Yacoraite Formation
The Yacoraite Formation is a largely Mesozoic geologic formation. The deposits of this formation mainly date from the Maastrichtian of the Upper Cretaceous, but the Cretaceous–Paleogene boundary (K–T boundary) runs right through this formation near its top, and the uppermost parts are consequently from the Danian (Lower Paleocene). It was probably deposited around the intertidal zone, as the sedimentary rocks of this formation alternate according to sea level changes between deposits of muddy beaches and of shallow ocean.[1]
Yacoraite Formation Stratigraphic range: Maastrichtian-Danian | |
---|---|
Type | Geological formation |
Unit of | Salta Group |
Sub-units | Amblayo, Güemes, Alemanía & Juramento Members |
Underlies | Mealla, Olmedo & Tunal Formations |
Overlies | Lecho Formation |
Lithology | |
Primary | Sandstone |
Other | Limestone |
Location | |
Coordinates | 23.5°S 65.4°W |
Approximate paleocoordinates | 26.1°S 51.9°W |
Region | Jujuy & Salta Provinces |
Country | |
Extent | Salta Basin |
Type section | |
Named for | Yacoraite village, Tilcara Department |
Yacoraite Formation (Argentina) |
Fossil content
Dinosaur remains are among the fossils that have been recovered from the formation.[2]
Well-preserved dinosaur footprints assigned to Hadrosaurichnus australis have been found in this formation,[3] as were fossil eggs, stromatolites and the Mesozoic palynomorph Aquilapollenites. [1]
Other fossils recovered from the formation are:
- Ichnofossils
- Hadrosaurichnus australis[3]
- Salfitichnus mentoor[4]
- Taponichnus donottoi[4]
- Telosichnus saltensis[4]
- Yacoraitichnus avis[4]
See also
- List of dinosaur-bearing rock formations
References
- Marquillas et al. (2003)
- Weishampel et al. (2004: pp.517-607)
- Leonardi, 1994, p.30
- Leonardi, 1994, p.79
Bibliography
- Leonardi, Giuseppe. 1994. Annotated Atlas of South America Tetrapod Footprints (Devonian to Holocene) with an appendix on Mexico and Central America, 1–248. Ministerio de Minas e Energia - Companhia de Pesquisa de Recursos Minerais, Geological Service of Brazil. Accessed 2019-03-25.
- Marquillas, Rosa; Cecilia del Papa; Ignacio Sabino, and Jorge Heredia. 2003. Prospección del límite K/T en la cuenca del Noroeste, Argentina - The K/T boundary prospecting in the Northwest Basin, Argentina. Revista de la Asociación Geológica Argentina 58. 271-274. Accessed 2019-03-25.
- Weishampel, David B.; Peter Dodson, and Halszka Osmólska (eds.). 2004. The Dinosauria, 2nd edition, 1–880. Berkeley: University of California Press. Accessed 2019-02-21.ISBN 0-520-24209-2