Malakand Field Visit - Geology

Malakand Geology Field Visit

Geology Department - University of Peshawar

Malakand Field Visit - The Story

Geology field trip to Malakand, area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, was planned on 9th, July, 2022 by Geology Department, University of Peshawar, under the supervision of Mr. Naveed Anjum, Professor at Peshawar University. We set out to Malakand early in the morning with the crew. It was sweltering hot summer days. The sun was blazing crimson. Even though it was really scorching outside, the Geology Department students and I still had a great time and discovered a lot whilst we were there. Trip to Malakand was worthy of learning new geological trick and discover geology in natural wonders. The trip's goal was to introduce the various fluvial features of the Jalala area as well as the metamorphic rocks of the Malakand area.

Field Work Geology

Field Work in Geology entails Geology as practiced through direct observation of outcrops, exposures, landscapes, and drill cores in the field. Field geologists examine rocks and rock materials in their natural habitat. The Geology Students benefit from geological fieldwork in order to generate new ideas. It provides a forum for discussion and facilitates for the application of new ideas. The rocks do not change; what changes is how we perceive them. Field studies provide students with first-hand experiences that promote critical thinking, long-term retention, transferability, positive attitudes toward science, appreciation for nature, and increased scientific curiosity.

 

Malakand Area Geology

Jalala, a district of Mardan, is located about 80 kilometres north of Peshawar, along the Peshawar-Swat Highway. Jalala's sediments are made up of Quaternary-aged horizontal beds of clay, silt, and sand. Jalala formation lies along the northern margin of Peshawar Basin. it contained sediments of lacustrine origin. the sediments sequence consist alternating layers of clay, silt and sand. The upper part lack distinct bedding due to cover of alluvium and vegetation.

    Up north, beyond the Peshawar basin, lies the Alpuri Group, which forms the northern margin of Indian Plate. the Alpuri group is divided into four other formations:

1. The Marghazar Formation
2. Kashala Formation
3. Saidu Formation
4. Nikani Formation

    At the base, schists that are pelitic, amphibolitic, and psammitic, as well as phlogopite marbles and amphibolites, make up the Marghazar formation. The Kashala formation, which contains of marbles, dolomitic marbles, calc-phyllites, and garnetiferous calc-schists, lies on top of it. Black graphitic phyllites of the Saidu formation and marbles and dolomitic marbles of the Nikanai Ghar formation are found on top of the Kashala formation, respectively.

Malakand Field Objectives:

The main objective of  Field Work Malakand are:

•     To study various rock type exposed around the northern boundary of Peshawar Basin and northern margin of the Indian Plate.
•     To study the different lithological variations
•     To study and identify the various type of Schistose Rocks in the Alpuri Group
•     To clarify the regional Geological Picture

 

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Download Malakand Field Report from HERE