Sulaiman Mountain
Sulaiman Mountain (Persian: سليمان) range is located in central Pakistan, extending southward about 280 miles (450 km) from the Gumal Pass to just north of Jacobabad, separating the North-West Frontier Province and Punjab from Balochistan. Its heights gradually decrease toward the south, with summits averaging 6,000–7,000 feet (1,800–2,100 m), the highest being the twin peaks (30 miles [48 km] from the Gumal Pass) called Takht-i Sulaiman, or Solomon's Throne, which legend connects with King Solomon's visit to Pakistan; the higher of the peaks, at 18,481 feet (5,633 m), is the site of a Muslim Ziyarat (shrine) visited annually by many pilgrims. The range's eastern face dips steeply to the Indus River, but on the west the range declines more gradually. Juniper and edible pines abound in the north and olives in the centre, but vegetation is scarce in the south. The Ghat, Zao, Chuhar Khel Dhana, and Sakhi Sarwar are the principal passes in the north. In the south, west of Dera Ghazi Khan, lies the hill station of Fort Munro (6,303 feet [1,921 m]).
The Sulaiman Foldbelt, a north-south trending mountain chain is situated in the middle of Pakistan with three fold physiographic division; namely the Sulaiman Foldbelt in the west, the Indus Foredeep in the middle and Punjab Platform in the east (Figure 1). The Sulaiman Foldbelt consists of shale, limestone, and sandstone strata of Mesozoic and younger age. Zindapir Anticlinorium is an integral part of the Sulaiman Foldbelt. It is marked by low altitude rocks, which are built up of Paleocene through Plio-Pleistocene marine sediments of the Indo-Pakistan Plate and is overlying by thick Siwalik. Alluvial deposits brought by Indus River and its tributaries cover the Indus Foredeep and the adjoining west dipping Punjab Platform.
Field observations indicate that the structures style of Zindapir Anticlinorium is characterized by high angle faults. These faults are generally north-south trending. Additionally at places en-echelon features and splay faults, which truncate the regional fault obliquely are noticeable.
Based on interpretation of earthquakes data supplemented with the field observations it is considered that basement of the Indo-Pakistan Plate in the region of the Zindapir Anticlinorium is involved in the structural deformation of the region.
Legends
The legend of the Sulaiman mountain range is east of Quetta, overlooking the plain of the Indus river. The highest peak (11,295 feet) is called Takht-i Sulaiman, Solomon's Throne; Ibn Battuta names it Koh-i Sulaiman. Of this it is related, that the Prophet of God, Hazrat Sulaiman (peace be upon him) climbed this mountain and looked out over the land of South Asia, which was then covered with darkness - but he turned back without descending into this new frontier, and left only the mountain which is named after him. (From Ibn Battuta)
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Articles to be merged since September 2006 | Mountain ranges of Pakistan