Portezuelo Formation

The Portezuelo Formation is a geologic formation of Late Cretaceous (Late Turonian to Early Coniacian) age, outcropping in the Mendoza, Río Negro and Neuquén provinces of Argentina.[1] It is the fourth-oldest formation in the Neuquén Group and the older of the two formations in the Río Neuquén Subgroup. Formerly, that subgroup was treated as a formation, and the Portezuelo Formation was known as the Portezuelo Member.[2]

Portezuelo Formation
Stratigraphic range: late Turonian-early Coniacian
~91–88 Ma
↓
TypeGeological formation
Unit ofNeuquén Group
 Río Neuquén Subgroup
UnderliesPlottier Formation
OverliesRío Limay Subgroup
 Lisandro Formation
Thickness95–130 m (312–427 ft)
Lithology
PrimarySandstone
OtherConglomerate, limestone
Location
Coordinates38.5°S 68.7°W / -38.5; -68.7
Approximate paleocoordinates44.4°S 47.2°W / -44.4; -47.2
RegionMendoza, Río Negro & Neuquén Provinces
Country Argentina
ExtentNeuquén Basin
Type section
Named forSierra del Portezuelo
Portezuelo Formation (Argentina)

Description

The type locality of the Portezuelo Formation is the mountain range known as Sierra del Portezuelo in Neuquén Province.[3] This formation conformably overlies the Lisandro Formation of the Río Limay Subgroup. In the top layers it grades into the Plottier Formation, the younger formation within the Río Neuquén Subgroup.

Sandstones and siltstones, probably deposited under fluvial conditions, make up the Portezuelo Formation. There are also occasional cemented claystone deposits, as well as numerous paleosols (fossil soils). The formation varies between 95 and 130 metres (312 and 427 ft) thick throughout its range.[2][4]

Fossil content
Megaraptor namunhuaiquii
Neuquenraptor argentinus

Many dinosaur fossils have recently been described from this formation, as well as remains of several other types of animals:

gollark: For what?
gollark: Probably people will just learn to be happy with the trickles of other dragons pouring in as stuff begins to run down to 0 days.
gollark: Perhaps a modified version which won't allow walls somehow, who knows.
gollark: With enough players collaborating, we can get constant walls and maybe force changes to the AP.
gollark: Great idea!

See also

References
  1. Portezuelo Formation at Fossilworks.org
  2. Sánchez et al., 2006
  3. Wichmann, 1929
  4. Leanza et al., 2004
  5. Agnolin et al., 2006
  6. Porfiri et al., 2007

Bibliography
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