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Pakistan Stratigraphy

Kohat-Potwar Basin (Upper Indus)

Salt Range

Northern Punjab, between Jhelum and Indus rivers · Foreland fold-and-thrust belt

A mountain range in Punjab province with the most complete stratigraphic record from Precambrian to Recent. Exposes one of the most complete and fossiliferous Paleozoic-Mesozoic sequences in the world, including the famous Khewra Salt Mine.

Units

38

Tectonic setting

Foreland fold-and-thrust belt

This reference records 38 units in the Salt Range spanning 4 geological eras, most commonly limestone, sandstone, evaporite.

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

At a glance

38
units
4
eras
15
georeferenced
31
with fossils
33
type localities
1,665 m
max thickness
56
sources

Rock types

  • limestone (16)
  • sandstone (15)
  • evaporite (3)
  • conglomerate (3)

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

Fossils recorded

  • Stromatolites
  • Algal mats
  • Trace fossils
  • Trilobites (rare)
  • Trilobites (Redlichia noetlingi)
  • Brachiopods (Lingulella fuchsia, Botsfordia granulata)
  • Gastropods
  • Trilobite trails (trace fossils)
  • Skolithos burrows
  • Cruziana traces
  • Brachiopods (Neobolus warthi, Lingulella)
  • Hyolithes wynnei
  • Brachiopods (Productus)
  • Crinoids
  • Bryozoans
  • Foraminifera
  • Last Paleozoic brachiopods
  • Ammonoids
  • Diminished fauna near top
  • Acritarchs
  • Tasmanitids
  • Eurydesma
  • Conularia
  • Discina

+78 more across the Salt Range units.

Units in this province

38 units

Line these up against other basins on the correlation panel →

Era colours
  • Quaternary
  • Cenozoic
  • Mesozoic
  • Paleozoic
  • Precambrian
Salt Range
  1. Kamlial FormationFossils recordedNeogene
  2. Chinji FormationFossils recordedNeogene
  3. Dhok Pathan FormationNeogene
  4. Nagri FormationFossils recordedNeogene
  5. Hangu FormationFossils recordedPaleogene
  6. Kuldana FormationFossils recordedPaleogene
  7. Nammal FormationFossils recordedPaleogene
  8. Chorgali FormationFossils recordedPaleogene
  9. Lockhart LimestoneFossils recordedPaleogene
  10. Patala FormationFossils recordedPaleogene
  11. Sakesar FormationFossils recordedPaleogene
  12. Lumshiwal FormationFossils recordedCretaceous
  13. Kawagarh FormationFossils recordedCretaceous
  14. Chichali FormationFossils recordedJurassic-Cretaceous
  15. Datta FormationFossils recordedJurassic
  16. Samana Suk FormationFossils recordedJurassic
  17. Shinawari FormationFossils recordedJurassic
  18. Kathwai MemberTriassic
  19. Mianwali FormationFossils recordedTriassic
  20. Mittiwali MemberTriassic
  21. Narmia MemberTriassic
  22. Tredian FormationFossils recordedTriassic
  23. Kingriali FormationFossils recordedTriassic
  24. Khatkiara Sandstone MemberTriassic
  25. Landa MemberTriassic
  26. Amb FormationFossils recordedPermian
  27. Chhidru FormationFossils recordedPermian
  28. Dandot FormationFossils recordedPermian
  29. Sardhai FormationFossils recordedPermian
  30. Tobra FormationFossils recordedPermian
  31. Warchha SandstoneFossils recordedPermian
  32. Wargal LimestoneFossils recordedPermian
  33. Baghanwala FormationFossils recordedCambrian
  34. Jutana FormationFossils recordedCambrian
  35. Khewra SandstoneFossils recordedCambrian
  36. Khisor FormationCambrian
  37. Kussak FormationFossils recordedCambrian
  38. Salt Range FormationFossils recordedEdiacaran
SandstoneShale / mudLimestoneMixedGypsum / evaporiteFossils 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.