3D Geological Model of Pakistan

May 07, 2020    Comment   

3D Geological Model of Pakistan

We are glad to proportion you that our co-founder, Muhammad Qasim Mehmood with his magnificence fellows have organized a geological version which became presented at All Pakistan Science Fest hosted with the aid of UET Science Society at 20/04/17.

Here is the short introduction of model:

It is a 3D geological model of Pakistan that suggests specifically tectonic department of mountain degrees of Pakistan. The version demonstrates the predominant/well-known deposits of Pakistan like Petroleum, Minerals/Gemstones, Uranium, Coal along with different geographical functions like dams and rivers.

It is a non-operating version (length: five?6 feet approximately) supported especially via wooden forums and other cementing fabric. It is using thermocol sheets, maps, big paper sheets, graphs, paints and mechanical and medical goods as in keeping with the requirement of a specific version.

This unique version cover the topics of Plate Tectonics, Structural Geology, Economic Geology and others. Also the scholars have added the future components of Geo-economics like Kalabagh Dam, CPEC direction, oil and gasoline wells in Baluchistan and offshore wells in Arabian Sea near Gwadar.

The version is showing the following geological aspects of Pakistan:

1. Major Geological Basins of Pakistan i.E. Indus Basin and Balochistan Basin

2. Major Thrusts in Northern Pakistan

     Main Karakoram Thrust (MKT)

     Main Mantle Thrust (MMT)

     Main Central Thrust (MCT)

     Main Boundary Thrust (MBT)

     Salt Range Thrust / Himalayan Frontal Thrust

3.  Mountain Ranges of Pakistan

     Some mountain ranges of Pakistan is shown on the model located in North-West to              South-West of Pakistan which has important geological significance in distinguishing            Indus Basin from Balochistan Basin

4.  Famous Peaks of Pakistan

     Mount Godwin-Austen (k2) - World's second maximum height

     Nanga Parbat ( The Killer Mountain) - World's ninth highest height

     Tirich Mir - highest height in Hindukush Range

five. Major Fuel of Pakistan

     Oil wells in Potwar Plateau and in Balochistan

     Gas wells in Sui, Balochistan - biggest gas reserve in Pakistan

     Coal reserves in Thar - World's 16th biggest coal reserve in Pakistan

     Uranium reserves in Siwalik Hills west of Dera Ghazi Khan

6. Famous Gem Stone of Pakistan

Emerald from Mingora, Swat

    Aquamarine fromHunza Valley,Gilgit-Baltistan    Tourmaline from Skardu District, Gilgit Baltistan

And two future potentialities for the improvement of Geo-economics of Pakistan:

1. Kalabagh Dam (to be made)

2. China Pakistan Economic Corridor -CPEC (construction under process) western route.

Following are some of the maps (received from internet) which we keep in mind all through the making ready of our model

Map showing Geological Basins of Pakistan

Source: GSP

Tectonic Map of Pakistan

Source: GSP

Political Map of Pakistan

Source: Unknown

Tectonic Map of Pakistan & India showing major regional thrusts

Source: Unknown

CPEC map

Source: CPEC website And some photos captured during the preparation of model

Cutting of thermocol sheet

coloring thermocol sheet with finishing paint

Hasan creating "finishing of paint" with paint spatula scraper

final look of Stage 1

Umer Amin sketching map on model and fixing sticks for projections and heights

sketches of mountain ranges and river tributaries and sticks for average height of each range and peak

all things are made perfect due to plotting of each point according to longitude and latitude

a great Atlas Book

maps and maps

a rough look of model showing mountain ranges made with Plaster of Paris

Completion of Stage 2

team work!!!

after using distemper paint

And finally after painting and drawing river tributaries, fixing sign boards of cities and much more, the model is:

3D Geological Model of Pakistan

3D Geological Model of Pakistan

Legend for the model

Geological tools, Gemstones, Rocks and Fuel (Coal and Crude Oil)

Featuring Qasim Mehmood (Co founder of Learning Geology), on left

and

Rana Faizan Saleem, my class mate and Founder of Geology for Beginners

Students of Institute of Geology, University of the Punjab

"Why I left Electrical Engineering and choose Geology?" with Rana Faizan

May 05, 2020    Comment   

"Why I left Electrical Engineering and choose Geology?" with Rana Faizan

When I was studying in the 8^th grade, my father had a wish to make me an Electrical Engineer. Honestly speaking at that time I have no idea about my future goals and even I didn’t knew anything about Electrical Engineering.

One day I was in my class, my teacher gave us a lecture on future planning which really inspired me to think about future aims. This was the first time I started thinking about my future goals. I reached home and asked my father about this concern. He advised me to choose Electrical Engineering in future and told me that this is his dream about me. At that time, I was not familiar with the Geology. Days were passed and I completed my 10^th grade exams with good percentage and took admission in 11^th grade (pre-engineering), and I started study hard to fulfill my parent’s dream.

Then a day come, my father was sharing his university life experiences with me and this was the first time I heard about Geology because his hostel mates were Geology students. My father told me about the geology field work experience that his friends shared with him. And his friend is currently settled in Canada and working as a Geologist. He told me about some more people and some of them are now my professors.

These all things sums up and gave me inspiration about geology, I searched about geology on internet and I found it an interesting field as geologists ruin tourism in their daily life. They can work in natural resource companies, environmental consulting companies, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and universities. Many geologists do field work at least part of the time. Others spend their time in laboratories, classrooms or offices. All geologists prepare reports, do calculations and use computers. I found that geology is a practical and professional field, all sciences and engineering required geology work in some disciplines. Another thing is the study of mountains, different rocks, minerals, structures and more over their observations in field with naked eye is so interesting. Moreover thin section study and geological mapping was another cause that inspired me to pursue my career in this field.

Due to all these things, I mentally prepared myself to choose geology in future but my father wanted me to become an engineer.

After few months, I completed my 12^th grade with good percentage and I applied for electrical engineering as per my father’s wish. And I also applied for geology as per my wish. Unfortunately, I didn’t get admission in any geology institute and get admission in electrical engineering. My parents were very happy because their wish was near to fulfill at that time but I was not so happy because I wanted admission in geology. Then unwillingly, I have to study the electrical engineering. This was little bit interesting subject for me especially circuits. I liked working on C++ programming. I completed my first semester with good CGPA and got 2^nd position but still I wasn’t satisfied in this field.

Next year, when I was studying 2^nd semester in engineering, the admissions in geology get opened and again I tried to get admission in this field but my parents, relatives and friends even my engineering professors advised me that I should not leave this field (engineering) now because that decision would effected my future and one year of my study would be wasted. I listened to my heart voice and applied for admission and I was surprised to know that I got admission in geology. I left engineering and join geology field. My friends and professors of engineering institute asked me again not to leave this field. I still remembered, I simply told them that I don’t want high marks, I want to fulfil my interests so that I can give my 100% in that work. I thought what if I done electrical engineering with good percentages and get job. But what if I am not satisfied with my decision then what is the benefit of that job? Geology may not give me highly paid jobs easily as I could find in electrical engineering but I would definitely find peace and satisfaction in geology.

Me (left) discussing geological map of Pakistan with my class mate (right).

Photo © Rana Faizan

Describing about Salt Range (Sub-Himalayas) model

Photo © Rana Faizan

Now, I’m studying geology and I am fully satisfied with my decision. I have completed my two and half years of bachelor’s degree with three field works and I have learnt many things about geology. I found all things as same as I imagined, when I was in 12^th grade. This was my dream that one day I will become a geologist and will study from the same institute from my father’s friends have studied. Everyone has its own interest. Some like engineering, some like medical and some go for other. My purpose here is not to degrade anyone especially electrical engineering students, no doubt it is also a good field as technology is becoming a need of everyone. So, I have an advice for everyone, always listen to your own decisions and do not bother what other say.

Selfie at Harno River, Abbottabad, Pakistan.

Photo © Rana Faizan

Had a rainy fieldwork at Indus River, Pakistan

Photo © Rana Faizan

I still remember a quote:

"Think100timesbefore youtake a decision,

But once thatdecision is taken, stand by it as one man."

We have a lot of hidden potential that we don’t know. And if we know then we don’t utilize it because we fear what people would say. More than that there is our own voice shouting inside that you can do this. What if we stop listening to those voices and listen only to our heart.

I have observed many geological things during field work and some pictures below are describing about the beauty of geology. I have many pictures related to rocks, minerals, structures and other features. Some beautiful pictures are given below:

Hammering slates

Photo © Rana Faizan

Plunging anticline fold observed during fieldwork.

Photo © Rana Faizan

Enjoying fieldwork after mapping sedimentary area

Photo © Rana Faizan

Note: This article is originally written and contributed by Rana Faizan. You can also contribute your article by sending us at geologylearn@gmail.com. We would love to share your field experiences with our readers. See guidelines here.