Type Geological formation Named for Mount Carmel Underlies Entrada Sandstone | Country US Primary Mudstone Unit of San Rafael Group | |
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Thickness From 200 feet (60 m) to 1,000 feet (300 m) Other Sandstone, siltstone, limestone Region Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, north east Arizona and New Mexico | ||
Jurassic carmel formation the rocks of utah
The Carmel Formation is a geologic formation in the San Rafael Group that is spread across the US states of Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, north east Arizona and New Mexico. Part of the Colorado Plateau, this formation was laid down in the Middle Jurassic during the late Bajocian, through the Bathonian and into the early Callovian stages.
Contents
Carmel formation mp4
Subunits
Members (alphabetical):
(Asterisks mean the name is used by the US Geological Survey).
History of investigation
In 1928 Gilluly and Reeside stated an intent to name the formation after Mount Carmel but did not give a type locality. They noted it as a basal formation in the San Rafael Group in San Rafael Swell, in Emery County, Utah. An overview along with a type locality and source of name was stated by Gregory and Moore in 1931. Mackin revised the formation's description and assigned the Homestake Limestone Member to it in 1954. Harshbarger and others created an overview in 1957. Its eastern areal limits were described by Wright and others in 1962. In 1963, western areal limits along with an overview were completed by Schultz and Wright. Another revision was done by Phoenix in 1963 who also added a Judd Hollow Tongue member. Isotopic dating was conducted by Marvin and others in 1965. The Kolob, Crystal Creek, Paria River, Winsor, and Wiggler Wash members were assigned by Thompson and Stokes in 1970. Areal limits were adjusted by O'Sullivan and Craig in 1973 and again in 1983 by Blakey and others. An overview was completed by Chapman in 1989. Hintze and others conducted isotopic dating and created an overview in 1994.
Paleontological finds
There have been a number of paleontological finds within the Carmel Formation. Among these have been bryozoans, oysters, as well as dinosaur foot prints.
Bryozoans
There have been a number of bryozoans found within the Carmel Formation. These finds include seven species of calcareous cyclostome bryozoans as well as a soft-bodied ctenosome bryozoan.
Places found
Geologic Province: