An overview of tectonosedimentary framework of the Salt Range, northwestern Himalayan fold and thrust belt, Pakistan

Abstract

The Salt Range is the youngest and the most southern part of the western Himalayan Ranges in Pakistan. The oldest rocks that crop out are the Infra-Cambrian Salt Range Formation. The Salt Range Thrust separates the Infra-Cambrian from Proterozoic rocks, and deposits ranging in age from Infra-Cambrian to Recent are present in the Salt Range. A particular feature of the Salt Range is the presence of a thick salt sequence, and its distribution has affected thrust, normal, and reverse faults. The structural changes across the Salt Range area reflect a systematic variation in the stage of their tectonic development. These structural features are related to the presence of incompetent formations in the successions. The sedimentary record of the Salt Range is filled with thick Infra-Cambrian calcareous to siliciclastic sediments of the Indian Plate and relatively very thick Miocene-Pliocene mollassic deposits of the Indus foredeep. To better understand the relationship of the main tectonic features, these features of the Salt Range are marked on Landsat satellite imagery. Overall, structural interpretation associated with sedimentation styles permits the differentiation between the eastern, central, and western Salt Range.