Kazunori Arita

Department of Geology and Mineralogy, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060, Japan

Toran Sharma

Department of Mines and Geology, Kathmandu, Nepal

Yasushi Fuji

Department of Marine Sciences, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa 903-01, Japan

The Lower Himalayas of central Nepal between Piuthan and Jajarkot are geologically divided into the northern and southern belts by the Jajarkot Crystalline klippe. The northern belt consists mainly of the Older Midland Complex that can be safely correlated with the Lower Nawakot Group of central Nepal. The Older Midland Complex is Riphean to Eocambrian in age and of parautochthonous to allochthonous nature. On the other hand the southern belt is mainly composed of the Younger Midland Complex which is probably correlative with the Upper Nawakot Group and of autochthonous to parautochthonous nature. The younger Midlands seem to conformably overlie the Older Midlands. The mineral lineation striking north-northeast to northeast is conspicuous in the Older Midlands, whereas no mineral lineation is observed in the Younger Midlands. In the present area at least two major klippes are recognized. The Jajarkot Crystalline klippe is transported from the Main Central Thrust zone lying to the north, covering the Older Midlands. The Sallyan klippe, composed of the Older Midlands and resting on the Younger Midlands in the southern belt, has its root in the northern belt. The Sallyan klippe is likely overlain by the Jajarkot Crystalline klippe.