Microfacies and Depositional Environmental Studies of Lockhart Formation of Chhangla Gali Area, Hazara Basin, Pakistan.

Abstract

The Paleocene Lockhart Formation of Hazara Basin Lesser Himalayas of Pakistan was deposited in the package of shelf carbonates after the second disconformity transgression of Tethys. Three hundred thirteen (313) thin sections were prepared and stained for petrography from this section. The measured Chhangla Galli section is about 60 m thick of Lockhart Formation in Hazara Basin. Nine microfacies Mudstones, Rotaliidae Wackstones / Packstones, Miscelaneidae Wackstones / Packstones, Bioclastic Wackstone / Packstone, and Algal Wackstones / Packstones have been established and geochemically analyzed. The study shows that this formation deposited in shallow marine subtidal to the tidal marine environment of deposition environment of a carbonate platform (inner to mid ramp). The study includes biostratigraphy and micropaleontology of Paleocene carbonates of the Chhangla Gali section. Twenty-three (23) representative samples selected for major and trace elements (Ca, Mg, Sr, Mn, Fe and Na) analysis of the carbonates are reflected diagenetic and depositional environment. Ten (10) samples analyzed for stable isotopes variation in Carbon and Oxygen of the carbonate shows the water temperature.