Williams Fork Formation facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Williams Fork FormationStratigraphic range: Campanian (Edmontonian) ~84–71Ma |
|
|---|---|
| Type | Geological formation |
| Unit of | Mesaverde Group |
| Lithology | |
| Primary | Mudstone |
| Other | Sandstone |
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 40°00′N 108°48′W / 40.0°N 108.8°W |
| Approximate paleocoordinates | 47°30′N 80°18′W / 47.5°N 80.3°W |
| Region | Colorado |
| Country |  United States |
The Williams Fork Formation is a special layer of rock found in Colorado. Geologists, who are scientists who study rocks, call it a geologic formation. It's like a giant history book made of stone. This rock layer formed a very long time ago, during a period called the Campanian Age.
Scientists study formations like the Williams Fork to learn about Earth's past. They look for clues hidden in the rocks, especially fossils. These fossils tell us what kinds of plants and animals lived millions of years ago.
Contents
What is the Williams Fork Formation?
The Williams Fork Formation is part of a larger group of rock layers called the Mesaverde Group. Think of it like a chapter in a very big book. This formation is mostly made up of two types of rock: mudstone and sandstone.
Mudstone forms from ancient mud and clay. Sandstone forms from ancient sand. These rocks tell us that the area where Colorado is now used to be very different. It was a place with rivers, swamps, and even shallow seas.
How Old is the Williams Fork Formation?
The Williams Fork Formation dates back to the Campanian Age. This was a time period within the Cretaceous Period. The Campanian Age lasted from about 84 to 71 million years ago.
To give you an idea, this was near the end of the age of dinosaurs. Many famous dinosaurs, like Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops, lived around this time. The fossils found in the Williams Fork Formation help us understand what life was like during this ancient era.
Where Can You Find It?
The Williams Fork Formation is located in the state of Colorado in the United States. Geologists study it in different parts of the state. The rocks are exposed in places where erosion has worn away the layers above them.
Studying these rock layers helps scientists understand the geology of Colorado. It also helps them find important resources.
Ancient Life: Fossils of the Williams Fork Formation
The most exciting part about the Williams Fork Formation is the amazing fossils found there. These fossils are like snapshots of life from millions of years ago. They include ancient animals that lived on land and in water.
Dinosaurs of the Past
Dinosaur remains have been discovered in the Williams Fork Formation. One of the most notable finds is Pentaceratops sternbergii. Pentaceratops was a large, plant-eating dinosaur. It had a big frill around its neck and five horns on its face.
While Pentaceratops fossils are important, scientists have found other dinosaur bones too. However, many of these bones have not yet been linked to a specific dinosaur genus. This means we know they are from dinosaurs, but we don't know exactly which kind yet. It's like finding a puzzle piece without knowing the full picture!
Other Amazing Fossils
Besides dinosaurs, many other types of fossils have been found. These include:
- Ammonites: These were ancient sea creatures. They looked a bit like squids living inside a coiled shell, similar to a modern-day nautilus. Finding ammonites tells us that parts of this area were once covered by shallow seas.
- Neosuchia: This group includes ancient relatives of modern-day crocodiles and alligators. Their fossils suggest that rivers and swamps were common in the area.
- Meniscoessus collomensis: This was a small, ancient mammal. Finding mammal fossils from this time is very important. It helps scientists understand how mammals were evolving alongside dinosaurs.
These fossils give us a clear picture of the ancient environment. They show a world with large dinosaurs, marine life, and early mammals. The Williams Fork Formation is a treasure trove for understanding Earth's deep past.
