Integrated paleoenvironmental, bio- and sequence-stratigraphic analysis of the late Thanetian Lockhart Limestone in the Nammal Gorge section, western Salt Range, Pakistan
Keywords:
Thanetian; Lockhart limestone; Carbonate ramp; Salt Range; Foraminifera.Abstract
The paleodepositional system dynamics of the Lockhart Limestone are elucidated in the Western Salt Range with the help of microfacies analysis. Three facies associations are recognised in downslope, along a distally steepened carbonate ramp platform. These facies associations correspond to inner ramp, middle ramp and ramp slope settings. The age-diagnostic foraminiferal species recognized consisted of Miscellanea miscella, Ranikothalia sindensis, Discocyclina ranikotensis, Alveolina vredenburgi and Assilina dandotica. Based on this larger foraminiferal assemblage a Late Thanetian age has been assigned to the Lockhart Limestone. The biostratigraphy implies that ramp carbonates were deposited in a single third order depositional cycles in a high stand systems tract.
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