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Geochemical attributes of late Neoproterozoic Salt Range Formation, Pakistan: constraints on provenance, paleoclimate, depositional and tectonic settings

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Abstract

Detailed geochemical analyses of clastic fraction of the oldest exposed Salt Range Formation in the famous salt producing region (Salt and Trans-Indus Ranges) Pakistan was carried out in order to understand provenance, paleoclimate, depositional and tectonic settings. Sandstone and shale samples of Salt Range Formation were analysed for major, trace and Rare Earth Elements and various geochemical models and ratios were used to interpret. Geochemical analyses of both sandstone and shale fraction mostly display similar results and interpretations. The samples are classified as arkose, subarkose, litharenites and were sourced from felsic and/or intermediate igneous rocks. The sedimentation of the detritus was occurred in fluvial to restricted shelf conditions under arid to semi-arid and oxygenated climate conditions. The tectonic settings of the sediments were mainly Oceanic and Continental Island arcs as well as Active Continental margin.

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  1. Office of Academics and Research, COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus, 54000, Lahore, Pakistan

    Muhammad Ahmed Farooqui

  2. Department of Earth Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus, 22060, Abbottabad, Pakistan

    Muhammad Umar, Muhammad Amjad Sabir & Tarib Jalees

  3. College of Marine Geosciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China

    Rashid Pervez

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  1. Muhammad Ahmed Farooqui
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Farooqui, M.A., Umar, M., Sabir, M.A. et al. Geochemical attributes of late Neoproterozoic Salt Range Formation, Pakistan: constraints on provenance, paleoclimate, depositional and tectonic settings. Geosci J 23, 201–218 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12303-018-0022-3

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