Evaluation of crustal deformation and associated strong motions induced by the 2022 Paktika earthquake,Afghanistan

The 2022 Paktika earthquake(moment magnitude:6.2) occurred on June 22,2022,near the border between the Khost and Paktika Provinces of Afghanistan,causing heavy damage and casualties in Paktika Province.This study evaluated the crustal deformation and associated strong motions induced by the Paktika earthquake.Crustal deformations were determined using the Differential Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar(DInSAR) technique and three-dimensional finite element method(3DFEM) and the results were compared.The permanent ground displacements obtained from the DInSAR and 3D-FEM analyses were similar in terms of amplitude and areal distribution.Strong motions were estimated using the 3D-FEM with and without considering regional topography.The estimations of maximum ground acceleration,velocity,and permanent ground deformations were compared among each other as well as with those inferred from failures of some simple structures in the Spera and Gayan districts.The inferred maximum ground acceleration and velocity from the failed adobe structures were more than 300 Gal and 50 cm/s,respectively,nearly consistent with the estimates obtained using empirical methods.The empirical method yielded a maximum ground acceleration of 347 Gal,whereas the maximum ground velocity was approximately50 cm/s.In light of these findings,some surface expressions of crustal deformations and strong ground motions,such as failures of soil and rock slopes and rockfalls,have been presented.The rock slope failures in the epicentral area were consistent with those observed during various earthquakes in Afghanistan and worldwide.

Assessing the impact of climate change on agricultural production in central Afghanistan

Afghanistan has faced extreme climatic crises such as drought,rising temperature,and scarce precipitation,and these crises will likely worsen in the future.Reduction in crop yield can affect food security in Afghanistan,where the majority of population and economy are completely dependent on agriculture.This study assessed the interaction between climate change and crop yield in Kabul of Afghanistan during the reference(1990–2020)and future(2025–2100)periods.Climate data(1990–2020)were collected from four meteorological stations and three local organizations,and wheat yield data(1990–2020)were acquired from the United States Agriculture Department.Data during the reference period(1990–2020)were used for the validation and calibration of the statistical downscaling models such as the Statistical Downscaling Model(SDSM)and Long Ashton Research Station Weather Generator(LARS-WG).Furthermore,the auto-regression model was used for trend analysis.The results showed that an increase in the average annual temperature of 2.15℃,2.89℃,and 4.13℃will lead to a reduction in the wheat yield of 9.14%,10.20%,and 12.00%under Representative Concentration Pathway(RCP)2.6,RCP4.5,and RCP8.5 during the future period(2025–2100),respectively.Moreover,an increase in the annual maximum temperature of 1.79℃,2.48℃,and 3.74℃also causes a significant reduction in the wheat yield of 2.60%,3.60%,and 10.50%under RCP2.6,RCP4.5,and RCP8.5,respectively.Furthermore,an increase in the annual minimum temperature of 2.98℃,2.23℃,and 4.30℃can result in an increase in the wheat yield of 6.50%,4.80%,and 9.30%under RCP2.6,RCP4.5,and RCP8.5,respectively.According to the SDSM,the decrease of the average monthly precipitation of 4.34%,4.10%,and 5.13%results in a decrease in the wheat yield of 2.60%,2.36%,and 3.18%under RCP2.6,RCP4.5,and RCP8.5,respectively.This study suggests that adaptation strategies can be applied to minimize the consequences of climate change on agricultural production.

The June 2022 Khost earthquake in southeastern Afghanistan:A complicated shallow slip event revealed with InSAR

On June 22,2022,the Mw6.2 earthquake in southeastern Afghanistan caused a severe disaster.We used the Sentinel-1A ascending and descending track images of the European Space Agency and interferometric synthetic aperture radar(In SAR)to obtain the coseismic surface deformation field of the earthquake,which showed that the earthquake caused complex ruptures of multiple faults and various types.Using the dislocation model of the elastic half-space,we determined the focal parameters and slip distribution on the fault plane of this event.The results reveal that:(1)the seismogenic fault of this event is an unknown fault on the northeastern edge of the Katawaz microblock;(2)The slip on the fault plane is mainly in the range of 0—8 km along the dip,with maximum slips about 2 m at a depth of 2 km,which projected on the surface is 69.44°E,32.96°N.This event suggests that,similar to the Chaman,Ghazaband and other large faults,the faults inside the microblock also play an important role in adjusting for the collision stress between India and Europe.

Prevalence of emotional and behavioral problems among schoolchildren in Herat City,Afghanistan

Background:The prevalence of pediatric mental illnesses has been increasing in recent years,with a great potential to impact on individual's functionality and adaptation in adulthood.Objective:This study aims to assess emotional and behavioral problems among schoolchildren in Herat City of Afghanistan.Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted on schoolchildren(grade 5-10),between September and November 2021.Sociodemographic data was collected using a paper-based 14-item structured questionnaire.Data on emotional and behavioral problems was collected using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire(SDQ)based on teachers'and children's report.Statistical analyses were performed in IBM SPSS Statistics(version 27).Results:A total of 418 students,including 190(45.5%)males and 228(54.5%)females with a mean age of 14.1±1.7(11-<18)years were included in the study.The prevalence of students*self-reported total difficulties and prosocial problem were 5.7%and 1.2%,respectively.An insignificant difference was observed between mean total difficulties scores between students'self-reported and teachers'reported SDQ.Gender,grade,concern about shortage of food,and concern about losing house were significantly predicting students'self-reported total difficulties scores.Conclusion:This is the first study to report the prevalence of emotional and behavioral problems among schoolchildren in Herat City,Afghanistan.This,together with relevant global literature,highlight the need to address pediatric mental health,and provide services aimed at preventing,and treating children with these prob­lems around the world.

Establishing a child and adolescent mental health center in Herat,Afghanistan:a project description

Objective:Afghanistan has witnessed a long-lasting 4-decade armed conflict,which together with high levels of poverty and interpersonal violence,resulted in high incidence and prevalence of mental disorders in general population,including children and adolescents.Until mid-2018,there was neither mental health care facility nor a child psychiatrist in Afghanistan.Here,we report the establishment of the first children and adolescents'mental health center(CAMHC)in Herat province of Afghanistan.Methods:In July 2018,CAMHC was initiated at Mental Health Training Center-Herat.CAMHC was initially planned by the International Assistance Mission(IAM)and Herat Public Health Directorate;and financially supported by the Tearfund UK,the United Methodist Committee on Relief and Tearfund Australia.The target population of CAMHC was children and adolescents in Herat and neighboring provinces,healthcare professionals,staff of government and non-governmental organizations,school teachers and community leaders.Results:A group of eight mental health professionals were trained and made the interdisciplinary board for diagnosis and management of mental disorders in children and adolescents.During the initial three-year period,2448 patients,including 1264(51.6%)boys and 1184(48.4%)girls,presented with mental disorders to CAMHC.Diagnosis and management of mental disorders were performed according to standard international protocols.Eighteen awareness-raising seminars were held;2000 leaflets,10000 posters,and 30000 brochures were prepared and distributed;and two short video clips were produced and broadcast via IAM website,social media and local TV channels.A database was developed to house for project data,assessment of outcomes and reporting to stakeholders.Conclusion:Establishment of CAMHC resulted in significant achievements in diagnosis and management of mental disorders among children and adolescents,healthcare staff capacity building,and awareness-raising about mental disorders.Data obtained in CAMHC offers government,mental health professionals and the community the opportunity of improving mental health in the region.

Electricity Sector Transitions in an after War Country： A Review of Afghanistan＇s Electricity

Afghanistan electricity sector has experienced many ups and downs of transitions from 1893 to date. With the growing global interest in Afghanistan rehabilitation, this paper presents an over view of Afghanistan electricity sector which includes the historical development trends, power generation potential, sustainable energy exploitation, electricity policy transition and immature policies experiences, and the legacy of the war. The lack of access to the basic information about Afghanistan power sector was one of the serious concerns of international donors and investors. Still, this information somehow has been kept in official documents wrap up. In this collection, the Afghanistan＇s electricity sector is pictured as a reference for Afghanistan electricity. It can be opening toward primary sources of Afghanistan electricity sector of the lessons learned and asset for researchers interesting in this topic.

Prevalence of visual impairment and related factors in Nangarhar Province of Afghanistan:a cross sectional study

AIM: To determine the prevalence, main causes, and related factors of visual impairment(VI) among people aged 50 y and over in Jalalabad City and four surrounding districts of Nangarhar Province of Afghanistan. METHODS: The data for the population based crosssectional study was collected in 2015. The calculated sample size was 1353, allocated to urban-rural strata using probability proportion to size method. At the end of the study, 1281 people participated in to the study. VI was defined as presenting visual acuity(VA) of less than 6/18 and blindness as VA less than 3/60 in the better eye by using Snellen chart only. Data was analyzed using IBM SPSS 21.0 software.RESULTS: The prevalence of VI was 22.6%(95%CI, 20%-25%) of which 13.9%(95%CI, 12%-16%) was low vision and 8.7%(95%CI, 7%-10%) was blindness. The most common causes of the VI were cataract(52.8%), followed by uncorrected refractive error(URE)(26.9%) and glaucoma(8.6%). Number one cause of the low vision was URE(42%), followed by cataract, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration(AMD) and diabetic retinopathy(DR), while for blindness they are cataract(72%), other posterior segment disorders, glaucoma, URE and AMD. Illiteracy, bad economic status, hypertension and overweight were factors independently associated with both VI and low vision, whereas, age, illiteracy, bad economic status, hypertension and using of sunglasses were independently associated with blindness.CONCLUSION: Cataract, URE, glaucoma, AMD and DR are the leading causes of VI and blindness in the study area. They are mostly avoidable. In order to decrease theburden of VI and blindness in the study area as well as the whole country, it is strongly recommended to apply the prevention policies of VI and blindness.

Supracrustal suite of the Precambrian crystalline crust in the Ghor Province of Central Afghanistan

The Proterozoic pre-Ediacaran metamorphic basement of the southern Tajik （North Afghanistan） con- tinental block and the adjacent Band-e-Bayan zone is exposed in the Ghor Province of Central Afghanistan. It is predominantly composed of the EW-striking supracrustal succession consisting of interbedded felsic schists and gneisses （metapsammites）, amphibolites （metabasalts）, calcite and dolo- mite marbles, The metamorphic facies changes from greenschist in the Band-e-Bayan zone to amphib- olite facies in the Tajik block. The supracrustal rocks of the Band-e-Bayan zone and Tajik block possess common features suggesting that the former represents a tectonized part of the latter. The geochemical characteristics of metapsammites indicate derivation of the clastic material from a continental arc and, partly from a passive continental margin, whereas the composition of metabasalts suggests their possible formation in a continental rift basin. The tectonic setting of supracrustal unit could be interpreted as a back-arc type basin. We presume that the Tajik microcontinent split off the Gondwana supercontinent along an ancient rift zone during the late Paleozoic.

Nitrate contamination in groundwater of Kabul Province,Afghanistan:Reasons behind and conceptual management framework discourse

Groundwater contamination has been on the rise in Afghanistan.It has become a major concern among the policy makers.This paper aims to propose practical options for the management of nitrate contamination in one of Afghanistan’s groundwater polluted provinces,Kabul.The management framework utilized Mann-Kendall and Sen Slope tests to detect nitrate trend and geostatistical analysis option in Arc GIS 10.5 to assess the nitrate change.To explore the impact of various management options,a number of legislative documents were reviewed.The results indicate a decline in the nitrate storage of Kabul aquifers from 108 mg/L in 2005 to 0.044 mg/L in 2010.Considering the whole period of the study,the results show that the nitrate volumes remain lower than the nitrate concentration range proposed by World Health Organization(50 mg/L).Groundwater dynamics in Kabul aquifers were influenced by nitrate derived from precipitation and nitrate input from root zones in agricultural areas.Finally,different management options for groundwater pollution from nitrate and corresponding authorities,incorporated urban,rural and agriculture,were proposed.It is expected that this study will help policy makers to better manage the nitrate storage of Kabul aquifers by implementing the proposed management options.

Lipid and Diabetic Profiles of School Teachers in Afghanistan Facing Food Insecurity and Their Association with Knowledge Relating to Healthy Lifestyle

Objectives: To investigate lipid and diabetic profiles of school teachers in Kabul, Afghanistan, who face food insecurity, and examine the association of those with the teachers’ knowledge of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Methods: A survey to examine biochemical indicators of NCDs (triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), blood pressure, height, weight, waist circumference), food insecurity, lifestyle and knowledge of NCDs was conducted among 600 school teachers. Analyses were made of biochemical indicators of NCDs, blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and subject’s lifestyle in relation to food security and the subject’s knowledge of NCDs. Results: Thirty-nine percent of school teachers experienced food insecurity. The percentage of TC ≥ 200 mg/dL;HbA1c ≥ 5.5%;hypertension and metabolic syndrome were 20.2%, 29.7%, 32.2% and 33.7%, respectively. Food insecurity was associated with lower fruit and vegetable consumption and higher potato consumption. Food insecurity was associated with increased TC (AOR 2.03;95%CI: 1.23 - 3.34), decreased HDL (AOR 1.70;95%CI: 1.12 - 2.58), increased HbA1c (AOR 1.73;95%CI: 1.14 - 2.64), hypertension (AOR 1.68;95%CI: 1.01 - 2.80) and diagnosis of metabolic syndrome (AOR 1.78;95%CI: 1.18 - 2.68), after adjustment by demographic, socioeconomic and lifestyle variables. Among people living under condition of food insecurity, greater NCD knowledge was associated with smaller prevalence of TG ≥ 150 mg/dL, HDL Conclusions: Under conditions of food insecurity, diets have less variety and individuals are more likely to exhibit biomedical risk factors of NCDs. Even under conditions of food insecurity, people with knowledge of NCDs may have better coping strategies for their choice of lifestyles and exhibited a lower percentage of risk factors of NCDs.

Evaluation of Disparities between Transportation Needs and Trip Patterns of Men and Women in Kandahar City, Afghanistan

Consideration of gender equality in transportation planning is quite a new phenomenon. However, its significance is discussed widely by several researchers, particularly, in developing countries. In Kandahar city of Afghanistan, women have limited choices when it comes to using transportation services. With respect to some cultural, social, contextual, environmental, technological and physical barriers;women do not receive equal services from the current transport sectors. Using Revealed Preference and Stated Preference techniques, a survey was conducted in Kandahar city to identify the differences between trip patterns and transportation needs among men and women of the city. Our findings show distinct and clear disparities in socio-demographic characteristics of men and women of Kandahar city leading to trip disparities. Almost all of women do not own any types of personal vehicles, they are less educated and do not have jobs. Likewise, there is a considerable gap between trip characteristics and patterns of men and women. Majority of female trips are for educational purposes while male trips are more dispersed over multiple activities. Motorcycle is the most dominant and preferred mode for men, while women are mostly walking or using available public transit. Compared to men, women were recorded to have lesser trips per day over short distances. Transportation choices of women are also limited to walking, accompanying other male members of family or using public modes. However, men are generally using their private cars, motorcycles and bicycles together with all those options available for women. The results of Multinomial Logit Model showed that all selected variables such as vehicle ownership, income, travel cost and time will be significant factors for mode choice behavior of men, though for female respondents travel time and travel cost are main factors.

Distribution of Tick Species Infesting Domestic Ruminants in Borderline of Iran-Afghanistan

To determine the tick species parasitizing domestic ruminants in Zabol, Zahak and Qaen Counties which are located in east of Iran and are bordered with Afghanistan country, about 73 sheep, 44 goats and 27 cattle of 12 herds in several villages in Zabol, Zahak and Qaen Counties were inspected for tick infestation. Separated ticks were preserved in 70% alcohol and identified. About 464 ticks (252 male;194 female) were collected;the occurrences of ticks on goats, cattle and sheep were about 17%, 15% and 26% respectively in all three Counties. The mean number of ticks on each animal was about 2 - 7 ticks per animal. Totally we found 3 genera hard ticks including Hyalomma, Rhipicephalus and Dermacentor in these regions. Hyalomma anatolicum, Hy. marginatum, Hy. asiaticum, Hy. detrinium, Rhipicephalus bursa, R. sanguineus, Dermacentorniveus, and D. marginatus, were the tick species we found. Hyalomma anatolicum and Hy. asiaticum were the most abundant species in the study area. The result of this study is a survey of tick species from domestic animals in east part of Iran and implication of possible prevention measures for diseases transmitted by ticks.

Description of United States Military Nurses Deployed to Afghanistan &Iraq, 2001-2015

Since 2001, US military forces have been engaged in Afghanistan and in Iraq. During fifteen years of conflict in both operations US troops have incurred a total of 52,022 wounded and 6857 deaths. The aim of this analysis is to describe the characteristics of US military nurses that deployed to these combat theatres. Data for this retrospective analysis were provided by the US Department of Defense, Defense Manpower Data Center and describes characteristics military nurses that deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq, or both between September 1, 2001 and July 31, 2015. A total of 6326 nurses deployed during this period;3296 nurses deployed to Afghanistan and 2683 nurses deployed to Iraq. Fifty-five percent of deployed nurses were male. The majority of deployed nurses were white (32.9%) followed by Hispanic (22.9%) and black nurses (14.5%). Most deployed nurses had a baccalaureate nursing degree (88.9%) and 9% deployed nurses had an advanced degree. Most deployed nurses were classified as general nurses (66.6%). Further research is needed to examine in detail the impacts of deployments upon nurses.

Establishing a breast cancer center in Herat,Afghanistan:an implementation study

Objective:Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women,causing significant mortality in the world,which contributed 11.7%to the overall cancer-related mortality in Afghanistan.In 2018,3062 new breast cancer cases were reported accounting for 29.7%of all cancers in women in the country.However,a comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic system is lacking in Afghanistan.In this paper,we reported the implementation of a project aiming to establish a comprehensive breast cancer center in Herat province of Afghanistan.Methods:From July 2017,a two-year-program initiated at Kimia Hospital in Herat.This first free diagnostic and therapeutic breast cancer project planned by the Afghanistan Surgeons Society-West and the Verein für Afghanistan-Förderung e.V.,as well supported by three international foundations.The target populations of this project were women presenting with breast problems at Kimia Hospital in Herat and healthcare staff involved in breast cancer diagnosis and management.Results:A group of six medical personnel chosen to represent the breast cancer core team for breast cancer diagnosis and management were trained in India.These caregivers established the breast cancer service and tumor board.During a period of 20 months,a total of 632 women with breast problems presented to Kimia Hospital of whom 44(7.0%)were diagnosed with breast cancer.Diagnosis was established by a physical examination,ultrasonography,mammography,biopsy and histopathology.Treatment included surgery,radiotherapy and chemotherapy.Twelve seminars for 512 healthcare workers,1000 brochures and a movie were prepared for awareness-raising actions.For continuation of this project,potential resource providers were identified.A database was developed to record project findings.Conclusion:Implementation of this comprehensive breast cancer project resulted in significant achievements in healthcare staff capacity building,diagnosis and management of breast cancer patients in Herat province.Data obtained in this project offer Afghan government,public health authorities,and the community the opportunity of improving diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer in Afghanistan.

Prevalence and associated factors of depression,anxiety and stress among coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)patients in Herat,Afghanistan

Objectives:Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic has been associated with a great level of psychological distresses in people around the world.This study aims to assess the prevalence of depression,anxiety and stress among COVID-19 patients and identify the associated factors,in Herat Province of Afghanistan.Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted on 459 hospitalized patients between May and September 2021.Data was collected with a structured questionnaire on depression,anxiety and stress scale,which was the validated Dari-version.Chi-square test was adopted to analyze the associations of the prevalence of the mental disorders and the factors.Results:The mean age of participants was 38.05;51.9%(238/459)were male and 84.1%(386/459)were married.Median scores for depression,anxiety and stress were 5.0,8.0,and 10.0,respectively.Gender,general health condition,nutritional status,COVID-19 clinical manifestation and concurrent comorbidities(except diabetes and hypertension)were significantly associated with mental disorders;while association between marital status and these psychological disorders was not significant.Moreover,a significant difference was observed in the level of anxiety between healthcare workers and other respondents.Conclusion:This is the first study to report the high prevalence of depression,anxiety and stress among COVID-19 patients in Herat,which indicates the negative effect of mental health for COVID-19 patients globally and highlights the need for urgent and appropriate interventions to improve mental health of people during the pandemic.

The EU's Strategic Predicament after Withdrawal from Perspective of Afghanistan

The EU has significant geopolitical and security interests in Afghanistan,including prevention of the resurgence of refugees,combating terrorism,improving the EU’s image,exporting Western values,and increasing its geopolitical weight by transforming Afghanistan.The Taliban’s renewed control of Afghanistan is a heavy blow for the EU,and it brings uncertainty to security and geopolitical issues.These changes highlight the long-standing strategic predicament of the EU:excessive dependence on the US,which prevents the EU from realizing its own strategic autonomy;a long-term values-oriented diplomacy that compresses its own strategic space so that a pragmatic cooperation system in the supposed post-American era is difficult to take shape;mechanism and authority limitations that aggravate the conflict between ideal and reality and prevent the EU as a whole from exerting its due international influence.After the era of Trump,the changes in Afghanistan have again stimulated the EU;a new round of discussion has been initiated within it,and a sense of its independence has been reinforced.However,due to a number of constraints,the EU’s strategic adjustment will ultimately be limited,and will still face difficulties in escaping from its strategic predicament.

The Cooperation Between China and Afghanistan Under the“Belt and Road Initiative”

Afghanistan is a neighboring country to China.The Afghanistan issue has had an important impact on China’s national security.Since the establishment of the new Afghan government in 2001,China has been committed to promoting Afghanistan’s economic,social,and security reconstruction,and has invested heavily resources in Afghanistan’s reconstruction.The main cause of the Afghan problem is that the Afghan government lacked enough resources and can only rely on the foreign powers’aids.Afghanistan eventually loses its independence,and triggers interference in big powers.At present,Afghanistan still has not escaped this predicament.Near 50%of the Afghan government’s revenue comes from foreign aids.In 2013,the“Belt and Road Initiative”proposed by China provided opportunity for the reconstruction of Afghanistan.Afghanistan,as the crossroads of the land Silk Road and the heart of Asia,has become more prominent in its geopolitical status for“Belt and Road Initiative”.By participating“Belt and Road Initiative”,Afghanistan can help to activate its own economic vitality and promote the cross-border trade.It has changed the situation that Afghanistan is highly dependent on external aids.This helps to solve the problems of reconstruction in Afghanistan.

Legitimacy in Afghanistan： A Critical Analysis of Historical and Contemporary Sources of Authority

Sources of legitimacy in Afghanistan are diverse, competing and contested, with traditional roots. Historical and contemporary observation suggests a major rift between a ＂sedentary＂ and a ＂desert＂ populace---that is urban dwellers and rural inhabitants. Tribal patronage, with its lashkars and militias, has traditionally been central to legitimacy of any claim to the throne, and lack of it has doomed any such aspiration. This dynamic shifted in the 19th century as the state attempted to consolidate its rule by relying on standing armies independent of tribal forces. While the Kabul-based dynasties generally upheld this new power structure well into late 20th century, with a few relapses, the persisting tensions ultimately led to an acute conflict. The Mujahidin insurgency of the 1980s and early 1990s was a manifestation of this competition. Afghan Jihad here is intentionally examined as a protracted conflict independent of its Western influence and backing and as it pertained to pillars of power and legitimacy of authority in the Afghan context.

Cretaceous Environments of Afghanistan:A Synthesis Based on Selected Sections

The Cretaceous of Afghanistan is marked by great facies diversity. The evolution of Cretaceous basins is part of a complex accretionary history involving three distinct tectonic units namely the Asian ( Russian) Block separated from the Indian plate by a rather well defined transcurrent fault (Chaman-Nuski). The southwestern component is represented by the Iran-Afghanistan plate. The Lower Cretaceous of the Asian Block is represented by the Red-Grit Series which is conformable to the underlying Upper Jurassic sequences. The transition is marked by evaporitic facies dominated by salt, gypsum and marl deposits. In south Afghanistan volcanic rocks occur at Farah, with the emplacement of plutonics in west-central Afghanistan. The Upper Cretaceous of north Afghanistan is marked by richly fossiliferous, limestone-domi-nated sequences. The Upper Cretaceous of southern Afghanistan is marked by strong ophiolitic magmatism.

Interpretation of Depositional Environment of Fusulinid Bearing Middle Permian Succession of Bolula and Khaja Ghar Formation, Bamian Zone, Central Afghanistan

The study area belongs to the north Afghanistan having complex tectonic setting, because of separation of the Afghanistan plate from Pangea in Early Permian and its subsequent northward journey and collision with Eurasian plate. The rock exposed in the area belongs to Paleozoic, Mesozoic to Quaternary with Proterozoic basement. Particularly the Permian succession of Afghanistan is rich in fusulinids (larger foraminifera), is age diagnostic, provides strong biostratigraphic tool for the Permian deposits, and has paleobiogeographic applications. The Bamian zone of north Afghanistan has good exposure to Middle Permian and is designated as Bolula and Khaja Ghar Formation is undertaken in this study. The Bolula Formation overlies the greenschist and basalts, composed mainly of carbonate rocks (Dolostone and limestone), having massive limestone, with some quartz and secondary calcite vein in the succession. The intermittent siliciclastic wedges within the carbonate succession are identified as input within the platform with tectonic pulses in the hinterland. Bolula and Khaja Ghar succession is divided into 8 lithofacies ( Facies A to H) and 6 carbonate Facies viz. Sparry calcites limestone, Micritic limestone, Fossiliferous limestones (Biomicrite), Peloidal limestone (Fecal pellets), Interlaminated micritic and sparite limestone, and sandy limestone (micritic). The Bolula and Khaja Ghar Formation in the Bamian area have deposited in a shallow marine shelf environment because of predominance of carbonate rocks and presence of shallow-water marine fossils including fusulinids, small benthic foraminifera, algae, bivalve, brachiopods fragments, corals and bryozoans, etc. In the Bamian zone the unconformity between Upper Carboniferous and Lower Permian;indicates extensive gap in sedimentation, traceable to many parts of Afghanistan as unconformity or tectonic contact is considered here as sequence boundary.