Trenton Group facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Trenton GroupStratigraphic range: Late Ordovician |
|
|---|---|
| Type | Group |
| Underlies | Cincinnati Group and Utica Shale |
| Overlies | Black River Group |
| Lithology | |
| Primary | Limestone |
| Location | |
| Region | New York and West Virginia |
| Country | United States |
The Trenton Group is a special collection of limestone rock layers. Geologists call it a geologic group. You can find these rocks mainly in New York State.
These rocks hold amazing clues about Earth's past. They preserve fossils of ancient life forms. These fossils date back to a time called the Ordovician period.
Contents
What is the Trenton Group?
The Trenton Group is like a giant stack of rock pages. Each page tells a story about Earth's history. This group is mostly made of a rock called limestone.
Limestone is a common type of rock. It often forms from the shells and skeletons of tiny sea creatures. These creatures lived in ancient oceans. When they died, their remains settled on the seafloor. Over millions of years, these layers turned into solid rock.
Journey to the Ordovician Period
The Ordovician Period was a very long time ago. It started about 485 million years ago. It ended around 443 million years ago. During this time, Earth looked very different.
Most of the planet was covered by warm, shallow seas. There were no land animals or plants yet. Life thrived in the oceans. This period is famous for its rich marine life.
Amazing Ancient Fossils
The Trenton Group is important because of its fossils. These fossils are like snapshots of life from the Ordovician Period. They help scientists understand ancient ecosystems.
You can find many types of marine fossils in these rocks. Some common ones include trilobites. These were ancient sea bugs. There are also brachiopods, which look like clams. You might also find crinoids, which are sometimes called "sea lilies." These fossils show us what life was like when the Trenton Group rocks were forming.
Where Can You Find It?
The Trenton Group is named after Trenton, New Jersey. However, the main rock layers are found in New York. You can also find parts of this rock group in West Virginia.
Studying these rocks helps geologists. They learn about how continents moved. They also discover how ancient oceans changed over time. The Trenton Group is a key part of understanding the geology of the eastern United States.
