See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/315746880

Explanatory Notes of Geological Map of Fort Munro quadrangle 39 G/13,

Barkhan, Rajan Pur and Dera Ghazi Khan districts, Balochistan, and Punjab
provinces, Pakistan

Technical Report · January 2010

CITATIONS READS
0 187

4 authors, including:

M. Sadiq Malkani Zahid Hussain

Geological Survey of Pakistan Shah Abdul Latif University
221 PUBLICATIONS   3,003 CITATIONS    6 PUBLICATIONS   0 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

Coal Resources of Pakistan View project

Cainozoic vertebrates from Pakistan View project

All content following this page was uploaded by M. Sadiq Malkani on 19 September 2018.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

 Explanatory Notes of Geological Map of Fort Munro quadrangle 39 G/13,
Barkhan, Rajan Pur and Dera Ghazi Khan districts,
Balochistan, and Punjab provinces, Pakistan
Geological Survey of Pakistan, Quetta, Geological Map 39 G/13 (Scale 1:50,000)

M. Sadiq Malkani, Zahid Hussain, M. Shahid Ishaq Dhanotr, M. Raza Shah

2010
The mapped area is included in Survey of Pakistan Topographic sheet No. 39-G/13 and bounded by longitude 690 45’ E to 700
00’ E and latitude 290 45’ N to 300 00’ N. It is located in the Barkhan, Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajan Pur districts of Balochistan
and Punjab provinces, Pakistan. Geologically the area is set in the Sulaiman Basin/Middle Indus Basin. The Fort Munro area is
situated on the Loralai-Dera Ghazi Khan metalled road. Other parts of the mapped area are accessible via fair weather shingle
and mud tracks. The topography is highly rugged to rugged. The relief of the map area varies from 532 meters (1750 feet) to
1911 meters (6269 feet). The drainage pattern of the area is dendritic type.

STRATIGRAPHY
The sedimentary rocks comprising of shale, sandstone, limestone, marl, gypsum, siltstone and conglomerate ranging in age from
Late Cretaceous to recent are divided in to many formations which are being briefly descried here.
Present Channel alluvial deposits (Qal)-Recent: It is confined only in the present channel. It consists of intermixed gravels,
sand, silt and clay.
Mixed sand, silt and clay deposits (cultivated lands; Qsc)-Recent: Its small exposures are found in the eastern part of mapped
area. It consists of intermixed clay, silt, sand and gravels.
Mixed sand, silt and clay deposits (non-cultivated lands; Qss)-Recent: It consists of intermixed sand, silt, sand and gravels.
Colluvial deposits (Qc)-Subrecent-Recent; It consists of intermixed unconsolidated pebble, coble, boulder, sand and silt.
Fan Alluvial deposits (Qf)-Subrecent: It consists of intermixed unconsolidated sand, gravel, silt and clay.
Terrace Alluvial deposits (Qt)-Subrecent: It consists of intermixed and poorly consolidated gravel, sand, silt and clay.
Kahan Group-Early to Middle Eocene; It includes the Habib Rahi, Domanda, Pir Koh and Drazinda formations but here Habib
Rahi and Domanda formations are exposed..
Domanda Formation (Tdm)- Early to Middle Eocene: Its exposure is very small and mostly covered by alluvium and scree in
the western part of mapped area. It consists of mainly shale/mud. The shale is chocolate, khaki and calcareous. The thickness of
this formation is estimated +80m. Its lower contact with Habib Rahi Formation is transitional and conformable. Gingerich et al.
(2001) has reported Eocene walking whale (Rhodocetus balochistanensis, Artiocetus clavis) which have solved the origin from
artiodactyle, collected from the Rakhni area (northern vicinity of mapped area) at transitional contact of Habib Rahi and
Domanda formations, Rhodocetus kasrani from Taunsa area, and Pakicetus inachus from Kuldana formation of Upper Indus
Basin.
Habib Rahi Formation (Th)- Early to Middle Eocene: It is exposed as one belt in the western part of mapped area. It consists
of limestone, shale and marl. The limestone and marl is cream white, thin to medium bedded and porcelaneous. The shale is
grey, khaki and calcareous. Its thickness is estimated 30m. Its lower contact with Baska Formation and upper contact with
Domanda Formation are transitional and conformable.
Chamalang (Ghazij) Group-Early Eocene; It includes the Shaheed Ghat, Toi, Kingri, Drug and Baska formations but here the
Toi and Kingri formations are absent.
Baska Formation (Tb)-Early Eocene: It is exposed in the western part of mapped area. It consists of gypsum, shale, siltstone
and marl. The gypsum is grey to grayish white, medium to thick bedded and massive. The shale is grey, khaki and calcareous.
The siltstone is greenish grey to grey and thin to medium bedded. The marl is cream white, thin to medium bedded and
porcelaneous. The shale is grey, khaki and calcareous. Its thickness is estimated 100m. Its lower contact with Drug Formation
and upper contact with Habib Rahi Formation are conformable.
Drug Formation (Tdg)-Early Eocene: It is exposed in the western part of mapped area. It consists of limestone, marl and shale.
The limestone and marl is chalky white to light brown and grey, rubbly and thin to thick bedded. The shale is grey, khaki and
calcareous. The formation thickness is estimated 150m. Its lower contact with Shaheed Ghat and upper contact with Baska
Formation is conformable.
Shaheed Ghat Formation (Tsg)-Early Eocene: It consists of mainly shale/mud with negligible silt and sandy beds. The shale
is grey, greenish grey, khaki and calcareous. The shale is rarely intercalated with silty and sandy lenses. The thickness of this
formation is estimated 500m. Its lower contact with Dungan and upper contact with Drug Formation are conformable.
Sangiali Group-Paleocene; It includes the Sangiali, Rakhi Gaj and Dungan formations.
Dungan Formation (Td)-Late Paleocene: It is exposed in the eastern, central and western parts of mapped area. It consists of
limestone, shale and marl. The limestone is grey to buff, thin to medium bedded and conglomeratic. The shale is grey, khaki and
calcareous. The marl is brown to grey, thin to medium bedded and fine grained. This formation is 250m thick. Laterally this
formational facies is more diverse, at places thick limestone deposits while at places minor limestone showings. Its lower and
upper contact with Sangiali and Shaheed Ghat formations is conformable.
Rakhi Gaj Formation (Trg)-Early Paleocene: It is exposed in the eastern, central and western parts of mapped area. It consists
of shale, sandstone and calcareous coquina beds. The sandstone is grey, thin to thick bedded and fine to coarse grained, bivalves
and iron bearings, mostly weathered as dark grey to black. Iron may be glauconitic and hematitic and seems to be significant
especially in the Fort Munro and its vicinity areas of central Sulaiman Basin. Some lowermost limy coquina beds of Sangiali
formation are also observed just above the Cretaceous Tertiary Boundary (KTB) and also included with Rakhi Gaj formation due
to less thickness. The shale is grey, khaki and calcareous. The formation thickness of lower Gorge beds (mainly sandstone)
member is about 100m and also the upper Bawata member (shale and sandstone) is estimated 120m. The lower contact and upper
contact of Rakhi Gaj Formation with Sangiali and Dungan Formation is conformable. The lower contact of Sangiali formation
with Vitakri formation is disconformable.
Fort Munro Group-Late Cretaceous; It includes the Mughal Kot, Fort Munro, Pab and Vitakri formations.
Vitakri Formation (Kv)-Late Cretaceous: It is exposed in the eastern part of mapped area. It consists of mainly sandstone with
subordinate shale. The sandstone is white to grey, thin to thick bedded and fine to coarse grained, quartzose and mostly
weathered as dark grey to black. The shale is maroon, red and khaki and calcareous to noncalcareous. The thickness of this
formation is estimated 30m. Its lower contact with Pab Formation and upper contact with Sangiali/Rakhi Gaj Formation is
disconformable.
The red mud of Vitakri Formation is the host of latest Cretaceous dinosaurs in Pakistan. The first dinosaur fossils from
India were discovered in early nineteenth century., but recently (since 2000 to until) Pakistan has produced about 3000 fossils of
cranial, vertebral and appendicular elements of latest Cretaceous archosaurs, which were collected mostly from the Sulaiman
basin and negligible collections from Kirthar and Axial belt of Pakistan. Many hundreds significant holotypic and referred fossils
which include Khetranisaurus barkhani (Malkani 2006b; 2009f), Sulaimanisaurus gingerichi (Malkani and Anwar 2000;
Malkani 2006b, 2009f), and Pakisaurus balochistani (Malkani 2003b; 2006b; 2009f; 2010a) of Pakisauridae (slender
titanosaurians) and Marisaurus jeffi (Malkani 2003a,b; 2006b; 2008a,f; Wilson et al. 2005 ), and Balochisaurus malkani
(Malkani 2003b; 2006b; 2009f) of Balochisauridae (stocky titanosaurians) sauropods, Vitakridrinda sulaimani (Malkani 2006b,e;
2009f) and Vitakrisaurus saraiki (Malkani, in process) of Vitakrisauridae (Vitakrisaurian) theropod, and Pabwehshi
pakistanensis (Wilson et al. 2001; Malkani, 2007d) and Sulaimanisuchus kinwai (Malkani, in process) of carnivorous
Sulaimanisuchidae mesoeucrocodile were documented so far. The remains of body fossils from the Sembar Formation of
Kirthar basin represent Brohisaurus kirthari (Malkani, 2003c), possibly a titanosaurian sauropod. Further the
trackways from the Middle Jurassic Samanasuk Limestone of Kohat and Potwar basin represent a group of wide
gauge Malakhelisaurus mianwali (renamed due to previously engaged name of Malasaurus) titanosaurian sauropods
and a narrow gauge running Samanadrinda surgahri abelisaurian theropod based on only ichnotypes (Malkani,
2007a, 2008f)). Further these vertebrates are also presented at many national and international conferences (2004a,b;
2006a; 2007b,c,e; 2008b,c,d,e; 2009a,b,c,d,e; 2010b,c).
Pab Formation (Kpb)-Late Cretaceous: It is exposed in the eastern, central and western part of mapped area. It consists of
mainly sandstone with subordinate shale. The sandstone is white to grey, thin to thick bedded and fine to coarse grained,
quartzose and mostly weathered as dark grey to black. The shale is grey, maroon and red and calcareous to noncalcareous. The
thickness of this formation is estimated 400m. Its lower contact with Fort Munro Formation is transitional and conformable and
upper contact with Vitakri Formation is disconformable.
Fort Munro Formation (Kf)-Late Cretaceous: It is exposed in the eastern part of mapped area and pinching in the western part
of mapped area. It consists of mainly limestone with negligible shale. The limestone is grey to brown and weathered as brown,
and thin to thick bedded. The shale is grey and calcareous. The thickness of this formation is estimated 100m. Its lower contact
with Mughal Kot Formation and upper contact with Pab Formation are transitional and conformable.
Mughalkot Formation (Km)-Late Cretaceous: It is exposed in the eastern and western part of mapped area. It consists of
mudstone, shale, marl and limestone. The shale is grey, khaki and calcareous. The sandstone is white to grey, quartzose, thin to
thickbedded and medium to coarse grained, mostly weathered as dark grey to black. The marl is grey to cream white, thin bedded
and porcelaneous. Its thickness is estimated as 1200m. Its lower and upper contact with Parh and Fort Munro formations is also
transitional and conformable.

STRUCTURE
Intense folding and faulting are observed in the mapped area produced by convergence of Indo-Pakistan plate with the Asian
plate. Many strike slip, thrust and imbricate faults are found in the mapped area. The area consists of many alternations of
synclines and anticlines generally trending N-S and NE. Starting from west, the Mazara anticline is located in the western part of
mapped area and represent moderate to high dips, and Late Cretaceous Parh (Mughal Kot Formation in the mapped area)
Formation as core formation. Kachar syncline located in the western part of mapped area and includes moderate dips of strata and
Domanda as core formation. The Phulali anticline is found in the western and central part with low to high dips and Pab as core
formation. Chacha syncline is located in the central part and has low dips and Shaheed Ghat as core formation. Fort Munro
anticlinorium is located on the eastern part of mapped area with western limb low to moderate dips and moderate to high dips on
the eastern limb and Mughal Kot as core formation.
 GEOLOGICAL HISTORY
Sulaiman group consists of Spingwar, Loralai and Chiltan/Takatu formations deposited under the marine environments. Fort
Munro group (Mughalkot, Fort Munro, Pab and Vitakri formations) represents deltaic and marine, at the end of Cretaceous
especially continental fluvial (Malkani, 2006d) due to regression of sea. Sangiali Group (Sangiali, Rakhi Gaj and Dungan
formations) represents transgression of sea. The Shaheed Ghat, Drug and Baska formations of Ghazij/Chamalang group show
marine, deltaic and evaporitic environments. The Habib Rahi and Domanda formations of Kahan group were deposited under
marine conditions. After this the main episode of convergence of Indo-Pakistan plate with Asian plate occurred which is
responsible for the folding and faulting. Subrecent and Recent deposits show the alluvium with minor colluvium and eolian.

ECONOMIC GEOLOGY
gypsum and iron are major economic commodities in the area. Large deposits of construction, cement and lime raw materials are
found. Major anticlines for petroleum exploration are also significant. Petroleum Company has also drilled hole for petroleum in
the Phulali anticline in the central part of mapped area.
Gypsum: Malkani (2000; in process) has reported first time the gypsum from this area. More than 10 beds of gypsum from
Baska Formation are observed. The composite thickness of Baska gypsum is 100m thick. These are consistent in the exposures
and subsurface with the existence of host formations.
Aragonite: The 1-8cm many layers of aragonite are also observed in the Shaheed Ghat shale. This formation also show some
rounded nodules in the shale with the celestite mineralization in the centre.
Ferruginous mineralization and ochre: Iron mineralization (14.7-20.5% iron oxide) is found in hematitic and glauconitic
sandstone of Paleocene Rakhi Gaj Formation. The deposits are more than 300 million tons in the Fort Munro and its vicinity
areas. Large deposits of maroon/ red ochre is also found in the Vitakri Formation representing Cretaceous Tertiary (K-T)
boundary.
Cement and lime raw materials: Large deposits of lime and cement raw materials like limestone, gypsum and shale are found
in the mapped area.
Construction materials: Large deposits of construction material are found from different strata like limestone is found from Fort
Munro, Dungan and Habib Rahi formations, sandstone are found from the Pab, Vitakri and Rakhi Gaj formations, while
shale/clays/marl are found from Mughal Kot, Shaheed Ghat and Domanda formations.
Water resources: There are many streams where the small dam can be constructed to increase the fresh water potential and also
for the development of the area.

REFERENCES
Gingerich P.D., Haq M.U., Zalmout I.S., Khan I.H., Malkani M. S. 2001. Origin of whales from early artiodactyls: Hands and feet of Eocene
Protocetidae from Pakistan; Science, 293: 2239-2242.

Malkani M.S. 2000, Preliminary report on gypsum deposits of Sulaiman Range, Pakistan. GSP, IR 706, 1-11.

Malkani M. S. 2003a. Discovery of Partial Skull and Dentary of Titanosauria (Sauropod dinosaur) from the Late Cretaceous Pab Formation of
Vitakri area, Barkhan distt, Balochistan, Pakistan. Geol. Bul.Univ.Peshawar 36, 65-71.

Malkani M.S. 2003b. Pakistani Titanosauria; are armoured dinosaurs? Geol. Bul. Univ. Peshawar 36, 85-91.

Malkani M.S. 2003c. First Jurassic dinosaur fossils found from Kirthar range, Khuzdar District, Balochistan, Pakistan. Geol. Bul.Univ.Peshawar
36, 73-83.

Malkani M.S. 2004a. Saurischian dinosaurs from Late Cretaceous of Pakistan. In abstract volume of Fifth Pakistan Geological Congress,
Islamabad, Pakistan, 71-73.

Malkani M.S. 2004b. First diagnostic fossils of Late Cretaceous Crocodyliform (Mesueucrocoreptilia) from Pakistan. In abstract volume of Fifth
Pakistan Geological Congress, Islamabad, Pakistan, 68-70.

Malkani M.S. 2004c. Stratigraphy and Economic potential of Sulaiman, Kirthar and Makran-Siahan Ranges, Pakistan. In abstract volume of Fifth
Pakistan Geological Congress, Islamabad, Pakistan, 63-66.

Malkani M.S. 2004d. Discovery of Fluorite deposits from Mula-Zahri Range, Khuzdar District, Balochistan, Pakistan. In abstract volume of Fifth
Pakistan Geological Congress, Islamabad, Pakistan, 20-22.

Malkani M.S. 2006a. Diversity of Saurischian dinosaurs from Pakistan. In additional abstract volume of Ist International Conference on
Biotechnology and Informatics, Quetta, Pakistan, 103.

Malkani M.S. 2006b. Biodiversity of saurischian dinosaurs from the latest Cretaceous Park of Pakistan. Journal of Applied and Emerging
Sciences, 1(3), 108-140.
Malkani M.S. 2006c. Cervicodorsal, Dorsal and Sacral vertebrae of Titanosauria (Sauropod Dinosaurs) discovered from the Latest Cretaceous
Dinosaur beds/Vitakri Member of Pab Formation, Sulaiman Foldbelt, Pakistan. Jour.Appl. Emer.Sci. 1(3), 188-196.

Malkani M.S. 2006d. Lithofacies and Lateral extension of Latest Cretaceous Dinosaur beds from Sulaiman foldbelt, Pakistan. Sindh University
Research Journal (Science Series) 38 (1), 1-32.

Malkani M.S. 2006e. First Rostrum of Carnivorous Vitakridrinda (Abelisaurids Theropod dinosaur) found from the latest Cretaceous Dinosaur
beds (Vitakri) Member of Pab Formation, Alam Kali Kakor Locality of Vitakri area, Barkhan Distt, Bal., Pakistan. Sindh University Research
Journal (Science Series) 38 (2), 5-24.

Malkani M.S. 2007a. Trackways evidence of sauropod dinosaurs confronted by a theropod found from Middle Jurassic Samana Suk Limestone of
Pakistan. Sindh University Research Journal (Science Series) 39 (1), 1-14.

Malkani M.S. 2007b. Cretaceous Geology and dinosaurs from terrestrial strata of Pakistan. In abstract volume of 2nd International Symposium of
IGCP 507 on Paleoclimates in Asia during the Cretaceous: theirvariations, causes, and biotic and environmental responses, Seoul, Korea, 57-63.

Malkani M.S. 2007c. Lateral and vertical rapid variable Cretaceous depositional environments and Terrestrial dinosaurs from Pakistan. In
abstracts volume of IGCP 555 on Joint Workshop on Rapid Environmental/Climate Change in Cretaceous Greenhouse World: Ocean-Land
Interaction and Deep Terrestrial Scientific Drilling Project of the Creac. Songliao Basin, Daqing, China, Cretaceous World-Publication, 44-47.

Malkani M.S., 2007d. First diagnostic fossils of Late Cretaceous Crocodyliform (Mesoeucrocodylia, Reptilia) from Vitakri area, Barkhan
District, Balochistan, Pakistan. In; Ashraf, M., Hussain, S. S., and Akbar, H. D. eds. Contribution to Geology of Pakistan 2007, Proceedings of
5th Pakistan Geological Congress 2004, A Publication of National Geological Society of Pakistan, Pakistan Museum of Natural History,
Islamabad, Pakistan, 241-259.

Malkani M.S. 2007e. Paleobiogeographic implications of titanosaurian sauropod and abelisaurian theropod dinosaurs from Pakistan. Sindh
University Research Journal (Science Ser.) 39 (2), 33-54.

Malkani M.S. 2008a. First articulated Atlas-axis complex of Titanosauria (Sauropoda, Dinosauria) uncovered from the latest Cretaceous Vitakri
member (Dinosaur beds) of upper Pab Formation, Kinwa locality of Sulaiman Basin, Pakistan. Sindh University Research Journal (Science
Series) 40 (1), 55-70.

Malkani M.S. 2008b. Mesozoic terrestrial ecosystem from Pakistan. In Abstracts of the 33rd International Geological Congress, (Theme HPF-14
Major events in the evolution of terrestrial biota, Abstract no. 1137099), Oslo, Norway, 1.

Malkani M.S. 2008c. Mesozoic terrestrial ecosystem from Pakistan. In abstract volume of the 3rd International Symposium of IGCP 507 on
Paleoclimates in Asia during the Cretaceous: their variations, causes, and biotic and environmental responses, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, 51-55.

Malkani M.S. 2008d. Titanosaur (Dinosauria, Sauropoda) osteoderms from Pakistan. . In abstract volume of the 3rd International Symposium of
IGCP 507 on Paleoclimates in Asia during the Cretaceous: their variations, causes, and biotic and environmental responses, Ulaanbaatar,
Mongolia, 56-60.

Malkani M.S. 2008e. Mesozoic Continental Vertebrate Community from Pakistan-An overview. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Volume 28,
Supplement to Number 3, 111A.

Malkani M.S. 2008f. Marisaurus (Balochisauridae, Titanosauria) remains from the latest Cretaceous of Pakistan. Sindh University Research
Journal (Science Series), 40 (2), 55-78.

Malkani M.S. 2009a. Terrestrial vertebrates from the Mesozoic of Pakistan. In abstract volume of 8 th International Symposium on the Cretaceous
System, University of Plymouth, UK, 49-50.

Malkani M.S. 2009b. Basal (J/K) and upper (K/T) boundaries of Cretaceous System in Pakistan. In abstract volume of 8 th International
Symposium on the Cretaceous System, University of Plymouth, UK, 58-59.

Malkani M.S. 2009c. Cretaceous marine and continental fluvial deposits from Pakistan. In abstract volume of 8 th International Symposium on the
Cretaceous System, University of Plymouth, UK, 59.

Malkani M.S. 2009d. Dinosaur biota of the continental Mesozoic of Pakistan. In Proceedings of the 4th International Symposium of the IGCP 507
on Paleoclimates of the Cretaceous in Asia and their global correlation, Kumamoto University and Mifune Dinosaur Museum, Japan, 66-67.

Malkani M.S. 2009e. Basal (J/K) and Upper (K/T) boundaries of the Cretaceous System in Pakistan. In Proceedings of the 4 th Symposium of
IGCP 507 on Paleoclimates of the Cretaceous in Asia and their global correlation, Kumamoto University and Mifune Dinosaur Museum, Japan,
109-110.

Malkani M.S. 2009f. New Balochisaurus (Balochisauridae, Titanosauria, Sauropoda) and Vitakridrinda (Theropoda) remains from Pakistan.
Sindh University Research Journal (Science Series), 41 (2), 65-92.

Malkani, M.S. 2010a. New Pakisaurus (Pakisauridae, Titanosauria, Sauropoda) remains, and Cretaceous Tertiary (K-T) boundary from Pakistan.
Sindh University Research Journal (Science Series). 42 (1), 39-64.
 Malkani M.S. 2010b. Vitakridrinda (Vitakrisauridae, Theropoda) from the Latest Cretaceous of Pakistan. Journal of Earth Science, Vol. 21,
Special Issue 3, 204-212.

Malkani M.S. 2010c. Osteoderms of Pakisauridae and Balochisauridae (Titanosauria, Sauropoda, Dinosauria) in Pakistan. Journal of Earth
Science, Vol. 21, Special Issue 3, 198-203.

Malkani M.S. 2010. Stratigraphy and Mineral potential of Sulaiman Basin, Pakistan. Sindh University Research Journal (Science Series). 42 (1),
39-66.

Malkani M.S., & C.M. Anwar. 2000. Discovery of first dinosaur fossil in Pakistan, Barkhan District, Balochistan. Geological Survey of Pakistan
Information Release, 732, 1-16.

Wilson J.A, M.S. Malkani and P.D. Gingerich. 2001. New Crocodyliform (Reptilia, Mesoeucrocodylia) form the upper Cretaceous Pab
Formation of Vitakri, Balochistan (Pakistan), Contrib. from Museum of Paleontology, The Univ. of Michigan, 30(12), 321-336.

Wilson J.A, M.S. Malkani and P.D. Gingerich. 2005. A sauropod braincase from the Pab Formation (Upper Cretaceous, Maastrichtian) of
Balochistan, Pakistan. Gondwana Geol. Mag., Spec. Vol., 8, 101-109.

View publication stats