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Pakistan Stratigraphy
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Precambrian • Neoproterozoic

Hazara Formation

Late Precambrian (Neoproterozoic)

Neoproterozoic in the time scale →

Stratigraphic position

In the Hazara Basin column
IgneousMetamorphicFossils recordedConformableUnconformity

Band colour = period; texture = dominant rock type. Lines between bands mark the contact type (wavy = unconformity inferred from a missing period). True scale makes height ∝ recorded thickness; hatched = thickness not recorded. Ages approximate, for ordering.

This unit (highlighted) within its province column; faded ends continue above and below. Line style marks the contact type.

The Late Precambrian slate sequence at the heart of the Hazara hills, older than the famous Salt Range salt beds.

Widely exposed metamorphic sequence from east to west in Hazara region. Synonyms include Salkhala Formation, Attock Slates, and Manki Formation. Represents deep marine to slope deposits.

Significance. A Late Precambrian (Neoproterozoic) flysch-type slate sequence forming the core of the Hazara Nappe; first described as the 'Salt Series of Hazara' (Middlemiss, 1896) and correlated with the Salt Range Formation on the basis of its evaporites, but radiometric ages of about 765 and 950 Ma show it to be older than the Salt Range Formation. It is overlain unconformably by the Tanawal Formation.

Lithology
Light-grey, partly phyllitic slate with a flysch-like character, with intercalations of sandstone, limestone, gypsum and graphite.
Thickness
2000-5000 m
Type locality
Hazara District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Environment
marine
Introduced by
Middlemiss (1896)

Fossils

Stromatolites (rare)

References

  • Malkani, M.S. & Mahmood, Z. (2017). Stratigraphy of Pakistan. Geological Survey of Pakistan, Memoir Vol. 24.
  • Kazmi, A.H. & Jan, M.Q. (1997). Geology and Tectonics of Pakistan. Graphic Publishers, Karachi.

Reviewer confidence: medium

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