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Pakistan Stratigraphy

Kirthar Basin (Lower Indus)

Kirthar Range

Western Sindh and Eastern Balochistan · Passive margin to foreland transition

Lower Indus Basin with type sections for major Paleogene formations. Forms the western boundary of the Indus Plain. Excellent Eocene larger foraminifera localities.

Units

22

Tectonic setting

Passive margin to foreland transition

This reference records 22 units in the Kirthar Range spanning 3 geological eras, most commonly limestone, sandstone, conglomerate.

Correlate with other provinces → Explore the basin → Filter all units →

At a glance

22
units
3
eras
11
georeferenced
15
with fossils
19
type localities
4,500 m
max thickness
37
sources

Rock types

  • limestone (13)
  • sandstone (5)
  • conglomerate (2)
  • evaporite (1)

Based on the primary lithology recorded for each unit; some units span more than one rock type.

Fossils recorded

  • Ammonites, brachiopods, bivalves, crinoids, corals
  • Daonella
  • Choffatia
  • Bullatimorphites bullatus
  • Clydoniceras
  • Brohisaurus kirthari
  • Foraminifera
  • Ammonites
  • Bivalves
  • Planktic foraminifera
  • Belemnites
  • Gastropods
  • Trace fossils
  • Planktonic foraminifera (Globotruncana spp.)
  • Globotruncana stuarti
  • Globotruncana gansseri
  • Pseudotextularia elegans
  • Heterohelix navarroensis
  • Guembelitria cretacea
  • Zeauvigerina aegyptica
  • Echinoids
  • Algae
  • Nummulites
  • Larger foraminifera

+5 more across the Kirthar Range units.

Units in this province

22 units

Line these up against other basins on the correlation panel →

Era colours
  • Quaternary
  • Cenozoic
  • Mesozoic
  • Paleozoic
  • Precambrian
Kirthar Range
  1. Dada FormationQuaternary
  2. Gaj FormationFossils recordedNeogene
  3. Manchar FormationFossils recordedNeogene
  4. Siwalik GroupNeogene
  5. Laki FormationFossils recordedPaleogene
  6. Kirthar FormationFossils recordedPaleogene
  7. Gorag FormationPaleogene
  8. Kingri FormationPaleogene
  9. Nari FormationFossils recordedPaleogene
  10. Ranikot GroupFossils recordedPaleogene
  11. Goru FormationFossils recordedCretaceous
  12. Mona Jhal GroupFossils recordedCretaceous
  13. Sembar FormationFossils recordedCretaceous
  14. Mekhtar Formation (or Mekhtar Sandstone)Cretaceous
  15. Pab SandstoneFossils recordedCretaceous
  16. Parh LimestoneFossils recordedCretaceous
  17. Korara ShaleFossils recorded
  18. Dilband FormationFossils recordedJurassic
  19. Anjira FormationJurassic
  20. Spingwar FormationFossils recordedTriassic
  21. Gwal FormationTriassic
  22. Wulgai FormationFossils recordedTriassic
ConglomerateShale / mudSandstoneLimestoneMixedFossils recordedConformable

Band colour = period; texture = dominant rock type. Lines between bands mark the contact type. True scale makes height ∝ recorded thickness; hatched = thickness not recorded. Ages approximate, for ordering.