Structural Insights in the Proximity of Jhelum Fault Kashmir Basin, Sub Himalayas Pakistan

Abstract

ABSTRACT

The Dheri Qasim and Doberan area lies in the southward region of Hazara Kashmir Syntaxis (HKS), Sub-Himalayas Pakistan. The NW-SE trending fold-and-thrust belt of Himalayas marks abrupt bend to the NE-SW in the HKS (Hazara Kashmir Syntaxis). The Jhelum fault displaces the western extremity of Kashmir Syntaxis, which results the complex geological structures in Kashmir basin. Stratigraphically the study area hosts the sedimentary rocks of Miocene to fresh and recent sediments, which are Kamlial Formation, Chinji Formation, Nagri Formation, Dhok Pathan, Soan Formation, Mirpur Formation and Fresh alluvium. These rock units represent the molasse of Himalayan orogeny. Structurally, the research area is extensively deformed due to various tectonic episodes, like initiation of Hazara Kashmir Syntaxis, Jhelum fault, which formed the complex structures in term of folds and faults. The folds which have been observed in the field are Maliar anticline (A), Maliar syncline, Maliar anticline (B), Chouk Borjan syncline, Chouk Borjan anticline, Pajand syncline, Pajand anticline, and Sadiqabad syncline. Based on field observation nature of these folds is tight, isoclinal, close, open and gentle. The major faults observed in the study area are Jhelum Fault, Malikpur-Diljaba fault, Maliar fault and Chillayar fault. The Jehlum Fault is the main cause of deformational episodes which runs through the center of the research area. The Malikpur-Diljaba fault is regarded as an intraformational fault which is marked within the Chinji Formation. The Malikpur-Diljaba fault and Maliar fault are the back thrust splay faults of the Jhelum Fault. Along the Chillayar fault Dhok Pathan Formation thrusted on the Nagri Formation. The tightly folded and imbricated block between the Malikpur-Diljaba fault and the Jhelum Fault is interpreted as a popup structure.

Key Words: Fault, Fold, Hazara Kashmir Syntaxis, Molasses, Formation