Kamlial Formation Research Articles

Provenance, diagenesis, and depositional environment of Miocene Kamlial Formation, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Sub Himalayas, Pakistan: Evidences from field observations and petrography

Petrographical characterization and field observations were caried out to evaluate Kamlial Formation in Bagh district, Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Based on detailed petrography, the lithic arenite consisted of quartz (20–25%), feldspar (7–11%), rock fragments (20–37%), cementing materials (11–21%), and accessory minerals. Grains are mostly angular to subrounded and poorly to moderately sorted. The analysis revealed that the lithic arenite is mineralogically immature; also, the current activity during the time of deposition was low. Polycrystalline quartz indicates that the sandstone was derived from metamorphic source, while monocrystalline quartz indicates a granitic origin. Quartz having an angular shape suggests the source rock was near the depositional site, while quartz having a rounded shape represents long transportation. The presence of feldspar in the lithic arenite suggests the rocks were deposited at high relief or cold temperatures. Primary porosity in sandstone was reduced by calcite cements around the grain, while secondary porosity was developed by fracturing of quartz and feldspar. Tectonic uplift in the study area was demonstrated by fractured quartz and mica in thin sections. Field observations of various sedimentary structures were observed such as load casts, ripple marks, and mud cracks, etc. The presence of conglomerates and load casts in the study area indicates that the Kamlial sandstone was deposited by fluvial and shallow marine environment. Furthermore, the ripple marks indicate that the tidal flat environment controlled the deposition of the sediments.

Structural and Stratigraphic Study of Hazara-Kashmir Syntaxis with the Aid of Geographic Information System and Field Data Approach

Abstract This research area is located along the Hazara-Kashmir Syntaxis in the sub-Himalaya. The Hazara-Kashmir Syntaxis runs through numerous areas within Mirpur district. One of the key characteristics of the Hazara-Kashmir Syntaxis is its antiformality. The project area is bounded to the east by the Riasi fault and to the west by the Jhelum fault, while to the south it is bounded by Salt Range Thrust. Research is being conducted in the areas of Narmah, Sahan, Pirgali, Kas Guma, Mohra Jangu, and Kalri. Fold-and-thrust belts are present in the sub-Himalayan region ofPakistan. Essentially, there are two major folds: the Sahan syncline and the Gaiyan anticline. The Sahan syncline is characterized by an open fold and a southwest orientation. In contrast, open-to-close folds in Gaiyan anticlines are oriented to the southwest. The area is characterized by five major faults: the Narmah fault, the Dhok Poran fault, the Dubal fault, the Pirgali fault, and the Jabi fault. Folds and faults in the project area are the product of NE-SW or NW-SE compaction of the Himalaya. In the research project area sedimentary rocks of Early Miocene- Recent age are located. The rocks which are exposed in the study area includes: the Early-Middle Miocene Kamlial Formation, Middle-Late Miocene Chinji Formation, Late-Miocene Nagri Formation, Late-Miocene Dhok Pathan Formation, Pliocene Soan Formation, and Quaternary Alluvium deposits. Sedimentary structures in the area consist primarily of crossed bedding and rip-ups. These structures define the facing of stratigraphic units.

Petrology and Petrographic Delineation of Kamlial Formation Sandstone Mong and Thorar Village, Northern Pakistan

Petrology and Petrographic Delineation of Kamlial Formation Sandstone Mong and Thorar Village, Northern Pakistan

EVALUATION OF GEOTECHNICAL PROPERTIES AND PETROGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF SANDSTONE, BAGH AREA, AZAD JAMMU AND KASHMIR, PAKISTAN

Sandstones are abundant in the regions of Azad Jammu and Kashmir in northeastern Pakistan. However, physio-mechanical data for project planning and construction of these sandstones, which serve as aggregates and foundations for a variety of infrastructures, are lacking. This research aims to investigate the petrographic and physio-mechanical characteristics of Murree and Kamlial Formation sandstones in the Rawalpindi group. The physio-mechanical parameters included specific gravity, water absorption, unconfined compressive strength (UCS), slake durability, Ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), and Brazilian. The findings suggest that the sandstone of the Murree and Kamlial formations can be classified as construction-grade rocks. A comprehensive analysis of physico-mechanical observations of these sandstones shows a statistically significant correlation with point load index, Brazilian tensile strength, and UPV in a saturated condition against unconfined compression strength (UCS). Whereas the specific gravity, water absorption, slake durability index, and UPV in dry conditions found no statistically significant correlation against UCS. By rigorous petrographic research, the texture of quartz %, mineralogy and mineral alteration, the existence of micro-fractures, and mineral size distribution all contribute to the total strength qualities of these sandstones. To comprehend the suitability of Muree and Kamlial Formation sandstones, physio-mechanical characteristics were then correlated with the sequence (Murree sandstone) exposed at the Jena Kor village in Peshawar Basin. Based on the results, the sandstones of the Murree and Kamlial Formations in the study area are found appropriate for construction.

First U-Pb Detrital Zircon Ages from Kamlial Formation (Kashmir, Pakistan): Tectonic Implications for Himalayan Exhumation

This study reports the first-ever detrital zircon provenance investigation of sandstones of the Kamlial Formation, exposed in Kashmir Basin along the Kohala–Bagh road section (Muzaffarabad, Pakistan). Analysis of probability density plots of detrital U-Pb zircon ages displayed a major age population clustered around ≈400–1200 Ma and a minor age population clustered around ≈1600–1900 Ma. In addition, scattered ages existed between ≈2000 and 3000 Ma. This age pattern resembled strongly the Himalayan sources, including the Tethys Himalaya, Greater/Higher Himalaya, and Lesser Himalaya. The younger ages (<150 Ma) present in the studied samples indicated the Asian provenance. The Lesser Himalayan component (≈166–1900 Ma) was more pronounced in the 2015KM03 and 2015KM04 samples, representing the middle to the upper portion of the formation. The recycled orogen provenance of the Kamlial Formation as deduced from the sandstone petrography supports the mixed detrital zircon provenance. Considering the provenance, we propose a tectonic model that suggests that large-scale exhumation occurred in the Himalaya as a result of Panjal thrust activation during 25–14 Ma (age of Kamlial Formation), which uplifted the hinterland zone that acted as a source area that fed the foreland basin, where the Kamlial Formation deposited.

PETROGRAPHIC AND PROVENANCE OF THE SANDSTONE OF RAWALPINDI GROUP IN LESSER HIMALAYAS

In the present work, we deal with the petrographic and provenance of the sandstone of the Rawalpindi group in the lesser Himalayas. The formations present in the project area are Murree and Kamlial Formations of the Rawalpindi group. The petrological studies of Murree and Kamlial Formations determine the minerals composition prospect, which minerals have high proportion and which one is less proportion. Which aim to determine the petrological characteristic of these rock formations for the use of scientific studies or in engineering projects. Both of these two formations are Siwalik molasse deposits, the same orogeny correlation, same age from the same group. Determine the difference in such kind of similar rock formations are very important and also challenge in the field of geology. With highly advance petrographically analysis, it shows that Kamlial formation consists of heavy minerals such as garnet, tourmaline, etc., as compared with Murree formation consists of light minerals such as quartzite, Felice and feldspar, etc. And the provenance analysis of the sandstone of the Rawalpindi group is performed by the QFL ternary diagrams method. All the plots in the QFL diagram plot on recycled orogeny provenance field.

Sedimentology and Stratigraphic Evolution of the Early Eocene Nammal Formation, Salt Range, Pakistan

The Early Eocene succession of the Salt Range from base to top comprises the Nammal Formation, Sakesar Limestone and Chor Gali Formation. The Nammal Formation of Ypresian age is well exposed throughout the Salt Range. Detailed sedimentological and palaeontological analyses of the Nammal Formation were carried out, based on six stratigraphically important measured sections in the Salt Range. Lithologically, the formation is predominantly composed of interbedded nodular limestone, marl and shale. Wackestone, packstone, wackestone to packstone, dolomitic limestone and grainstone facies dominate the Nammal Formation in a fine-grained bioclastic matrix with abundant grains of larger benthic foraminifera. The diagnostic larger benthic foraminifera are recorded, which includes Nummulites mamillatus, Assilina spinosa, Assilina subspinosa, Assilina granulosa, Assilina laminosa, Discocyclina dispansa, Alveolina dolioliformis, Alveolina pasticillata, Alveolina globula, Lockhartia tipperi, and Lockhartia conditi. Stable carbon and oxygen isotopic signatures of the Nammal Formation designate shallow marine depositional environment. During Eocene a carbonate sequence developed in the Salt Range, lower boundary of which is marked as SB-II at the base of the Nammal Formation overlying the Palaeocene Patala Formation. The Nammal Formation presents the retrogradational facies suggesting the transgressive system tracts. The Sakesar Limestone shows agradational to progradational pattern of facies, which developed in highstand system tracts. The Chor Gali Formation possesses shallowing-upward trend by forming progradational shift of facies, and represents the falling stage system tracts. Early Eocene carbonate sequence is terminated by a regional sub-aerial unconformity SB-I marked between marine carbonate sequence of the Chor Gali Formation and the overlying non-marine clastic Miocene Kamlial Formation. Overall, the Nammal Formation presents shallow water neritic carbonate deposits containing larger benthic foraminifers.

Structure and Stratigraphy of Rumbli and Panjar Areas of Kashmir and Pakistan with the Aid of GIS

ABSTRACT The project area lies in the southern part of the Hazara Kashmir syntaxis. The Hazara Kashmir syntaxis is an antiformal structure. The project area includes Rumbli, Namb, Chatrora, Chachan, Panjar, Barathian and Utrinna areas of Rawalpindi and Sudhnoti districts. The southeastern limb of the Hazara Kashmir syntaxis is imbricated along Punjal thrust, Main Boundary thrust and Riasi fault. The Jhelum fault truncates the western limb of Hazara Kashmir syntaxis. The core of syntaxis comprises of Himalayan molasse deposits. These molasse deposits represent the part of cover sequence of Indian plate. These Himalayan molasse deposits include the Early to Middle Miocene Kamlial Formation, Middle to Late Miocene Chinji Formation, Late Miocene Nagri Formation and Late Miocene Dhok Pathan Formation. The area is highly deformed resulting folds and faults. The major folds in the project area are the Panjar anticline, Barathian syncline, Barathian anticline, Rumbli anticline, Chatrora antiformal syncline and Namb syncline. The folds are either northwest-southeast trending or southwest-northeast trending. The folds are asymmetric, open, and gentle and close in nature. The folds are southwest, northeast or southeast vergent. The Jhelum fault truncates the northeast and northwest trending structures. The folds and faults are the result of northeast-southwest or northwest-southeast Himalayan compression.

The Geology And Structure of Neogene Rocks in Dadyaland Adjacent Areas, in The Sub-Himalayas, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan

The project area lies along the western limb of the Hazara Kashmir Syntaxis. The Hazara Kashmir Syntaxis is an antiformal structure. The project area includes Dadyal, Bihari, Ratta, Sammorthala, Samlotha, Dhingar, Panwar and Karara Saiyidan. The Late Miocene to Recent Himalayan Neogene rocks are exposed in the core of the syntaxis. These Neogene rocks include the Kamlial Formation, Chinji Formation, Nagri Formation, Dhok Pathan Formation, Soan Formation and Recent alluvium. The major folds in the project area include the Mirpur syncline, Pheran Dinpur anticline and Sadaqabad Syncline. The folds are northwest-southeast trending and southwest or northeast vergent, asymmetric and open. The only fault in the project area is Ratta Fault. The Ratta Fault is a reverse fault. The northwest southeast trending folds and faults are the result of northeast southwest Himalayan compression in the area.

Progiraffa (Artiodactyla: Ruminantia: Giraffidae) from the Lower Siwalik Subgroup (Miocene) of Pakistan

Aftab, K., Khan, M.A., Ahmad, Z. & Akhtar, M., February 2016. Progiraffa (Artiodactyla: Ruminantia: Giraffidae) from the Lower Siwalik Subgroup (Miocene) of Pakistan. Alcheringa 40, xxx–xxx. ISSN 0311-5518Previously, Progiraffa exigua has been reported only from the Kamlial Formation (ca 18.3–14.2 Ma) of the Siwalik Group. We record Progiraffa exigua from the Lower Siwalik Subgroup at five localities: Jaba, Chinji Rest House, Rakh Wasnal, Dhok Bun Amir Khatoon and Ghungrila, Pakistan, thus extending the range of P. exigua to the Chinji Formation of the Siwalik Group (ca 14.2–11.2 Ma).Kiran Aftab [kiranaftab2012@gmail.com], Zaheer Ahmad [dr.zaheerahmed11@yahoo.com], Zoology Department, GC University, Lahore, Pakistan; Muhammad Akbar Khan [akbaar111@yahoo.ca], Muhammad Akhtar [drakhtarfdrc@hotmail.com], Dr Abu Bakr Fossil Display & Research Centre, Zoology Department, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.

Petrography and geochemistry of the Kamlial Formation, southwestern Kohat plateau, Pakistan: implications for paleoclimate of the Western Himalayas

The Middle to Late Miocene Kamlial Formation that largely consists of sandstone and interbedded clay/mudstone sequences is exposed in the southwestern part of the Kohat plateau, which constitutes the westernmost extension of the Himalayan Foreland Basin. Whereas the sandstone is gray to brownish gray, fine- to medium-grained, and mostly thick-bedded, the interbedded clay/mudstone sequence is brownish gray to maroon red and occurs as continuous beds as well as lenses. Some mudstone/clay beds are bioturbated and seem to be pedogenic surfaces. Results of geochemical investigation of fresh (unaltered) representative sandstone and mudstone samples from three different sections of the formation in the southwestern Kohat plateau are presented and discussed. The average chemical index of alteration (CIA) values of both the sandstone (70-86) and mudstone (71-85) suggest moderate to slightly intense weathering in the source area. However, the high CIA values may also be due to the presence of abundant sedimentary rock fragments, which occur in the studied sandstone, rather than a result of severe weathering. Furthermore, the possibility of intensive chemical weathering in the Himalayas orogenic belt is highly unlikely, as it requires tectonic quiescence for a long period, higher temperature, and humidity. Accordingly, the range of the index of chemical variability values (0.6-2.1) of mudstone and low contents of Rb and Cs in both the mudstone and sandstone indicate somewhat moderate weathering. Furthermore, the Th/U and Rb/Sr ratios of the Kamlial Formation are lower than the corresponding average values for the upper continental crust and post-Archean average Australian shale, which shows that these sediments are first-cycled in origin. However, the Zr/Sc ratio indicates minor contributions from recycled sedimentary sources. The values of authigenic U and the U/Th, V/Cr, Cu/Zn, and Ni/Co ratios all suggest that the Kamlial sediments were deposited under oxidizing conditions.

New Alicornops (Rhinocerotidae) remains from Lower and Middle Siwaliks, Pakistan

Unpublished rhinocerotid remains from the Lower and Middle Siwaliks of Pakistan are described in this paper and recognized as two species of Alicornops. Alicornops complanatum (Heissig) is identified in the Dhok Pathan Formation of the Middle Siwaliks and Alicornops laogouense Deng in the Kamlial Formation of the Lower Siwaliks. The Dhok Pathan Formation levels with A. complanatum are roughly correlated with the late Miocene-Pliocene European mammal zones MN10-15. In turn, levels with A. laogouense of the Kamlial Formation would correlate with the middle–late Aragonian (middle Miocene) European MN5. The recognition of the Chinese species A. laogouense in the Potwar Plateau represents the first discovery of this taxon in Pakistan and increases the geographical and stratigraphic distributions of this species, and adds to the rhinocerotid association from the Siwaliks. In turn, the presence of A. complanatum in the Siwaliks of Potwar Plateau also enlarges its geographic distribution in Pakistan, as it was previously known from the Bugti Hills of Balouchistan. The absence of Alicornops from the Siwaliks in the Chinji and Nagri formations (between late MN5 and MN9 zones) might be due to an inadequate fossil record, as other rhinocerotid species are known from Kamlial to Dhok Pathan formations. However, the two recorded species of Alicornops could also reveal two independent migration waves as supported by the appearance of other taxa in different formations. A summary of fossil Cenozoic rhinocerotids from different areas of Pakistan is also presented.

Indoor radon concentration, outdoor gamma dose rates and impact of geology in the Dhirkot area, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, sub-Himalayas, Pakistan

The sedimentary sandstone and clay sequence of the Miocene Kamlial and Murree Formations is exposed in the sub-Himalayas of the Dhirkot area, State of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. The indoor radon and outdoor gamma dose rates were measured from dwellings and basement sandstone and clay rocks, respectively. The radon concentration in dwellings was 36 ± 14 Bq.m -3 to 195 ± 27 Bq.m -3 , with an average of 121 ± 26 Bq.m -3 . The average radon concentration in pucka, semi-kucha and kucha houses was 124 ± 25 Bq.m -3 , 143 ± 25 Bq.m -3 and 136 ± 26 Bq.m -3 , respectively. The outdoor gamma dose rates for the basement sandstones and clays of the Murree Formation and Kamlial Formation were 74.0 ± 1.4-113.1 ± 2.4 nGy/h and 69.6 ± 2.2-108.8 ± 1.4 nGy/h, respectively. The average gamma dose rates for the Murree and Kamlial Formations were 91.3 ± 14.3 nGy/h. The gamma dose rate is maximum (113.1 ± 2.4 nGy/h) and minimum (69.6 ± 2.2 nGy/h) at higher (5 539 feet) and lower (4 493 feet) altitudes, respectively. The overall causes for the increase in average radon concentration in dwellings of the Dhirkot area were poor ventilation, old houses, humidity and temperature, cracks in houses, geology, and aggregates. The gamma dose rate variation depends on sandstone and clay lithologies, altitude and radionuclide contributions. This study shows that the average radon (121 ± 26 Bq.m -3 ) concentration for the inhabitants of the Dhirkot area was within the accepted safe health limit (200 Bq.m -3 , ICRP, 1993; UNSCEAR, 1993).

Middle Miocene pedological record of monsoonal climate from NW Himalaya (Jammu & Kashmir State), India

The Lower Siwalik Subgroup represented by the Dodenal (Kamlial Formation) and Ramnagar Members (Chinji Formation) is well exposed at Ramnagar, District Udhampur, Jammu & Kashmir State. The Ramnagar Member consists of an alternating sequence of silt and mudstone formed under crevasse-splay and flood-plain environments of deposition. Argillisol and gleysol soils are developed on the Ramnagar Member deposits. Argillisols formed under well-drained conditions at high levels, whereas gleysols formed under poorly drained conditions at low levels of the palaeo-landscape. Geochemical and micromorphological studies of the Ramnagar Member palaeosols suggest formation under wet and humid climatic conditions. Early uplift of the Tibetan Plateau/Himalaya resulted in a contemporaneous change in precipitation and monsoonal climate conditions within the Indian region beginning in Middle Miocene.

Early-Middle Miocene paleodrainage and tectonics in the Pakistan Himalaya

The 18–14 Ma Kamlial Formation Himalayan foreland basin sedimentary rocks in the Chinji Village region, Potwar Plateau, Pakistan, are characterized by: (1) lithofacies indicative of deposition by a large river; (2) a dominant magmatic arc provenance completely unlike the ‘recycled orogen’ foreland basin deposits stratigraphically below, above, or coeval with these rocks; and (3) subordinate contribution from a rapidly exhuming source, interpreted as either the Nanga Parbat Haramosh Massif or the southern margin of the Asian crust. The start of Kamlial Formation deposition at this locality at 18 Ma marks a major break with the older Murree Formation rocks, which were deposited by rivers draining predominantly the Himalayan thrust stack south of the arc. We interpret this change as the result of diversion of the paleo-Indus River to its present position, which crosses the Kohistan arc and Himalayas and debouches into the foreland. If the rapidly exhuming subordinate source region were the Nanga Parbat Haramosh Massif, then initiation of its uplift would have resulted in significant arc detritus to the basin as the overlying arc carapace was exhumed. As the carapace was progressively breached, arc material would have become a less substantial component of detritus to the basin, consistent with the reported petrography of the overlying Siwalik deposits.

Lithostratigraphy and vertebrate biostratigraphy of the early Miocene Himalayan Foreland, Zinda Pir Dome, Pakistan

Deposits in the Sulaiman foothills and Zinda Pir Dome in west-central Pakistan provide new insight into the critical early Miocene record of Himalayan Foreland sedimentation and paleobiology. The Chitarwata Formation, which underlies the Vihowa Formation in the Sulaiman foothills predates the Siwalik deposits on the Potwar Plateau of north-central Pakistan and provides a record of mammals spanning the interval between the early Miocene Bugti fauna and middle Miocene to Pleistocene Siwalik faunas. Siwalik deposits on the Potwar Plateau are no older than middle Miocene; they represent fluvial environments. In contrast, the Chitarwata and Lower Vihowa Formations in the Zinda Pir Dome represent coastal-delta plain and fluvial environments, respectively. Biostratigraphic information from the Chitarwata Formation, coupled with paleomagnetic data (reported by Friedman et al., 1992) from coincident strata, suggest that coastal environments persisted in the area of the Sulaiman foothills until about 18.6 Ma when they were replaced by fluvial environments, probably representing the ancestral Indus River system. Apparently, during the early Miocene when sediments of the Chitarwata Formation were accumulating on the western portion of the Himalayan Foreland Basin much of the area of the Potwar Plateau to the north was being eroded. The overlying Vihowa Formation, along with the relatively contemporaneous Kamlial Formation on the Potwar Plateau, represent the appearance of widespread terrestrial sedimentation in the Himalayan Foreland Basin.

An early middle miocene catarrhine from Pakistan with comments on the dispersal of catarrhines into Eurasia

An isolated catarrhine primate molar from the Kamlial Formation of northern Pakistan is shown by magnetic polarity stratigraphy to be 16·1 My old, making it the oldest securely dated catarrhine in Eurasia. It is most similar to small catarrhines from East Africa and China, particularly Micropithecus Fleagle and Simons, 1978 , and Dionysopithecus Li, 1978 . It is distinctly different from European pliopithecids, suggesting that the dispersal of catarrhines into Europe and Asia, while broadly contemporaneous, took place in the context of at least partly independent immigration events. In terms of morphology, the specimen sheds no more light on the ancestry of gibbons than do other small early Miocene catarrhines with a phenetic resemblance to gibbons. However, as part of the Siwalik Miocene provincial fauna which has clear affinities with the modern fauna of Southeast Asia, it is perhaps a more likely candidate for gibbon ancestry than other purported gibbon ancestors.

Paleomagnetic Chronology, Fluvial Processes, and Tectonic Implications of the Siwalik Deposits near Chinji Village, Pakistan

A 2800-m section of Siwalik strata containing the stratotypes for both the Chinji and Nagri formations has been dated by magnetic polarity stratigraphy, and the observed polarity zonation has securely been correlated with the Chron 17-7 segment of the time scale. The base of the section is the base of the Kamlial formation, which occurs near the top of Chron 17 (18.3 m.y.). The Kamlial-Chinji formation boundary occurs in the middle of Chron 15 (14.3 m.y.), the Chinji-Nagri boundary near the bottom of Chron 10 (10.8 m.y.), and the Nagri-Dhok Pathan boundary at the Chron 8-9 boundary (8.5 m.y.). The Siwalik deposits near Chinji Village consist of four distinct classes of fluvial cycles, each with a characteristic periodicity: a first order of , and a fourth order of . The river system responsible for Siwalik sedimentation flowed from west to east and had properties much like the modern Ganges River system. Sedimentation rates in the Chinji Village area increased gradually through time, going from 0.12 mm/yr in the Lower Siwaliks to 0.30 mm/yr in the Middle Siwaliks. At about 11 m.y. blue-green hornblendes suddenly appear in abundance in channel sands. The appearance of these hornblendes, accompanied with accelerated sedimentation, is the effect of uplift in the source area, specifically the Nanga Parbat region. The modern Chinji Village area is no longer a depositional site, but instead is involved in overthrusting, uplift, and erosion. As the Indian Plate has drifted north during the past 18 m.y., the Chinji Village area has been gradually transformed from a subdued karst topography into a major depositional center for Himalayan sediments and finally back into a sediment source area to complete a sedimentary cycle that has spanned some 20 m.y.