Preliminary Report on the Permo-Trias of Kashmir

A team of Japanese and Indian Geologists carried out detailed studies of the Permo-Triassic sections in the Srinagar region, Kashmir, during 1969. This report embodies certain conclusions arrived at in the light of these studies. The section at Guryul Ravine is described in detail, being the best in the Srinagar region. Lithological and faunistic comparisons with other areas examined are also referred to. The different faunistic zones of the Lower Trias of this area are compared with other important extra-Indian occurrences. The Zewan Series (Permian) at Guryul Ravine is succeeded by Lower Triassic beds. The arenaceous sediments pass into calcareous through argillaceous sediments. There is neither an intraformational nor interformational unconformity indicative of a hiatus in deposition. Many characteristic Permian elements survived in the lower part of the Lower Trias, constituting a zone of mixed fauna of Permo-Trias. This suggests a rapid faunal change from Permian to Lower Trias but not discontinuous. The lithology however supports a gradual change from Palaeozoic to Mesozoic. The advent of Lower Trias is marked by the appearance of characteristic species like Claraia stachei (BITTNER), SPATH in the dark shales. The paper also records a number of important Lower Triassic ammonoids (Otoceras, Glyptophiceras, etc.), which were so far not known from the Srinagar region. Considering the evolutionary position of some of the species of Otoceras, the boundary between the Permian and Trias is tentatively placed just below the advent of Claraia stachei.