Jama Formation
| Jama Formation | |
|---|---|
| Stratigraphic range: Pliocene-Early Pleistocene (Montehermosan-Ensenadan) ~ | |
| Type | Geological formation |
| Lithology | |
| Primary | Claystone, sandstone |
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 0°12′S 80°18′W / 0.2°S 80.3°W |
| Approximate paleocoordinates | 0°18′S 79°54′W / 0.3°S 79.9°W |
| Region | Manabí Province |
| Country |  Ecuador |
| Type section | |
| Named for | Jama |
  Jama Formation (Ecuador) | |
The Jama Formation is a Pliocene to Early Pleistocene (Montehermosan to Ensenadan in the SALMA classification) geologic formation in Ecuador. The claystones and sandstones were deposited in an coastal environment. The age of the Jama Formation is constrained by 40Ar/39Ar dating of tephra beds.[1] The formation is correlated to the Charco Azul Formation of western Panama and southeastern Costa Rica.[2]
Subdivision[edit]
The formation is subdivided in, from top to base:
- El Matal Member (60 metres (200 ft), fluvial)
- Punta Ballena Member (lower shoreface)
- Punta Pasa Borracho Member (20 metres (66 ft), marine)
Fossil content[edit]
The formation has provided bivalve, gastropod and scaphopod fossils.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Jama Formation at Fossilworks.org
- ^ Charco Azul Formation at Fossilworks.org
Further reading[edit]
- G. Cantalamessa, C. Di Celma, and L. Ragaini. 2005. Sequence stratigraphy of the Punta Ballena Member of the Jama Formation (Early Pleistocene, Ecuador): insights from integrated sedimentologic, taphonomic and paleoecologic analysis of molluscan shell concentrations. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 216:1-25
- H. A. Pilsbry and A.A. Olsson. 1941. A Pliocene fauna from Western Ecuador. Proceedings of the Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 93:1-79