The Atherfield Clay Formation is a Geological formation in Southern England. Part of the Lower Greensand Group it dates to the Aptian age of the Early Cretaceous. The deposit is of marine origin largely consisting of massive yellowish brown to pale grey mudstones.[1] The pterosaur Vectidraco is known from the formation.[2] As is the Sandownid turtle Sandownia.
| Atherfield Clay Formation | |
|---|---|
| Stratigraphic range: | |
.jpg) Atherfield Point | |
| Type | Geological formation |
| Unit of | Lower Greensand Group |
| Sub-units | Chale Clay Member |
| Underlies | Ferruginous Sands, Hythe Formation |
| Overlies | Vectis Formation, Weald Clay |
| Thickness | 55–60 m (180–197 ft) on the Isle of Wight, up to 18 m (59 ft) in the Weald |
| Lithology | |
| Primary | Mudstone |
| Other | Sandstone, Ironstone |
| Location | |
| Region | Europe |
| Country |  UK |
| Extent | Southern England |
References edit
- ^ "Atherfield Clay Formation". The BGS Lexicon of Named Rock Units. British Geological Survey. Archived from the original on 5 August 2008.
- ^ Naish, D.; Simpson, M.; Dyke, G. (2013). Farke, Andrew A (ed.). "A New Small-Bodied Azhdarchoid Pterosaur from the Lower Cretaceous of England and Its Implications for Pterosaur Anatomy, Diversity and Phylogeny". PLOS ONE. 8 (3): e58451. Bibcode:2013PLoSO...858451N. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0058451. PMC 3601094. PMID 23526986.
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