Cerro Fortaleza Formation
Cerro Fortaleza Formation | |
---|---|
Stratigraphic range: Cenomanian ~ | |
Type | Geological formation |
Underlies | La Irene Formation |
Overlies | Anita Formation |
Thickness | 460 m (1,510 ft) |
Lithology | |
Primary | Sandstone |
Location | |
Coordinates | 49°54′S 72°06′W / 49.9°S 72.1°W |
Approximate paleocoordinates | 51°54′S 61°48′W / 51.9°S 61.8°W |
Region | Santa Cruz Province, southern Patagonia |
Country | ![]() |
Extent | Austral Basin |
The Cerro Fortaleza Formation, in older literature described as Pari Aike Formation, is a Late Cretaceous geologic formation of Cenomanian[1] (formerly believed to be Maastrichtian) age of the Austral Basin in southern Patagonia, Argentina.
Description
The sandstones of the formation were deposited in a fluvial environment. The formation has an estimated thickness of 460 metres (1,510 ft) and overlies the Anita Formation, while it is overlain by the La Irene Formation.[2] These formations are considered Campanian & Maastrichtian in age, respectively,[2][3] making the Cerro Fortaleza Formation aged between them.
The giant titanosaurs Puertasaurus and Dreadnoughtus, the megaraptoran Orkoraptor, Austrocheirus isasii, and the ornithopod Talenkauen have been recovered from the formation alongside turtles and crocodiles.[4]
See also
References
Bibliography
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Geologic formations of Argentina
- Upper Cretaceous Series of South America
- Cretaceous Argentina
- Cenomanian Stage
- Sandstone formations
- Fluvial deposits
- Austral or Magallanes Basin
- Fossiliferous stratigraphic units of South America
- Paleontology in Argentina
- Geology of Patagonia
- Geology of Santa Cruz Province, Argentina