Earth:Vega Formation

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Short description: Geological formation in Asturias, Spain
Vega Formation
Stratigraphic range: Kimmeridgian
~155–151 Ma
TypeGeological formation
Unit ofRibadesella Group
UnderliesTereñes Formation
OverliesRodiles Formation
Thickness150 metres
Lithology
PrimarySandstone, Mudstone
OtherConglomerate
Location
Coordinates [ ⚑ ] : 43°30′N 5°18′W / 43.5°N 5.3°W / 43.5; -5.3
Paleocoordinates [ ⚑ ] 35°42′N 7°00′E / 35.7°N 7.0°E / 35.7; 7.0
RegionAsturias
Country Spain
Vega Formation is located in Spain
Vega Formation
Vega Formation (Spain)
Vega Formation is located in Asturias
Vega Formation
Vega Formation (Asturias)

The Vega Formation is a Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian) geologic formation of the Ribadesella Group in Asturias, Spain .[1] Dinosaur remains diagnostic to the genus level are among the fossils that have been recovered from the formation.[2] The formation is around 150 metres thick and consists of "alternating white, pale grey and reddish sandstones, and red mudstones with several sporadic conglomeratic beds typically arranged in minor finnig-upward cycles within a major cycle of the same character". An isolated caudal theropod vertebra and a partial tooth are known from the formation, belonging to large megalosaurids around 10 metres in length, comparable to Torvosaurus. Other remains known from the formation include fragmentary turtle remains, crocodylomorph teeth, as well as a sauropod caudal vertebra (MUJA-0650). Dinosaur tracks are also known from the formation, including large theropod footprints and poorly preserved quadrupedal dinosaur footprints.[3]

Paleofauna

See also

  • List of dinosaur-bearing rock formations
    • List of stratigraphic units with few dinosaur genera
  • Lastres Formation, contemporaneous fossiliferous formation of Asturias

References

  1. Vega Formation at Fossilworks.org
  2. Weishampel, et al. (2004). "Dinosaur distribution." Pp. 517-607.
  3. Rauhut, Oliver W. M.; Piñuela, Laura; Castanera, Diego; García-Ramos, José-Carlos; Cela, Irene Sánchez (2018-07-05). "The largest European theropod dinosaurs: remains of a gigantic megalosaurid and giant theropod tracks from the Kimmeridgian of Asturias, Spain" (in en). PeerJ 6: e4963. doi:10.7717/peerj.4963. ISSN 2167-8359. PMID 30002951. 
  4. Ruiz Omeñaca et al., 2013

Bibliography

  • Ruiz Omeñaca, J.I.; X. Pereda Suberbiola; L. Piñuela, and J.C. García Ramos. 2013. First evidence of stegosaurs (Dinosauria: Thyreophora) in the Vega Formation, Kimmeridgian, Asturias, N Spain. Geogaceta 53. 37-40.
  • Weishampel, David B.; Peter Dodson, and Halszka Osmólska (eds.). 2004. The Dinosauria, 2nd edition, 1–880. Berkeley: University of California Press. Accessed 2019-02-21. ISBN:0-520-24209-2