites in the Caribbean Sea. In:
Edgar NT, Saunders JB et al (eds) Initial reports of the deep sea
drilling project 15. US Government Printing Press, Washington, DC,
pp 449–547
Tahirkheli RAK (1982) Geology of the Himalayas Karakoram and
Hindukush in Pakistan. Geol Bull Univ Peshawar 15:1–15
Tahirkheli RAK, Jan MQ (1979) A preliminary geological map of
Kohistan and the adjoining areas North Pakistan. Geological
Bulletin University of Peshawar 11
Umar M, Khan AS, Kelling G, Kassi AM (2011a) Depositional environ-
ments of Campanian–Maastrichtian successions in the Kirthar Fold
Belt Southwest Pakistan: tectonic influences on Late Cretaceous
sedimentation across the Indian Passive Margin. Sediment Geol
237:30–45
Umar M, Friis H, Khan AS, Kassi AM, Kasi AK (2011b) The effects of
diagenesis on the reservoir characters in sandstones of the Late
Cretaceous Pab Formation, Kirthar Fold Belt, southern Pakistan. J
Asian Earth Sci 40:622–635
Umar M, Friis H, Khan AS, Kelling G, Kassi AM, Sabir MA, Farooq M
(2013) Sediment composition and provenance of the Pab Formation,
Kirthar Fold Belt, Pakistan: signatures of hot spot volcanism, source
area weathering, and paleogeography on the western passive margin
of the Indian plate during the Late Cretaceous. Arab J Sci Eng. doi:
10.1007/s13369-013-0850-4
Van der Voo R, Spakman W, Bijwaard H (1999) Tethyan subducted slabs
under India. Earth Planet Sci Lett 171:7–20
Vildaya KS (1995) Proterozoic sedimentation and Pan-African
geodynamic development in the Himalaya. Precambrian Res 74:
35–55
Yoshida M, Khan IH, Ahmad MN (1998) Remanent magnetization of
oolitic ironstone beds Hazara area Lesser Himalayan thrust zone,
Northern Pakistan: its acquisition, timing, and paleoenvironmental
implications. Earth Planet Space 50:733–744
Zahid M, Ahmad S, Rehman G, Ali F (2009) Structural geometry of a
part of the southeastern Hazara Fold-Thrust Belt Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. Pak J Hydrocarb Res 19:19–28