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Detailed sedimentological investigation of the late cretaceous fort munro formation, western sulaiman range, Pakistan

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Abstract

The late Cretaceous Fort Munro Formation in the western Sulaiman Range represents medium to thick-bedded, dark grey limestone displaying rich skeletal components, particularly larger benthic foraminifera (LBF), and bivalves. Three sections from the western Sulaiman Range, namely Spera Ragha, Murree Brewery, and Hanna Lake, were studied for detailed microfacies analysis and diagenetic investigation. A total of nine microfacies have been recognized, including 1 mudstone, 4 wackestone, 2 packstone, and 2 grainstone. Considering the proportionate prevalence of biota, their groupings, and the existence of a micritic matrix in different microfacies, it is deduced that the Fort Munro Formation was deposited inner to middle ramp setting. The inner ramp setting is more widespread than the corresponding middle ramp and is characterized by sub depositional environments including semi-restricted, storm-induced skeletal shoals, lagoons, low energy and protected inner ramp, storm induced skeletal shoals, and open marine. The Fort Munro Formation has undergone significant diagenetic alteration due to various diagenetic events. These events have altered the primary and secondary porosities. The observed diagenetic processes include micritization, cementation, dissolution, neomorphism, mechanical compaction, stylolitization, fractures and veins formation. Paragenetic sequence reveals that the studied carbonates are modified in marine, meteoric, and burial diagenetic environments. Detailed diagenetic analysis of the Fort Munro Formation reveals that most of the primary as well as secondary porosities are deteriorated by the precipitation of different type of cements in a variety of diagenetic environments.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the Centre of Excellence in Mineralogy, University of Balochistan, Quetta, Pakistan for providing financial assistance for the field work. The authors greatly acknowledged the laboratory facilities provided by the National Centre of Excellence in Mineralogy, University of Balochistan, Quetta.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre of Excellence in Mineralogy, University of Balochistan, Quetta, Pakistan

    Badar U Zaman & Razzaq Abdul Manan

  2. Department of Geology, University of Balochistan, Quetta, Pakistan

    Mohibullah Mohibullah & Akhtar Muhammad Kassi

  3. National Centre of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Peshawar-25130, Pakistan

    Muhammad Rizwan

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  1. Badar U Zaman
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  2. Mohibullah Mohibullah
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  3. Razzaq Abdul Manan
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  4. Akhtar Muhammad Kassi
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Contributions

Author A conducted the entire research as part of his M.Phil. thesis. Both B and C has assisted the A in geological field work and also supervised the whole research work. E conducted the diagenetic analysis. E also completed the graphical work, prepared the final draft of the manuscript, and handled correspondence. All authors reviewed manuscript.

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Correspondence to Muhammad Rizwan.

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Zaman, B.U., Mohibullah, M., Manan, R.A. et al. Detailed sedimentological investigation of the late cretaceous fort munro formation, western sulaiman range, Pakistan. Carbonates Evaporites 39, 55 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13146-024-00965-2

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