PETROLOGY AND GEOCHEMISTRY OF THE LATE CRETACEOUS PAB FORMATION, WESTERN SULAIMAN FOLD- THRUST- BELT, PAKISTAN: IMPLICATIONS FOR PROVENANCE AND PALEO-WEATHERING

Late Cretaceous sandstone succession of the Pab Formation in western Sulaiman Fold Thrust belt Pakistan was investigated for petrology and bulk rock chemistry to determine its source terrain, paleo-weathering tectonic setting. The formation is mainly comprised with reddish maroon color shale arenaceous limestone. Texturally, fine coarse grained, sub-angular well-rounded moderately well sorted. petrologically geochemically classified as quartz arenite sub lithic arenite. detritus derived from plutonic acidic source. QtFL QmFLt suggests that recycled orogeny Craton Interior setting were major sources sediments. Geochemical models support quartzose sedimentary suggest deposition a passive continental margin Average values chemical indices are CIA 59% CIW 67% CIV 12.70%, which moderate high degree weathering area, may reflect humid climate condition area. petrographic study geochemical demonstrate mostly composed mature low-grade metamorphic rocks terrain deposited on Indian plate Tethys Ocean.