Candelaria Formation, Nevada facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Candelaria Formation Stratigraphic range: Induan
Type	Formation
Lithology
Primary	Shale
Other	Limestone
Location
Coordinates	38°06′N 118°06′W / 38.1°N 118.1°W / 38.1; -118.1
Approximate paleocoordinates	12°06′N 41°36′W / 12.1°N 41.6°W / 12.1; -41.6
Region	Nevada
Country	United States
Type section
Named for	Candelaria Hills

The Candelaria Formation is a special rock layer found in Nevada, United States. Imagine a huge stack of rocks that tells a story about Earth's past! That's what a geologic formation is.

This formation is mostly made of two types of rocks: shale and limestone. These rocks formed a very long time ago in an ancient ocean. Scientists call this an "open marine environment." It means the area was a wide, deep part of the sea.

The Candelaria Formation is super important because it holds many fossils. These fossils are like clues that tell us about the plants and animals that lived there millions of years ago. The fossils found here date back to the Induan Age. This was a time period within the Early Triassic epoch. The Early Triassic was a very long time ago, right after the biggest extinction event in Earth's history!

What is the Candelaria Formation?

The Candelaria Formation is a specific set of rock layers. It is named after the Candelaria Hills in Nevada, where it was first studied. Geologists explore these layers to understand Earth's history.

Rocks in the Formation

The main rocks in this formation are shale and limestone.

• Shale is a soft rock made from mud and clay. It forms in calm water, like the bottom of an ocean.
• Limestone is a rock often made from the shells and skeletons of sea creatures. It forms in clear, warm ocean water.

The mix of shale and limestone tells us that the area was an ocean. Sometimes the water was calm and muddy, and other times it was clearer.

When Did It Form?

The Candelaria Formation dates back to the Induan Age. This age is part of the Early Triassic epoch. The Triassic Period began about 252 million years ago. It was a time when life on Earth was recovering after a huge extinction event. This event wiped out most life forms. The fossils in the Candelaria Formation show us what life was like as the planet recovered.

What Fossils Are Found Here?

The Candelaria Formation is famous for its amazing fossils. These fossils give us a peek into ancient ocean life. Scientists have found different kinds of sea creatures here.

Among the most common fossils are:

• Ammonoids: These were ancient sea creatures with spiral shells. They looked a bit like modern-day nautiluses. They were very common in ancient oceans.
• Bivalves: These are shellfish with two hinged shells. Think of clams or oysters you might see today. They lived on or in the seafloor.
• Ray-finned fishes: These were early fish with fins supported by bony rays. They swam in the ancient seas.

These fossils help scientists understand how life evolved after the big extinction. They show us which creatures survived and how new ones developed.

List of Fossils Found

Here are some of the specific fossils that have been discovered in the Candelaria Formation: