Macrostructures vs microstructures in evaporite detachments: An example from the Salt Range, Pakistan

Richards, Lachlan; King, Robert G.; Collins, Alan S.; Sayab, Mohammad; Khan, Mohammad Asif; Haneef, Muhammad; Morley, C.K.; Warren, John K.

doi:10.1016/j.jseaes.2015.04.015

Cited by 15 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…The slope of the SR towards the Potwar Basin is gentle and both the Potwar Basin and the SR form a large allochthones slab [30,31]. The deformation style is distinct between the southern and the northern part of the Potwar Basin, resulting from the existence of the evaporitic Salt Range Formation [32]. The SR itself emerged following the movement of the Potwar Plateau towards south, supported by an E-W striking and down to the north basement normal fault [33].…”

Section: Geological Settingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Unraveling Sources and Climate Conditions Prevailing during the Deposition of Neoproterozoic Evaporites Using Coupled Chemistry and Boron Isotope Compositions (δ11B): The Example of the Salt Range, Punjab, Pakistan

Hussain

Han

et al. 2021

Minerals

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In this study, the ion concentrations (K+, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl−, SO42−, Br−, NO3−, and B3+) and boron isotope compositions (δ11B) of 34 halite and brines samples from the Neoproterozoic Salt Range Formation, Punjab, Pakistan were studied. Relation among B3+ vs. Mg2+, B3+ vs. SO42−, δ11B vs. B3+, and δ11B vs K+ were observed, they indicated that these elements originate from multiple sources and the end members were identified as seawater, B desorption from clays, and meteoric precipitation. Halite samples of the area under study displayed a Na-HCO3-type to Ca-Cl type sedimentary basin of deposition, on δ11B vs. 1/B plot. Molar ratios of B/Cl vs. δ11B revealed the addition of B in some of the studied samples from desorption of clay minerals. This type of diagenetic desorption of B from clays is the consequence of a stress driven mechanism, generated in the proximity of a decollement zone. Results confirm that the number of B stable isotopes that fractionate between the brine and the halite is low. The halite δ11B from the Salt Range Formation vary from +2.1 to +24.4‰, compared to +17.3 to +26.1‰ in the salt pool brines, and suggest that boron isotope compositions are controlled by the δ11B of the B sources. The positive relationship between the boron content and the corresponding δ11B indicates a higher salinity and drier paleoclimate conditions during the formation process, associated with a high evaporation rate in the Late Neoproterozoic time. Presence of elevated δ11B in the present study, demonstrate compatibility with other marine basins of the world, arising the need for further investigations to better characterize the 11B-enriching processes.

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Section: Geological Settingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Unraveling Sources and Climate Conditions Prevailing during the Deposition of Neoproterozoic Evaporites Using Coupled Chemistry and Boron Isotope Compositions (δ11B): The Example of the Salt Range, Punjab, Pakistan

Hussain

Han

et al. 2021

Minerals

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“…In the KB, the Eocene rocks extend up to 40 km in the NS direction. The basin is more complex and displays more geological variations compared to the Potwar Richards et al, 2015). basin.…”

Section: Fig 2 (A)mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…4. Study area and distribution of informalsub-units of the salt range formation in the Khewra mine (afterHussain et al, 2020;Richards et al, 2015).…”

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confidence: 99%

An Overview of Pakistan Rock Salt Resources and Their Chemical Characterization

Hussain¹,

Han

et al. 2021

Pak. j. sci. ind. res. Ser. A: phys. sci.

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Rock salt is of importance for both humans and industries. In this study, we discussed the main salt deposits in Pakistan by evaluating the total reserves as well as the rock salt annual production and by characterizing their chemical composition (Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, B+, K+, Li+, Cl-, SO42-, Br- and NO3-). Our objectives were to document their impurity, water-insoluble matter and moisture contents to ultimately discuss whether the halite in Pakistan, in its natural form, is safe for human consumption. Pakistan rock salt deposits are located in two distinct regions: the Salt Range area in the Potwar sub-basin with huge Precambrian salt deposits and the Eocene Bahadurkhel/Kohat salts in the Kohat sub-basin. Total reserves are estimated over tens of billion tons with an annual production of about 3,534,075 metric tons in 2017-Results show that the halite of the salt range area is purer than the Bahadurkhel/Kohat salts with purity levels (expressed as NaCl) of 99 and 95 wt. %, respectively. Gypsum represents one of the main impurities in halite for both regions, while potash salts (>9 wt. %) are observed in the Salt Range area, K contents are very low in the Kohat salts. Although the halite moisture content is similar for both regions, impurities contents are higher (>5%) for the Kohat salts, arising the need for their purification prior to eventual human consumption.

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“…An ancient example of a thick, laterally extensive evaporite containing significant quantities of bittern salts is the Salt Range Formation in northern Pakistan (Jaumé and Lillie, 1988;Richards et al, 2015). It is comprised of a thick crystalline halite intercalated with bands of potash marl overlain by a gypsiferous marl and gypsum dolomite (Ghazi et al, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is comprised of a thick crystalline halite intercalated with bands of potash marl overlain by a gypsiferous marl and gypsum dolomite (Ghazi et al, 2012). The Salt Range Formation acts as a detachment horizon for the distal foreland fold-thrust belt of the South Potwar Basin, which is being driven by Himalayan orogenic deformation (far-field stresses) and gravity gliding (near field stresses) (Jaumé and Lillie, 1988;Davis and Lillie, 1994;Richards et al, 2015). Ages of the Salt Range Formation are poorly constrained with trilobite trace fossils in the directly overlying Khewra Sandstone establishing the upper boundary as early Cambrian and the Precambrian metasedimentary basement rocks of the Indian Shield forming the lower boundary (Gee and Gee, 1989;Khan et al, 1986;Schindewolf and Seilacher, 1955).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Deformation recorded in polyhalite from evaporite detachments revealed by ⁴⁰Ar ∕ ³⁹Ar dating

et al. 2021

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Abstract. The Salt Range Formation is an extensive evaporite sequence in northern Pakistan that has acted as the primary detachment accommodating Himalayan orogenic deformation from the north. This rheologically weak formation forms a mylonite in the Khewra Mine, where it accommodates approximately 40 km displacement and is comprised of intercalated halite and potash salts and gypsiferous marls. Polyhalite [K2Ca2Mg(SO4)4⚫2H2O] grains taken from potash marl and crystalline halite samples are used as geochronometers to date the formation and identify the closure temperature of the mineral polyhalite using the 40Ar/39Ar step-heating laser and furnace methods. The diffusion characteristics measured for two samples of polyhalite are diffusivity (D0), activation energy (Ea), and %39Ar. These values correspond to a closure temperature of ca. 254 and 277 ∘C for a cooling rate of 10 ∘C Myr−1. 40Ar/39Ar age results for both samples did not return any reliable crystallisation age. This is not unexpected as polyhalite is prone to 40Ar* diffusion loss and the evaporites have experienced numerous phases of deformation resetting the closed K/Ar system. An oldest minimum heating step age of ∼514 Ma from sample 06-3.1 corresponds relatively well to the established early Cambrian age of the formation. Samples 05-P2 and 05-W2 have measured step ages and represent a deformation event that partially reset the K/Ar system based on oldest significant ages between ca. 381 and 415 Ma. We interpret the youngest measured step ages, between ca. 286 and 292 Ma, to represent the maximum age of deformation-induced recrystallisation. Both the youngest and oldest measured step ages for samples 05-P2 and 05-W2 occur within the time of a major unconformity in the area. These dates may reflect partial resetting of the K/Ar system from meteoric water infiltration and recrystallisation during this non-depositional time. Otherwise, they may result from mixing of Ar derived by radiogenic decay after Cambrian precipitation with partially reset Ar from pervasive Cenozoic deformation and physical recrystallisation.

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Macrostructures vs microstructures in evaporite detachments: An example from the Salt Range, Pakistan

Cited by 15 publications

References 32 publications

Unraveling Sources and Climate Conditions Prevailing during the Deposition of Neoproterozoic Evaporites Using Coupled Chemistry and Boron Isotope Compositions (δ11B): The Example of the Salt Range, Punjab, Pakistan

Unraveling Sources and Climate Conditions Prevailing during the Deposition of Neoproterozoic Evaporites Using Coupled Chemistry and Boron Isotope Compositions (δ11B): The Example of the Salt Range, Punjab, Pakistan

An Overview of Pakistan Rock Salt Resources and Their Chemical Characterization

Deformation recorded in polyhalite from evaporite detachments revealed by ⁴⁰Ar ∕ ³⁹Ar dating

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Macrostructures vs microstructures in evaporite detachments: An example from the Salt Range, Pakistan

Cited by 15 publications

References 32 publications

Unraveling Sources and Climate Conditions Prevailing during the Deposition of Neoproterozoic Evaporites Using Coupled Chemistry and Boron Isotope Compositions (δ11B): The Example of the Salt Range, Punjab, Pakistan

Unraveling Sources and Climate Conditions Prevailing during the Deposition of Neoproterozoic Evaporites Using Coupled Chemistry and Boron Isotope Compositions (δ11B): The Example of the Salt Range, Punjab, Pakistan

An Overview of Pakistan Rock Salt Resources and Their Chemical Characterization

Deformation recorded in polyhalite from evaporite detachments revealed by 40Ar ∕ 39Ar dating

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Product

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Deformation recorded in polyhalite from evaporite detachments revealed by ⁴⁰Ar ∕ ³⁹Ar dating