170 WYNNE: GEOLOGY OF THE SALT RANGE IN THE PUNJAB. 



Section VII. — The Kahun Plateau. 



This wide portion of the table-land of the Salt Range is almost 



entirely occupied by the nummulitic limestone, 

 Description. 



whicH IS not unfrequently eherty, as in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Dilwdl. The maximum heights of the plateau are at nearly 

 the same level, and the central part is occupied by flat east and west 

 valleys, with limestone ridges between, the southern edge being tilted 

 somewhat and sloping to the north with the bedding of the rocks. The 

 valleys are occupied by fertile soil washed from the higher portions. 

 With regard to fossils, the limestone is quite the same as that to the east. 



All along the northern side of this plateau, the lower (Nahan) beds 



of the tertiary sandstone series dip from it 

 Northern side. 

 Tertiary sandstones. northwards, passing under the Potwar country at 



angles varying from 30" to 50°, These beds have not at all the general 

 look of the Murree or of the Bakrala pass rocks ; the purple sandstones of 

 the latter and general purplish colour are both wanting. The lowest beds 

 are strong grey sandstones, in places greenish, having a calculated 

 thickness of 4,500 feet. Above these comes the '' red clayey zone," 

 between 300 and 300 feet in thickness, and then the " orange and grey 

 series," with some conglomerate beds, in places a good deal contorted, 

 and occupying much of the country to the north. Just on the flanks 

 of the range there is in places a set of more recent-looking conglome- 

 rates and sandstones, with a steep dip to the north, and resting with 

 doubtful conformity upon the older tertiary sandstones. These may 

 probably be referred to a post-tertiary period. As is usual in such ground, 

 ravines or " Jchudderas " prevail extensively in the lower situations, and 

 the harder sandstones rising on the flanks of the range form numerous, 

 more or less continuous, escarpments. 



The eastern end of the limestone of the Kahun plateau, as already 

 mentioned, forms an open anticlinal curve, the 



Eastern part. 



axis of which sinks to the eastward, so tliat it is 



( no ) 



