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Pakistan Stratigraphy

Sulaiman Basin (Middle Indus)

Sulaiman Fold Belt

Eastern Balochistan and D.G. Khan, Punjab · Foreland fold-and-thrust belt

Middle Indus Basin with excellent Mesozoic-Cenozoic marine and continental sequences. Host to Pakistani dinosaurs (Vitakri Formation) and walking whales (Eocene). Major petroleum province.

Units

44

Tectonic setting

Foreland fold-and-thrust belt

This reference records 44 units in the Sulaiman Fold Belt spanning 3 geological eras, most commonly limestone, sandstone, conglomerate.

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

At a glance

44
units
3
eras
27
georeferenced
30
with fossils
39
type localities
4,500 m
max thickness
47
sources

Rock types

  • limestone (23)
  • sandstone (6)
  • conglomerate (6)
  • evaporite (5)
  • metamorphic rocks (2)
  • shale/mudstone (1)
  • marl (1)

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

Fossils recorded

  • Corals
  • Ammonites
  • Belemnites
  • Bivalves
  • Foraminifera
  • Early Callovian fauna (upper part)
  • Planktic foraminifera
  • bivalves
  • brachiopods
  • gastropods
  • Omphaocyclus sp
  • Orbitoides sp.
  • Gastropods
  • Trace fossils
  • Planktonic foraminifera (Globotruncana spp.)
  • Titanosaurian sauropods
  • Theropod dinosaurs
  • Mesoeucrocodylians
  • Pterosaurs
  • Globotruncana stuarti
  • Globotruncana gansseri
  • Pseudotextularia elegans
  • Heterohelix navarroensis
  • Guembelitria cretacea

+27 more across the Sulaiman Fold Belt units.

Units in this province

44 units

Line these up against other basins on the correlation panel →

Era colours
  • Quaternary
  • Cenozoic
  • Mesozoic
  • Paleozoic
  • Precambrian
Sulaiman Fold Belt
  1. Vihowa FormationFossils recordedNeogene
  2. Litra FormationFossils recordedNeogene
  3. Chaudhwan FormationNeogene
  4. Siwalik GroupNeogene
  5. Bugti FormationFossils recordedPaleogene-Neogene
  6. Baska FormationFossils recordedPaleogene
  7. Chamalang (=Ghazij) GroupFossils recordedPaleogene
  8. Chitarwatta FormationFossils recordedPaleogene
  9. Drug FormationFossils recordedPaleogene
  10. Early-Middle Eocene Kahan GroupPaleogene
  11. Shaheed Ghat FormationFossils recordedPaleogene
  12. Sui Main Limestone FormationPaleogene
  13. Toi FormationFossils recordedPaleogene
  14. Kirthar GroupFossils recordedPaleogene
  15. Rakhi Gaj FormationFossils recordedPaleogene
  16. Dungan FormationFossils recordedPaleogene
  17. Ghazij GroupFossils recordedPaleogene
  18. Ranikot GroupFossils recordedPaleogene
  19. Sangiali FormationFossils recordedPaleogene
  20. Chashmai Kharsai FormationFossils recordedCretaceous
  21. Goru FormationFossils recordedCretaceous
  22. Marsikhel FormationFossils recordedCretaceous
  23. Mona Jhal GroupFossils recordedCretaceous
  24. Sembar FormationFossils recordedCretaceous
  25. Zerghar FormationCretaceous
  26. Bibai FormationFossils recordedCretaceous
  27. Fort Munro FormationFossils recordedCretaceous
  28. Mughal Kot FormationFossils recordedCretaceous
  29. Pab SandstoneFossils recordedCretaceous
  30. Parh LimestoneFossils recordedCretaceous
  31. Vitakri FormationFossils recordedCretaceous
  32. Korara ShaleFossils recorded
  33. Alozai GroupJurassic
  34. Sarobi FormationJurassic
  35. Sulaiman GroupJurassic
  36. Chiltan LimestoneFossils recordedJurassic
  37. Isha FormationJurassic
  38. Loralai FormationFossils recordedJurassic
  39. Mazar Drik FormationFossils recordedJurassic
  40. Takatu FormationJurassic
  41. Spalga FormationTriassic
  42. Kaniguram SlateTriassic
  43. Khanozai GroupTriassic
  44. Wana Schist
SandstoneShale / mudLimestoneIgneousMetamorphicFossils 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.