Table Of Content

CHAPTER 1 Page No

1.1 Acknowledgment Page 2

1.2 Abstract Page 2
1.3 Introduction Page 2
1.4 Field Objectives Page 3
1.5 Geography Page 3
1.6 Our Aims Page 3
1.7 Statigraphic Column of Field Page 4

CHAPTER 2

2.1 General Information of field. Page 5 - 10

2.2 Station # 1 Page 10
2.3 Manshera Granite Page 11
2.4 Station # 2 Page 12
2.4 Hazara Formation Page 12
2.5 Tanawal Formation Page 13
2.6 Station # 3 Yadgar Secton Page 14
2.7 Muzaffrabad Formation Page 14 - 15
2.8 Hangu Formation Page 16 - 17
2.9 Lockhart Limestone Page 17 - 18

CHAPTER 3

3.0 Station # 4 Jeelam Jehlum Dam Page 19

3.1 Panjal Volcanic Group Page 19 - 21
3.2 Station # 5 Marble in Neelam Valley Page 22
3.3 Nasueri Marble Kashmir Page 22 - 23
3.4 Station # 6 Page 23
3.5 Shardah Group Page 23 - 24
3.6 Station # 7 Shardah Formation Page 24 - 25
3.7 Conclusion Page 25

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 1.1 ACKNOWLEDGMENT
We want to express my sincere gratitude to our respected instructors Dr. Amjad Ali
Bukhari, Dr. Mohammad Qasim and Ma'am Adeela Mazhar for sharing their time
and expertise with us on the field, which allowed us to produce this report. We are
also grateful to the Earth science department of COMSATS ISLAMABAD
(ABBOTABAD CAMPUS), which assisted in organizing our field excursion.

1.2 ABSTRACT
This field trip's goal was to investigate the geology of the Kashmir Division.
Structure-wise, this region is quite important. This area has a complex structure as a
result of its intense tectonics. This area is also subject to metamorphism, and as we
proceed northward, the degree of metamorphism increases near the suture zone. The
surroundings around Abbottabad were investigated for several Formations. The
formations that were examined. Strike and dip drills were also carried out in the field.
On this field trip, we encounter a variety of features, including faults and folds. Both
fundamental (bedding) and secondary (calcite veins) architecture were distinct.

1.3 INTRODUCTION
Field work is the core of understanding, the geological processes and geological data
collection for geological history interpretation. In each semester department of Earth
Sciences arrange field trip for students of Earth Sciences department to understand
the natural processes occurring in the region and to familiarize them with field
exposures. The area was easily accessible for field on a local transport and this area is
called Museum of geology because of its best exposure. In this area whole sequence
is exposed from Precambrian to recent. We went to the field over private transport.
We have been amazingly fortunate to have an advisor who gave us his best
knowledge. At very first day we went through Abbottabad and stop at McDonalds.

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 Next day we visitied the area of from Neelam Valley to Shardah. 3rd day we visit the
area of Shardah to Arang Khel on Last day we visitied the area of Arang Khel to
Muzaffrabad.

1.4 FIELD OBJECTIVES

Geology is a tremendously broad field, and much work may be done on each and
every part of it. Therefore, in order to stay to our purpose, we must specify our field
objective because, in the allotted time, we must gather as much information as
possible.
Our field's main goal was to become familiar with the regionally established
fundamental structures. The process of identifying minerals and rocks. We come
across rocks of all three fundamental types: igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary.
Applying field geological expertise in the field was one of the goals of our field.
The Brunton compass, a hand lens, and a geological hammer are required field tools.
Briefing notes from the field guide. For measuring, we also use a mobile app.

1.5 GEOGRAPHY
Sarban hills surround Abbottabad city. South of Abbottabad is where you'll find
River Dor. Abbottabad's district Mansehra is in the north, Muzaffarabad is in the east,
Haripur is in the west, and Rawalpindi is in the south.

1.6 OUR AIMS

 Understanding the local geology, Morphology or stratigraphy.
 Significant deformational features from the first point northward.
 Determining various lithology’s and rock units.
 Folds and faults field identification.
 Acquiring skills in Brenton compass use to identify strata-based attitudes.

1.7 STRATIGRAPHIC COLUMN OF THE FIELD AREA:

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 2. D AY 1

2.1 GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT

FIELD

2.1.1 WHAT IS FAULT

A fault is a fracture or zone of fractures between two blocks of rock. Faults allow
the blocks to move relative to each other. This movement may occur rapidly, in the
form of an earthquake - or may occur slowly, in the form of creep.

TYPES OF FAULTS

Normal fault—the block above the inclined fault moves down relative to the
block below the fault. This fault motion is caused by extensional forces and results
in extension. [Other names: normal-slip fault, tensional fault or gravity fault]

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Examples include Basin & Range faults.

Reverse fault—the block above the inclined fault moves up relative to the block
below the fault. This fault motion is caused by compressional forces and results

2.1.2 FOLDS
A fold is a geologic structure that is formed by layers or beds of rock being bent or
folded. The plane that marks the center of the fold is called the axial plane. The line
which marks where the axial plane intersects the surface of Earth is called the hinge
line.

Types of Folds
Anticline: linear, strata normally dip away from axial center, oldest strata in center.
Syncline: linear, strata normally dip toward axial center, youngest strata in center.
Antiform: linear, strata dip away from axial center, age unknown, or inverted.
Synform: linear, strata dip toward axial centre, age unknown, or inverted.
Dome: nonlinear, strata dip away from center in all directions, oldest strata in center.
Basin: nonlinear, strata dip toward center in all directions, youngest strata in center.
Monocline: linear, strata dip in one direction between horizontal layers on each side.
Chevron: angular fold with straight limbs and small hinges
Recumbent: linear, fold axial plane oriented at low angle resulting in overturned
strata in one limb of the fold.

2.1.3 TYPES OF DEPOSITS

Alluvium (River Deposits):
Alluvium is loose, unconsolidated (not cemented together into a solid rock) soil or
sediment that has been eroded, reshaped by water in some form, and redeposited in a
non-marine setting. Alluvium is typically made up of a variety of materials, including
fine particles of silt and clay and larger particles of sand and gravel. When this loose

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alluvial material is deposited or cemented into a lithological unit, or lithified, it is
called an alluvial deposit.
Colluvium (Gravity Deposits):
Colluvium (also colluvial material or colluvial soil) is a general name for loose,
unconsolidated sediments that have been deposited at the base of hillslopes by either
rainwash, sheetwash, slow continuous downslope creep, or a variable combination of
these processes.

2.1.4 LITHOLOGICAL SYMBOLS

2.1.5 Metamorphism
Any type of rock—igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic—can become a
metamorphic rock. All that is needed is enough heat and/or pressure to alter the

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existing rock’s physical or chemical makeup without melting the rock entirely.

Process of Metamorphism

Metamorphic rocks are often squished, smeared out, and folded. Despite these
uncomfortable conditions, metamorphic rocks do not get hot enough to melt, or
they would become igneous rocks!

Common Metamorphic Rocks

Common metamorphic rocks include phyllite, schist, gneiss, quartzite and

marble.

Types Metamorphic Rocks

Foliated Metamorphic Rocks
some kinds of metamorphic rocks -- granite gneiss and biotite schist are two
examples -- are strongly banded or foliated. (Foliated means the parallel
arrangement of certain mineral grains that gives the rock a striped appearance.)
Foliation forms when pressure squeezes the flat or elongate minerals within a
rock so they become aligned. These rocks develop a platy or sheet-like
structure that reflects the direction that pressure was applied.

Non-Foliated Metamorphic Rocks

Non-foliated metamorphic rocks do not have a platy or sheet-like structure.
There are several ways that non-foliated rocks can be produced. Some rocks,
such as limestone are made of minerals that are not flat or elongate. No matter
how much pressure you apply, the grains will not align! Another type of
metamorphism, contact metamorphism, occurs when hot igneous rock intrudes
into some pre-existing rock. The pre-existing rock is essentially baked by the
heat, changing the mineral structure of the rock without addition of pressure.

Types of metamorphism
The two main types of metamorphism are both related to heat within Earth:

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 1. Regional metamorphism: Changes in enormous quantities of rock over
a wide area caused by the extreme pressure from overlying rock or from
compression caused by geologic processes. Deep burial exposes the rock
to high temperatures.
2. Contact metamorphism: Changes in a rock that is in contact with
magma because of the magma’s extreme heat.

Factors that Control Metamorphism

The reason rocks undergo metamorphism is that the minerals in a rock are only
stable under a limited range of pressure, temperature, and chemical conditions.
When rocks are subjected to large enough changes in these factors, the
minerals will undergo chemical reactions that result in their replacement by new
minerals, minerals that are stable in the new conditions.

2.1.6 TYPES OF STYLOLITES

DEPOSITIONAL STYLOLITES They are always paralllel to bedding plane.

TECTONIC STYLOLITES They are always inclined to bedding plane.

DIP & STRIKE PRACTICE

DIP

Dip is the angle at which a planar feature is inclined to the horizontal plane; it is
measured in a vertical plane perpendicular to the strike of the feature.

STRIKE

Strike refers to the line formed by the intersection of a horizontal plane and an inclined surface.

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BRUNTON COMPASS

A Brunton Compass is a specialized instrument used widely by those needing to

make an accurate degree and angle measurements in the field.

2.2 Station # 1

2.3 MANSHERA GRANITE (Continental Granite)

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NAME

The name "Mansehra Granite" was given by Shams (1961, p. 59) to the non-
foliated granite found locally in and around Mansehra village. It is a sheet like
body with and accurate appearance. The granite is in contact with meta-
sedimentary rocks with a gradation in the north and North West while a small
part about against the Hackle granite.

MINEROLOGY

QAP: Quartzite, Alkali feldspar, and plagioclase is present in this granite.

Manshera Granite

TEXTURE

Based on the doloritic dike due to MBT- oogi shearing zone, sosal gali granite is
deformed and manshera granite is formed.

AGE

Manshera granite is 516 million years old and Tanawal is of Precambrian age
and between these other doloritic dikes are present which are younger.

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2.4 Station # 2
LOHAR GALI (Batrasi to Lohar Gali - Hazara Slate and Tanawal
Formation)

HAZARA FORMATION
Name
Marks and Ali (1961) have given several names to this formation including "Slate
scries of Hazara" by Middlemiss (1896) and "Hazara Slates Formation". Prior to
these names, Waagen and Wynne (1879) described them as "Attock Slates".
Calkins ct al., (1969) named it "Hazara Formation".

AGE Late Precambrian age

Hazara Slate

LITHOLOGY
The Hazara Formation consists of slate, phyllitc and shale with minor
occurrences of limestone and graphite layers. Slate and phyllite are green to
dark green and black, but are rusty brown and dark green on weathered surface.
Some thick bedded, fine- to medium-grained sandstone is also present.
Limestone beds with maximum thickness of 150 m and a sequence of

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calcareous phyllite and gypsum ranging from 30 to 120 m thick are found in
southern-most Hazara.

2.5 TANAWAL FORMATION

NAME
Wynne (1879b) described the rocks of this formation as "Tanol group". Middlcmiss
(1896) called them "Tanol quartzite" and believed that they formed the lower part of the
over lying 'Infra-Trias' (see Abbottabad Formation). Marks and Ali (1962) and Latif
(1970) named them "Tanol formation"; Calkins et al. (1969) made a detailed study and
used the name Tanawal Formation for this unit ofrocks.

AGE:
Pre-Cambrian

Tanawal Quartzite

LITHOLOGY
Tanawal Formation consists mainly of quartzose schist, quartzitc and schistose
conglomerate. To the South of the 'Mansehra Granite', the Tanawal Formation mainly
consists of medium-grained quartzite and fine-grained mica-quartz schist.

THICKNESS

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The thickness of the Tanawal Formation is dificult to measure due to structural
complications.

2.6 STATION # 3
YADGAR Section (Muzaffrabad Formation, Hangu
Formation Coal and lockhart Limestone)

2.7 Muzaffarabad Formation

Name
The Muzaffarabad Formation derives its name from the city of Muzaffarabad, the
capital of Azad Jammu and Kashmir in Pakistan. Geologists often name
geological formations after prominent geographical features or cities in the
region where they are extensively studied or first identified.

Age
The Muzaffarabad Formation is a part of the geological time scale and is
assigned to the Cretaceous period, specifically the Early to Late Cretaceous
epoch. The Cretaceous period lasted from approximately 145 to 66 million years
ago.

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 Muzaffrabad Formation Shale

Lithology
The Muzaffarabad Formation is predominantly composed of sedimentary rocks,
which are formed through the accumulation of sediments over time. The specific
lithological components of the Muzaffarabad Formation may vary, but it
commonly includes sandstone, shale, limestone, and siltstone.

Texture
The texture of rocks within the Muzaffarabad Formation can vary widely based
on their lithological composition. Sandstone, for example, typically exhibits a
granular texture due to the presence of sand-sized particles. Shale, on the other
hand, possesses a finely layered texture.

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Fossil Record:
One of the most remarkable aspects of the Muzaffarabad Formation is its rich
fossil record. Fossils found in this formation provide evidence of ancient marine
life that inhabited the region during the Cretaceous period.

Sedimentary Structures:

The formation's sedimentary rocks exhibit a variety of structures such as cross-

bedding, ripple marks, and mud cracks. These structures provide clues about the
ancient environments in which the sediments were deposited, indicating past
river systems, lake beds, and marine shorelines.

2.8 HANGU FORMATION

NAME
The "Hangu Shale" and "Hangu Sandstone" of Davies (1930a) from the Kohat
areahave been formalized by the Stratigraphic Committee of Pakistan (1973) as
Hangu Formation and the name is extended to include the "Dhak Pass beds"

AGE
Fossils indicate a Paleocene age.

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TYPE SECTION
Type section of the formation has been designated at Fort Lockhart (Lat. 33° 33'
40"N: Long. 71° 03' E) and the Principal Reference section at Dhak Pass
(Lat.n32° 40' N: Long. 71° 44' E) in the Salt Range.

LITHOLOGY
Consists of sandstone with grey shale intercalations in the upper part. The
sandstone is white, light grey and reddish brown, weathering dark rusty brown,
fine to coarse-grained, and medium to thick bedded.

K.T. Boundary Between Kawagarh Formation and Hangu Formation

THICKNESS
It is 90 m thick in the Fort Lockhart section, 50 m at Hangu, 75 m at Darsamand
and 150min the Kohat Pass area. It is 45 m thick at Dhak Pass in the Salt Range
and 30m in the Surghar Range. It is less than 15 m thick in the Nizampur-Kala
Chitta area and 35 m at Mandeha Banni in Hazara.

FOSSIL
Contains abundant foraminifers, corals, molluscs, echinoids and algae, Eames,
Bhola and Nagappa have reported algae corallina grandis and foraminifera of
and Lockhartia

CONTACT
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The formation disconformably overlies the Kawagarh Formation in the Kohat,
Kala Chitta and Hazara areas and unconformably overlies various Palaeozoic
and Mesozoic formations.

2.9 LOCKHART LIMESTONE

NAMES

Davics (1930a) introduced the term "Lockhart Limestone" for a Paleocene

limestone unit in the Kohat area and this usage has been extended by the
Stratigraphic Committee of Pakistan to similar units in other parts of the Kohat
Potwar and Hazara areas. This unit thus represents the "Nummulitic Scries" of
Middlemiss (1896), the lower part of "Hill Limestone" of Wynne (1873) and Cotter
(1933), the "Khairabad Limestone" of Gee (1934) Tarkhobi Limestone" of Eames
(1952) and "Marl Limestone" of Latif (1970)

AGE

Thanetian Paleocene age

TYPE SECTION

A section exposed near Fort Lockhart (Lat. 33° 26'N: Long. 70° 30' E) in the
Samana Range has been designated as type locality of the unit.

LITHOLOGY

Kohat area, is grey to medium grey, medium to thick-bedded, massive, rubbly

and brccciatcd in places. The basal part is dark grey to bluish grey and flaggy.

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 Contact between the Patala Formation and Lockhart Limestone

THICKNESS

60 m thick in the type locality, 36 m at Darsamand and 40 m at Thai in the Kohat

area. It is 70 m at Nammal Gorge in the Salt Range, 260 mthick in Kala Chitta
and 90 to 242 m in Hazara

FOSSIL

The Lockhart Limestone contains abundant foraminifers, corals, molluscs,

echinoids and algae, Eames, Bhola and Nagappa

CONTACT

The formation conformably and transitionally overlies and underlies the Hangu
Formation and the Patala Formation, respectively.

3.0 Station # 4
Neelam Jhelum Dam (Panjal Volcanic Group)
3.1 Panjal Volcanic Group
Name
The name "Panjal Volcanic Group" derives from its geographic location within
the Panjal Range, a prominent mountain range in the Indian subcontinent. The
Panjal Range stretches across parts of northern India, Pakistan, and western
Tibet, and it is an important geological feature of the Himalayan orogenic belt.

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 Location map of the Panjal Traps in northern India and Pakistan

Age
The volcanic activity that gave rise to the Panjal Volcanic Group occurred during
the Tertiary Period, specifically the Paleogene period. The Paleogene period
lasted from approximately 66 to 23 million years ago. The formation of the Panjal
Volcanic Group is thus dated to this period, and it played a crucial role in shaping
the geological landscape of the region during this time.

Lithology
The lithological composition of the Panjal Volcanic Group encompasses a range
of volcanic rock types, including andesite, basalt, dacite, and rhyolite.

Andesite is an intermediate volcanic rock, characterized by its composition

between basalt (mafic) and rhyolite (felsic). It is often associated with subduction

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zones and volcanic arcs. Basalt is a dark, fine-grained volcanic rock commonly
found in oceanic and continental volcanic provinces. Dacite is a volcanic rock
with a higher silica content than andesite, but lower than rhyolite, reflecting its
intermediate composition. Rhyolite is a felsic volcanic rock, typically light in color,
and rich in silica.

Features:
The Panjal Volcanic Group exhibits several distinctive features that have left an
indelible mark on the landscape of the Panjal Range:

Volcanic Cones and Vent Structures: The area showcases the presence of
volcanic cones, which are hills or mountains formed by the accumulation of
volcanic materials around vents where lava erupts onto the Earth's surface.
These structures serve as evidence of past volcanic activity.

Lava Flows: Extensive lava flows are a hallmark of the Panjal Volcanic Group.
These represent the solidified molten lava that once flowed across the terrain
during volcanic eruptions.

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Pyroclastic Deposits: The volcanic eruptions in the region led to the deposition
of pyroclastic materials, including volcanic ash, tuff, and other fragmented
volcanic particles. These deposits offer valuable insights into the eruptive history
of the Panjal Volcanic Group.

Geological Significance: The Panjal Volcanic Group plays a significant role in

understanding the geological evolution of the Panjal Range and the broader
Indian subcontinent.

Neelum Jhelum dam

3.2 Station # 5
Marble in Neelam Valley

3.3 Nasueri Marble

The Nasueri marble found in the Neelam Valley is a type of metamorphic rock
formed from limestone or dolomite that has undergone intense heat and
pressure over millions of years. This geological process results in the

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recrystallization of the original mineral composition, creating a rock with a
distinctive crystalline structure and beautiful patterns. Marble is highly prized for
its use in construction, sculptures, and various decorative applications due to its
attractive appearance and ease of working.

Characteristics of Kashmiri Marble:

The Nasueri marble found in the Neelam Valley of Kashmir often exhibits
specific characteristics that make it unique and sought after:

Color Variety: Kashmiri marble comes in a wide range of colors, including white,
grey, beige, green, pink, and black. Each variety of marble offers a different
aesthetic appeal, providing flexibility in design and construction.

Marble Deposits of Nauseri Jhugian

Veining and Patterns: One of the most attractive features of Kashmiri marble is
the presence of intricate veining and beautiful patterns. These natural markings
add elegance and sophistication to any architectural or decorative application.

Durability: Marble is a durable stone, making it suitable for both interior and
exterior use. It can withstand various weather conditions and retain its
appearance over time.

Applications of Kashmiri Marble:

The marble from Neelam Valley is highly versatile and finds extensive use in
various applications, including:

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Building Facades: The elegant appearance and durability of Kashmiri marble
make it an ideal choice for exterior cladding and facades of buildings.

Flooring: Marble flooring is a popular choice for both residential and commercial
spaces, adding a touch of luxury to interiors.

Sculptures and Artworks: Kashmiri marble has been used for centuries in the
creation of intricate sculptures and art pieces.

Countertops and Vanity Tops: Its heat-resistant properties make it suitable for
kitchen countertops and bathroom vanity tops.

Decorative Items: Kashmiri marble is used to craft a wide range of decorative

items such as vases, lamps, and other home accessories.

3.4 Station # 6 (Shardah Group Shardah Formation and Gamot

Formation)

3.5 Shardah Group

The Sharda group has been described from Neelum Valley as well as from
Kaghan Valley. Ghazanfar et al. (1983) named and descibed the Sharda group
rom Neelum Valley, Kashmir and in 1987 Chaudhry and Ghazanfar ascertained
that the rocks of upper Kaghan Valley are in physical stratigraphic continuation
ofthe same.

Lithology

Sharda group as described by Ghazanfar et al. (1983) in Kashmir, rom Neelum

Valley is as follows: "Upstream ofLoath there is a huge and extensive
development ofgarnet mica schists and gneisses, calc-schists and marbles,
garnet amphibole-calc gneisses, and kyanite bearing gneisses, calc-gneisses,
graphite schists and paraamphibolites cutbyKel granite gneisses. This group of
rocks extends over vast areas north and northwest ofDorian, Sharda, Kel, Gamot
and Tarli Domel ".

Formations of Shardah Group:

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The group is divisible into two formations namely the

(1) Sharda formation and the (2) Gamot formation

3.6 Station # 7
Sharda formation
Name
Sharda formation is named and described by Ghazanfar ct al. (1983).

Lithology
It is comprised ofgarnet mica schist and gneisses, minor graphite schists,
marbles, calc-schists, gneisses, garnet amphibole and calc-gncisses. However,
southwards toward Dorian, this rock unit predominantly comprises gamet-mica
schists and gneisses with a few bands of non-calcareous graphitic
schists/gneiss. Schistosity at places is developedbut commonly the rock is
massive gneissosc.

Members
In general, the formation indicates two important members in Sharda area, they
are:

Sharda gneisses: Gamet-amphibole, calc-gneisses, some bands ofmarbles and

a few minor graphitic bands represent the rocks ofthe Sharda formation near
Sharda. The Sharda metagneisses are medium bluish grey on resh surface and
light earthy brown on weathered surface.

Changan marbles: It is present near Changan, where Sharda formation is

distinguished by the predominance of marbles with altenating bands of calc-
schists and gneisses. The marbles are generally light grey to medium-grey in
colourwith white bands.

3.7 Conclusion

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Variable geological structure can be found in Pakistan. The Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa province's Abbottabad region is abundant in geological features.
We were able to grasp the area's geology thanks to this survey. It was
discovered that the area has a wide variety of formations that span a wide range
of ages and deposition types. The Main Boundary thrust (MBT), the Panjal thrust
(PT), the Nathiagali thrust (NT), and the Hazara Kashmir syntaxis are all part of
the region's regional tectonics (HKS).

Azad Jammu and Kashmir Pakistan

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