The Katiki Formation is a Late Cretaceous (Campanian to Maastrichtian, or Haumurian in the regional stratigraphy) geologic formation of the South Island of New Zealand.[1] Plesiosaur remains of Kaiwhekea katiki, named after the formation, are among the fossils that have been recovered from the deltaic siltstones.

Katiki Formation
Stratigraphic range: Campanian-Maastrichtian (Haumurian)
~83.5–66 Ma
TypeGeological formation
OverliesHerbert Formation
Thickness100 m (330 ft)
Lithology
PrimarySiltstone
Location
Coordinates45°30′S 170°48′E / 45.5°S 170.8°E / -45.5; 170.8
Approximate paleocoordinates60°18′S 153°30′E / 60.3°S 153.5°E / -60.3; 153.5
RegionSouth Island
CountryNew Zealand
Type section
Named byMcKay
Year defined1887
Katiki Formation is located in New Zealand
Katiki Formation
Katiki Formation (New Zealand)

Description edit

The Katiki Formation was defined by McKay in 1887 and comprises about 100 metres (330 ft) of gently north to northeast dipping and generally massive, dark grey, indurated, sandy siltstones. The Katiki Formation overlies more proximal marine sandstones of the Herbert Formation and, below that, non-marine quartzose sandy to pebbly coal measures of the Shag Point Group.[2]

Fossil content edit

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Katiki Formation in the Paleobiology Database
  2. ^ Shag Point in the Paleobiology Database
  3. ^ Cruickshank & Fordyce, 2002

Bibliography edit

  • Cruickshank, A.R.I., and R.E. Fordyce. 2002. A new marine reptile (Sauropterygia) from New Zealand: further evidence for a Late Cretaceous Austral radiation of cryptoclidid plesiosaurs. Palaeontology 45. 557–575. .