Eminence Formation facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eminence FormationStratigraphic range: Upper Cambrian |
|
|---|---|
| Type | Formation |
| Underlies | Gunter Sandstone Member of the Gasconade Formation |
| Overlies | Potosi Formation |
| Lithology | |
| Primary | Dolomite |
| Other | Chert |
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 37°9′2″N 91°21′27″W / 37.15056°N 91.35750°W |
| Region | Eminence, Shannon County, Missouri |
| Country | United States |
The Eminence Formation is a special type of rock layer found in Missouri, United States. It is also sometimes called the Eminence Dolomite. This rock layer is very old, dating back to a time called the Cambrian Period.
Scientists study the Eminence Formation to learn about Earth's past. They find fossils here, which are the preserved remains or traces of ancient life. These fossils help us understand what kinds of plants and animals lived millions of years ago.
Contents
What is a Geologic Formation?
A geologic formation is like a specific chapter in Earth's history book. It is a body of rock that has a unique set of features. These features make it different from the rock layers above and below it. Geologists (scientists who study rocks) give formations names. This helps them talk about and study different parts of the Earth.
The Eminence Formation is mostly made of a rock called dolomite. Dolomite is a type of rock that looks a lot like limestone. It forms in ancient seas from minerals that settle out of the water.
The Cambrian Period
The rocks of the Eminence Formation were formed during the Cambrian Period. This was a very long time ago, about 485 to 541 million years ago! The Cambrian Period is famous for something called the "Cambrian Explosion." This was a time when many new types of life forms appeared on Earth. Most of these new creatures lived in the oceans.
During the Cambrian Period, the area that is now Missouri was covered by a shallow sea. This sea was home to many different marine animals. The remains of these animals eventually became the fossils we find in the Eminence Formation today.
Ancient Life: Fossils Found Here
The Eminence Formation is important because it holds clues about ancient life. Scientists have found fossils of creatures that lived in the Cambrian seas. These fossils help us learn about the animals that swam and crawled on the seafloor millions of years ago.
Monoplacophora Fossils
One type of fossil found in the Eminence Formation belongs to a group called Monoplacophora. These were ancient marine animals. They looked a bit like snails, with a single, cap-shaped shell. They lived on the seafloor and probably ate tiny bits of food from the mud.
Scientists have identified two specific types of Monoplacophora in the Eminence Formation:
- Biloboconus
- B. frizzelli
- Potosiplina
- P. delorensis
Finding these fossils helps scientists understand the diversity of life during the Cambrian Period. It also shows how these early mollusks lived and evolved.
