Presence of Main Centeral Thrust in the Tectonic Domain of Northwestern Himalaya in Pakistan
Abstract
The tectonic model of the northwestern Himalaya remained obscure for years for lack of demarcation of the Indus Suture Zone (ISZ) and Main Central Thrust (MCT) which are the two important tectonic features of the rest of the Himalaya. The problem of the ISZ was solved about a decade ago by locating two suture zones, the Main Mantle Thrust (MMT) and the Main Karakoram Thrust (MKT) with an intervening Kohistan island arc (Tahirkheli et al., 1976, 1979). The location of MCT remained a debatable issue because of its discontinuity beyond west (Simla) Himalaya towards northwest in Kashmir and northern Pakistan. As a result, the Main Boundary Thrust and the Panjal Thrust in Kashmir and NW Himalaya, respectively, were considered as analogues of MCT.
This paper discusses a newly discovered deep level thrust named "Shontargali Thrust” which on the basis of geographic location and tectono-stratigraphic setup, compares favourably with the Main Central Thrust.
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