Dating and depositional environment of the Tredian Formation, western Salt Range, Pakistan.

The presence of age diagnostic spores and bissacate pollen preserved in the Tredian Formation of the Nammal Gorge and Zaluch Nala sections represent an Anisian age. The comparative study of the spores and pollen taxa of the Nammal and Zaluch gorges reveal weak correlation. This weak correlation can be explained by limited number of samples and low resolution sampling. The palynofacies analysis of the Nammal and Zaluch Gorge sections suggests heterolithic proximal oxic shelfal depositional settings for the Tredian Formation, however the presence of amorphous marine organic matter, sporangial mass and absence of woody matrix in the Zaluch Gorge section, suggests marine incursion and therefore relatively deeper settings as compared to the Nammal Gorge section. The deepening of the Tredian facies in Zaluch section suggest progradation towards south west in the western Salt Range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]