Roubidoux Formation facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Roubidoux FormationStratigraphic range: Ordovician |
|
|---|---|
Outcrop of Roubidoux sandstone in the Missouri Ozarks
|
|
| Type | Formation |
| Underlies | Jefferson City Formation in the Missouri Ozarks |
| Overlies | Gasconade Formation |
| Thickness | 100 to 300 feet |
| Lithology | |
| Primary | Sandstone |
| Other | dolomite, chert |
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 36°54′N 92°34′W / 36.90°N 92.57°W |
| Region | Missouri, Virginia |
| Country | United States |
| Type section | |
| Named for | Roubidoux Creek, Texas and Pulaski counties, Missouri |
The Roubidoux Formation is a special geologic formation. It is a layer of rock found in the Ozarks region of Missouri and in Virginia. This rock layer is like a giant history book. It holds amazing clues about Earth's past. It contains fossils of creatures that lived a very, very long time ago. These fossils date back to the Ordovician Period.
Contents
What is the Roubidoux Formation?
A geologic formation is a distinct layer of rock. It has unique features that set it apart from other rock layers. The Roubidoux Formation is mostly made of Sandstone. Sandstone is a rock formed from tiny grains of sand. It also contains dolomite and chert. Dolomite is a type of rock similar to limestone. Chert is a hard, fine-grained rock.
Where is the Roubidoux Formation Found?
You can find the Roubidoux Formation in two main places. It is present in the Ozarks region of Missouri. It is also found in Virginia. This formation gets its name from Roubidoux Creek in Missouri.
How Old is This Rock Layer?
The Roubidoux Formation formed during the Ordovician Period. This period lasted from about 485 million to 443 million years ago. During the Ordovician Period, much of North America was covered by shallow seas. The climate was generally warm. Many new types of sea creatures appeared during this time.
Ancient Life: Fossils in the Roubidoux Formation
The Roubidoux Formation is important because it preserves fossils. Fossils are the remains or traces of ancient life. They can be bones, shells, or even footprints. Fossils help scientists understand what life was like millions of years ago.
What Kinds of Fossils Are Found?
Scientists have found fossils of ancient sea creatures in the Roubidoux Formation. One type of creature found here is called a Monoplacophora. These were small, cap-shaped mollusks. They looked a bit like modern limpets or snails. They lived on the seafloor.
Examples of Monoplacophora Fossils
Two specific types of Monoplacophora fossils have been found. These include:
- Kirengella
- K. oregonensis
- Wildernessia
- W. inexpectans
These fossils give us a peek into the ancient oceans of the Ordovician Period. They show us what kinds of animals swam and crawled on the seafloor so long ago.
