Bluewater Creek Formation
The Bluewater Creek Formation is a geologic formation in west-central New Mexico. It preserves fossils dating back to the late Triassic period.[1]
| Bluewater Creek Formation Stratigraphic range: late Triassic | |
|---|---|
| Type | Formation |
| Unit of | Chinle Group |
| Underlies | Petrified Forest Formation |
| Overlies | Shinarump Conglomerate |
| Thickness | 100 meters (330 ft) |
| Lithology | |
| Primary | Sandstone, mudstone |
| Other | Siltstone |
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 35.316381°N 108.059074°W |
| Region | New Mexico |
| Country |  |
| Type section | |
| Named for | Bluewater Creek |
| Named by | Lucas and Hayden |
| Year defined | 1989 |
  Bluewater Creek Formation (the United States)  Bluewater Creek Formation (New Mexico) | |
Description
The formation consists of red sandstones and mudstones and has a total thickness in excess of 100 meters (330 ft). It conformably overlies the Shinarump Conglomerate and conformably underlies the Petrified Forest Formation.[1]
Fossils
The formation contains some fossil vertebrates and an extensive fossil flora.[1] Fossil tetrapods from the Bluewater Creek Formation include the phytosaur Rutiodon, the aetosaurs Desmatosuchus and Stagonolepis, and the metoposaurid Buettneria. These are characteristic of the late Carnian.[2]
History of investigation
Spencer G. Lucas and S.N. Hayden defined the Bluewater Creek Member of the Chinle Formation in 1989, assigning to it beds formerly assigned either to Division D, lower red member, or Monitor Butte Member of the Chinle Formation.[1] With their subsequent promotion of the Chinle in northwestern New Mexico to group rank, the Bluewater Creek was promoted to the Bluewater Creek Formation.[2]
Footnotes
- Lucas and Hayden 1989
- Lucas and Heckert 1997
References
- Lucas, S.G.; Hayden, S.N. (1989). "Triassic stratigraphy of west-central New Mexico" (PDF). New Mexico Geological Society Field Conference Guidebook. 40: 191–211. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
- Lucas, S.G.; Heckert, Andrew B. (May 1997). "Triassic stratigraphy and paleontology on the Fort Wingate quadrangle, west-central New Mexico" (PDF). New Mexico Geology. 19 (2). Retrieved 3 August 2020.