Temblor Formation facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Temblor FormationStratigraphic range: Late Oligocene-Mid Miocene ~28–11.6Ma |
|
|---|---|
| Type | Geologic formation |
| Sub-units | Agua Sandstone Member, Buttonbed Sandstone Member, Carneros Sandstone Member, Cymric Shale Member, Devilwater Siltstone, Gould Shale, Media Shale Member, Round Mountain Silt, Santos Shale Member, Wygal Sandstone Member |
| Underlies | Monterey Formation |
| Lithology | |
| Primary | Shale, sandstone |
| Location | |
| Region | Western San Joaquin Valley, Kern County, California |
| Country | United States |
| Type section | |
| Named for | Temblor Ranch, McKittrick district, Kern County |
| Named by | Anderson |
| Year defined | 1905 |
The Temblor Formation is a special set of rock layers found in California. It's like a giant history book made of stone! These rocks hold amazing clues about ancient life. Scientists have found fossils here from a very long time ago. These fossils date back to the Late Oligocene and Middle Miocene periods. This was about 28 to 11.6 million years ago! The most famous spot in the Temblor Formation is called Sharktooth Hill. It's a super important place for finding fossils.
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Uncovering Ancient Life in the Temblor Formation
The Temblor Formation is famous for its incredible collection of fossils. These ancient remains tell us a lot about what California was like millions of years ago. Imagine a time when giant sharks swam in warm oceans and strange mammals roamed the land!
What Kinds of Fossils Are Found?
Scientists have discovered many different types of animals preserved in the rocks of the Temblor Formation. From huge sharks to ancient birds and unique mammals, this area is a treasure chest for paleontologists.
Ancient Fish: Sharks and Rays
The Temblor Formation is especially known for its fossilized fish, particularly sharks and rays. Many different kinds of sharks once lived here, including some truly enormous ones!
Sharks
This list shows some of the ancient sharks found in the Temblor Formation:
- Carcharias
- Cephaloscyllium
- Cetorhinus
- †Carcharocles megalodon
- †Galeocerdo aduncus
- †Hemipristis serra
- Heterodontus
- Hexanchus
- †Isurus desori
- †Isurus hastalis
- †Isurus planus
- Megachasma
- Notorhynchus
- †Parotodus benedenii
- Scyliorhinus
- Squalus
- Squatina
Rays and Skates
Rays and skates are flat-bodied fish related to sharks. Their fossils are also found in the Temblor Formation:
- Dasyatis
- Myliobatis
Reptiles of the Past
Besides fish, some ancient reptiles have also been found in these rocks. These include different types of sea turtles that swam in the ancient oceans.
- Pacifichelys
- †Chelonia californiensis
- †Syllomus aegyptiacus
Birds from Millions of Years Ago
Many types of ancient birds, especially seabirds, have left their fossils in the Temblor Formation. Some of these birds were huge, with wingspans much larger than today's birds!
- †Diomedea californica
- †D. milleri
- †Fulmarus miocaenus
- †Hadrogyps aigialerus
- †Megalodytes morejohni
- †Morus vagabundus
- †Pandion homalopteron
- †Pelagornis cf. orri
- †Presbychen abavus
- †Puffinus inceptor
- †P. milleri
- †P. priscus
Ancient Mammals
The Temblor Formation also contains fossils of ancient mammals. These include early relatives of horses, strange marine mammals, and even ancient whales.
- †Allodesmus kernensis
- †Bouromeryx americanus
- †Hypohippus
- †Miotapirus
- †Paleoparadoxia tabatai
- †Paratomarctus temerarius
- †Pelagiarctos thomasi
- †Aulophyseter morricei
- †Oedolithax mira
- †Loxolithax sinuosa
- †Parietobalaena securis
