LITHO-STRUCTURAL MAPPING USING REMOTE SENSING AND FIELD WORK TECHNIQUES: A CASE STUDY FROM CENTRAL SALT RANGE ARA, RAWAL AND SIDHANDI VILLAGE, PUNJAB PAKISTAN

Abstract

In the Central Salt Range lithological structural mapping has been a great challenge and of great interest to geologists as it is in rugged and inaccessible mountain terrain. In this paper a comprehensive lithological mapping conducted in the villages of Ara, Rawal and Sidhandi which are located in Central Salt Range region of Punjab, Pakistan. This study uses a combination of remote sensing techniques and field work to elucidate the geological and structural characteristics of the study area. Due to complex tectonic history and mineral resources Central Salt Range is of great geological interest. In this research we combined data from geological field observations and satellite images to produce detailed lithological and structural maps. Remote sensing data help to identify surface features and geological structures. These ground truth observations are complemented by extensive field work including geological mapping and structural analysis. Our work represent a diverse rock composition in the study area, including sedimentary rocks and various fault systems. We classify fault zones on basis of their characteristics, and our structural analysis provides insight into the fault history of the region. Moreover, the study discusses the implications of these geological features for understanding regional tectonics, potential mineral deposits, and land resources in the area. This work demonstrates the synergy between remote sensing techniques and fieldwork in understanding the geological complexities of the Central Salt Range. This work provides valuable information for geological mapping and risk assessment in the area. Additionally, this research demonstrates the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in geological investigations, emphasizing the importance of integrating remote sensing and field data to enhance our understanding of complex geological environments. Keywords: Litho-structural mapping, Remote sensing, Fieldwork techniques, Central Salt Range, Ara, Rawal, and Sidhandi villages, Punjab, Pakistan, Geological analysis, Satellite imagery, Structural mapping, Fault systems, Geological features, Tectonic history, Mineral resources, Sedimentary rocks, Deformation history