Needmore Shale facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Needmore FormationStratigraphic range: Emsian |
|
|---|---|
| Type | sedimentary |
| Underlies | Marcellus Shale and Millboro Shale |
| Overlies | Oriskany Formation |
| Lithology | |
| Primary | shale |
| Location | |
| Region | Appalachian Mountains |
| Country | United States |
| Extent | Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia |
| Type section | |
| Named for | Needmore, Pennsylvania |
| Named by | Willard and Cleaves, 1939 |
The Needmore Formation or Needmore Shale is a special type of bedrock found in parts of the United States. It was formed a very long time ago during the Devonian Period. You can find this rock unit in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Contents
What is the Needmore Formation?
The Needmore Formation is mainly made of shale. Shale is a type of sedimentary rock that forms from mud or clay. It often splits easily into thin layers.
How it was Discovered
Scientists named Willard and Cleaves first described the Needmore Formation in 1939. They found it in southern Fulton County, Pennsylvania. They said it was a dark to medium-gray shale that contained limestone.
Later, in 1964, other scientists named DeWitt and Colton studied it more. They described it as a soft, brownish-gray and greenish-gray shale. They also noted it was not very strong and could break down easily over time. In their study area, it was about 150 feet thick.
Ancient Life in the Needmore Formation
The Needmore Formation is like a time capsule! It holds clues about ancient life. Scientists DeWitt and Colton found many fossils here.
Types of Fossils Found
- Brachiopods: These are sea creatures that look a bit like clams. They have two shells, but they are different from clams. Some brachiopods found include Coelospira acutiplicata and Eodevonaria arcuata.
- Trilobites: These were ancient sea arthropods, like distant relatives of crabs or insects. They are now extinct. One type found was Phacops cristata.
- Ostracods: These are tiny crustaceans, often called "seed shrimp." They have a shell that looks like a bean pod. An ostracod found here was Favulella favulosa.
Where to See the Needmore Formation
The best place to see this rock unit is near the towns of Needmore and Warfordsburg. Both towns are in southern Fulton County, Pennsylvania. This area is known as the "type locality" because it's where the formation was first officially described.
When Did the Needmore Formation Form?
Scientists use different methods to figure out the age of rocks. They have determined that the Needmore Formation formed during the middle part of the Devonian Period. This period was a very long time ago, often called the "Age of Fish."
