Goodland Limestone facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Goodland LimestoneStratigraphic range: Cretaceous |
|
|---|---|
| Type | Formation |
| Underlies | Kiamichi Shale |
| Overlies | Trinity Group |
| Lithology | |
| Primary | Limestone |
| Location | |
| Region | Arkansas, Texas |
| Country |  United States |
| Type section | |
| Named for | Goodland, Choctaw County, Oklahoma |
| Named by | Robert Thomas Hill |
The Goodland Limestone or Goodland Formation is a special type of rock layer found in Arkansas and Texas. It's like a giant history book made of stone! This formation holds amazing fossils that tell us about life from the Cretaceous Period, which was a very long time ago.
Contents
What is the Goodland Limestone?
The Goodland Limestone is mainly made of a rock called limestone. Limestone forms from the shells and skeletons of tiny sea creatures that lived in ancient oceans. Over millions of years, these bits and pieces settled on the seafloor, got squished, and turned into solid rock.
What is a Geologic Formation?
A geologic formation is a distinct layer of rock that scientists can recognize and map. Think of it like a specific chapter in Earth's history book. Each formation has unique features, like the types of rocks it contains or the fossils found within it. The Goodland Limestone is one such chapter, known for its limestone and Cretaceous-era fossils.
Where Can You Find the Goodland Limestone?
You can find the Goodland Limestone in parts of two states in the United States: Arkansas and Texas. It's a widespread rock layer, meaning it covers a large area underground in these regions. Geologists study where these formations are found to understand Earth's past.
Layers Above and Below
Geologic formations often stack up like pancakes. The Goodland Limestone sits on top of another rock layer called the Trinity Group. Above the Goodland Limestone, you'll find the Kiamichi Shale. These layers help scientists figure out the order of events in Earth's history.
What Fossils Are Found in the Goodland Limestone?
The Goodland Limestone is famous for preserving fossils from the Cretaceous Period. This was the time when dinosaurs roamed the land! However, since the Goodland Limestone formed in an ocean, the fossils found here are mostly from sea creatures.
Life in the Cretaceous Seas
Imagine an ancient sea covering parts of Arkansas and Texas. In this sea, creatures like clams, snails, and ammonites (which looked a bit like squids with coiled shells) lived and died. Their hard shells and skeletons fell to the bottom and became part of the limestone. Finding these fossils helps scientists learn about the ancient marine life and the environment of the Cretaceous Period.
Who Named the Goodland Limestone?
The Goodland Limestone was named by a geologist named Robert Thomas Hill. He was a very important scientist who studied the geology of Texas and the surrounding areas. He named this rock layer after a place called Goodland in Choctaw County, Oklahoma. Geologists often name formations after the places where they are first studied or where they are very clearly exposed.
