Prologue
Stratigraphy, the cornerstone of geology, delves into the formation, composition, sequence, and correlation of stratified rocks within the Earth’s crust. It involves a detailed study of sedimentary attributes and constituents of a region, emphasizing the principles of sedimentation. Stratigraphy helps infer the conditions under which sedimentary rocks were formed and establishes their correlation through biostratigraphy (using fossils), lithostratigraphy (using rock units), and chronostratigraphy (using geological time units). These foundational insights are crucial for the broader science of geology.
Initially developed for sedimentary rocks, stratigraphic principles are now also applied to ash falls, lava flows, and layered igneous rocks, particularly those in contact with sedimentary or metamorphic rocks.
The current volume is a revised and updated version of the “Stratigraphy of Pakistan” published in 1977, which was the most widely circulated publication by the Geological Survey of Pakistan. Extensive stratigraphic research conducted since then has necessitated this significant update. The previous edition promoted the use of stratigraphic knowledge in oil, gas, and mineral exploration and was widely used by geoscientists and teaching institutions in Pakistan for over two decades. Subsequent works, such as Bender and Raza’s “Geology of Pakistan” (1995), Kazmi and Jan’s “Geology and Tectonics of Pakistan” (1997), and Kazmi and Abbasi’s “Stratigraphy and Historical Geology of Pakistan” (2008), further contributed to the field.
Recent geological research in northern Pakistan, conducted by the Geological Survey of Pakistan, universities, oil companies, and foreign researchers, has provided valuable stratigraphic information. This updated volume synthesizes and includes this new knowledge, presenting significant updates on Precambrian and Paleozoic formations. The Mesozoic chapter now covers the entire country, including detailed information on the Cretaceous Kohistan island arc. The Cainozoic section has also been expanded, and the chapter on mineral deposits revised to include energy minerals under tectonic frameworks.
The book describes stratigraphy basin-wise, with simplified basin architecture of northern areas and paleogeographic reconstructions attempted for various periods. The inclusion of maps aims to popularize and encourage advanced stratigraphic studies.
Before 1965, Pakistan’s stratigraphic column lacked representation of the Ordovician, Silurian, Devonian, and Carboniferous periods. Subsequent discoveries by researchers like Teichert, Stauffer, Talent, Tahirkheli, Pogue, and Hussain filled these gaps, providing a complete representation of Phanerozoic eras and periods in Pakistan’s stratigraphic column.
This volume adheres to the Stratigraphic Code of Pakistan and the International Stratigraphic Guide, incorporating field information and reviews where necessary. The Stratigraphic Committee of Pakistan formalizes the nomenclature of stratigraphic units, ensuring consistency in practical use throughout the country.
The present revision, suggested by the then Director General Syed Hasan Gauhar in 2002, acknowledges the logistical support from Dr. Imran Khan, the current Director General of the Geological Survey of Pakistan, and contributions from various geoscientists and organizations. Critical reviews and comments from experts in the field have been invaluable in preparing this volume.
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