Structural evaluation of Margalla Hills in the vicinity of Shah Allah Ditta area Islamabad (P-0892) (MFN 3982)

Abstract

This research work is based on the structural evaluation and problems associated with the geological mapping of Margalla Hills, Shah Allah Ditta area Islamabad. In this area repetition and miss matches of the strata indicates the presence of folds and faults at a map able scale. Main Boundary Thrust, Gramthoon Thrust and Khanpur Thrust are the major structures present in this area. MBT is the frontal thrust marked in the field by faulted contact of Jurassic Samanasuk Formation and Murree Formation. Outcrop folds are observed in the lower member of Margalla Formation containing this bed of limestone, Marl and Patala Formation. These Outcrop scales folds are formed as secondary fold in the major folded structures due to competency contrast and strain accommodation. The chemical weathering of limestone had obscured the primary bedding foliation so structural mapping in this area through satellite imagery could yield wrong orientation results, so it must have to check in field. The fracture are very well developed while often reveals to be the bedding so proper care must be taken for advance geological mapping in this area.