Mint Canyon Formation facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mint Canyon FormationStratigraphic range: Mid-Late Miocene (Barstovian-Clarendonian) ~16–11Ma |
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|---|---|
| Type | Geologic formation |
| Underlies | Castaic & Saugus Formations |
| Overlies | Tick Canyon Formation |
| Lithology | |
| Primary | Conglomerate & sandstone |
| Other | Mudstone |
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 34°30′N 118°30′W / 34.5°N 118.5°W |
| Approximate paleocoordinates | 33°54′N 115°00′W / 33.9°N 115.0°W |
| Region | Los Angeles County, California |
| Country |  United States |
| Extent | Sierra Pelona Ridge, San Gabriel Mountains |
| Type section | |
| Named for | Mint Canyon |
| Named by | Kew |
| Year defined | 1923 |
The Mint Canyon Formation is a special type of rock layer found in the Sierra Pelona Mountains in Los Angeles County, California. Scientists call it a 'geologic formation.' It's from a time called the Miocene period, which was millions of years ago. This formation is super cool because it holds fossils of animals that lived between about 16 and 11 million years ago!
Contents
What is the Mint Canyon Formation?
The Mint Canyon Formation is made of rocks that formed from ancient streams and lakes. These rocks are mostly sandstone and conglomerate, with some mudstone. Imagine old rivers and lakes leaving behind layers of sand, pebbles, and mud. Over millions of years, these layers turned into the hard rock we see today.
How it Formed
The rocks in the Mint Canyon Formation were laid down by:
- Rivers and Streams: This is called fluvial (FLOOH-vee-ul) activity.
- Alluvial Fans: These are fan-shaped deposits of sand and gravel left by rivers as they flow out of mountains.
- Lakes: This is called lacustrine (luh-KUS-trin) activity.
The Mint Canyon Formation sits on top of another rock layer called the Tick Canyon Formation. It is also covered by other formations, like the Castaic Formation and the Saugus Formation. Sometimes, the layers meet smoothly, and other times there's a gap or angle, which scientists call an angular unconformity. This means there was a period when rocks were tilted or eroded before new layers were laid down.
What Fossils Are Found Here?
The Mint Canyon Formation is famous for its amazing fossils! These fossils tell us about the animals that lived in California during the Middle Miocene part of the Neogene period, millions of years ago. Most of the fossils found here are from animals with backbones, like mammals.
Ancient Mammals
Hoofed Animals (Artiodactyls)
These are animals with hooves and an even number of toes, like deer or pigs.
- ?Merycodus sp.: An ancient deer-like animal.
- Camelidae indet.: Relatives of modern camels.
- Tayassuidae indet.: Ancient pig-like animals called peccaries.
Odd-Toed Hoofed Animals (Perissodactyls)
These animals have hooves and an odd number of toes, like horses or rhinos.
- Hipparion cf. forcei: An ancient three-toed horse.
- Hipparion sp.: Other types of Hipparion horses.
- ?Nannippus sp.: A small, ancient horse.
- Equini indet.: General ancient horse relatives.
- Hipparionini indet.: A group of ancient horses.
- Rhinocerotidae indet.: Ancient rhinoceroses.
Rodents
- Pronotolagus apachensis: An ancient rabbit-like rodent.
Proboscideans
These are large, trunked animals, like elephants.
- Gomphotherium sp.: An ancient relative of elephants, with four tusks!
Carnivores
- Canidae indet.: Ancient dog-like animals.
