Lolab Fm
Type Locality and Naming
The type location is in Lolab in Kupwara district, Kashmir Lolab Valley, Kashmir. [Original Publication: Shah, S.K.1968. A lithostratigraphic classification of Lower Palaeozoic slate group of Pohru Valley of North Western Kashmir. The Jammu University Review, 2(3): 10-17].
[Figure 1: Geological map of part of Lidder Valley (partially modified after Srikantia and Bhargava, 1983)]
Synonyms: Machhal Formation (Kumar et al., 1987).
Lithology and Thickness
Clayey sandstone. The Lolab Formation comprises siltstone, shale and local sandstone beds. Sporadically it is carbonaceous. Val Member (Quartzite+ shale+ siltstone); Razdain Member (rhythmic alteration of quartzite + shale); Putshai Member (Shale, siltstone, trilobites fragments); Kalaruch Member (greywacke / sandstone)
Relationships and Distribution
Lower contact
It is the oldest formation of the Hapatnar Group that rests over the crystalline rocks of the Salkhala Gr along nonconformity. However, there are two other named earliest Cambrian formations below the Lolab Fm according to an earlier summary by B. Singh – and the Loab Fm is cited as conformably overlying the Machhal Fm of earliest Cambrian.
Upper contact
The Shumal Formation conformably succeeds the Lolab Fm in the Lolab Valley.
Regional extent
Kashmir Basin
GeoJSON
Fossils
Trilobite: Redlichia takooensis is found in basal part and Chittidilla plana and Yuehsienszella szechuanensis in upper part. Brachiopod: Neobolus sp. Trace Fossils are Planolites cf. reticularis; P. cf. beveriyensis; Gordia sp.; Monomorphichnus sp.; Phycodes pedum; Skolithos sp.; Astropolichnus spp; Bergaueria sp.; Small Shelly Fossils (SSFs): Coleoloides typicalis; Protohertzina, Taliella, Sponge spicule: Allonia (Tiwari, 1989).
Age
Depositional setting
The common sedimentary structures are low angled cross-bedding, flaser bedding and ripple bedding in sandy beds.
Additional Information