Tredian Fm

Musakhel Gr – middle formation: Holotype section: Zaluch Nallah (proposed by Kazmi & Abbasi, 2008). Hypo: Tappan Wahan section, and Kundal (Khisor Range). Author: E.R.Gee, 1945 (as in Kummel, 1966). Reference section: Lithology in Tappan Wahan is same as in the type section. At Kundal located at the northern tip of Khisor Range (right bank of Kurram River) the formation is directly overlain by Miocene rocks where prolific tar seepage, with several pools along a steep nallah bed is found. The seepage is mainly from Khatkiara Member, which is soaked with tar. The tar is biodegraded. The rocks dip towards Bannu Depression.

Sandstone. It is essentially a non-marine sequence of thin to thick bedded variegated, micaceous sandstone with ripple marks and slump structures in the lower part, and massive bedded white sandstone in the upper part with some interbedded shale. The formation exhibits typically same lithological characteristics wherever it is exposed. It has been divided into:

i. Landa Member (Kummel, 1966) - pinkish, reddish grey micaceous sandstone, thin to thick bedded with ripple marks and slump structures. 19 m thick in Zaluch Nallah and 29 m in the Tappan Wahan section.

ii. Khatkiara Member (Danilchik & Shah, 1967)- massive thick-bedded white sandstone that grades into the overlying Kingriali Fm. It is 59 m thick in Zaluch Nallah and 38 m in the Tappan Wahan section.

Thickness: 67-78 m . The formation is 78 m thick in Zaluch Nallah (WSR) and 67 m thick in Tappan Wahan section (Khisor Range).

Contains spores, pollens and wood fragments; the significant ones are Aratrisporites paenulatus, Calamospora, Cyciogranisporites arenosus, Falcipotites stabilis and Platysaccus queenslandi.

Essentially non-marine.