Eumeralla Formation

Geological formation in Victoria, Australia From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Eumeralla Formation

The Eumeralla Formation is a geological formation in Victoria, Australia whose strata date back to the Early Cretaceous. It is Aptian to Albian in age. Dinosaur remains are among the fossils that have been recovered from the formation, particularly from the Dinosaur Cove locality.[1]

Quick Facts Type, Unit of ...
Eumeralla Formation
Stratigraphic range: Aptian–Albian
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Eric the Red West fossil locality, with AS and ES representing Anchor Sandstone and ETRW Sandstone respectively
TypeGeological formation
Unit ofOtway Group
Sub-unitsWindermere Sandstone Member, Heathfield Sandstone Member
UnderliesSherbrook Group
OverliesKatnook Sandstone, Laira Formation (Crayfish Subgroup)
ThicknessUp to 3,000 m (9,800 ft)
Lithology
PrimaryVolcanilithic sandstone, siltstone, mudstone, conglomerate
Location
Coordinates38.8°S 143.3°E / -38.8; 143.3
Approximate paleocoordinates74.8°S 115.8°E / -74.8; 115.8
Region Victoria
Country Australia
ExtentOtway Basin
Type section
Named forEumeralla River
Named byReynolds, M.A
Year defined1971
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Exposure of the Eumeralla Formation in green at the bottom-left
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Geology

The Eumeralla Formation was deposited within the Otway Basin, which at the time of deposition was part of an extensional rift valley system formed between Australia and Antarctica. The lithology primarily consists of fluvially deposited siliciclastics derived from volcanic material. The strata of the Eumeralla Formation are folded as a result of northwest–southeast crustal compression during the Neogene, which also reactivated some Cretaceous aged normal faults.[2] It is one of three major fossiliferous deposits in Victoria dating to the Early Cretaceous, including the older Wonthaggi Formation and the Koonwarra fossil bed (which some authors have considered part of the Eumeralla Formation).[3]

Paleobiota

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Perspective

Invertebrate traces named as Skolithos sp. and Arenicolites sp.,[4] as well as indeterminate ornithischian tracks are present in Victoria, Australia.[1] Indeterminate ornithopod remains are present at Eric the Red West locality and Elliot River, including material that possibly belongs to a new taxon.[5] Indeterminate theropod and possible indeterminate dromaeosaurid remains are present in Victoria, Australia.[1] An indeterminate unenlagiine is known from the formation.[6][7]

Dinosaurs

Ornithischians

More information Ornithischians of the Eumeralla Formation, Genus ...
Ornithischians of the Eumeralla Formation
Genus Species Presence Material Notes Images
Ankylosauria[8] Indeterminate Dinosaur Cove Dorsal vertebra

Atlascopcosaurus[1]

A. loadsi[1]

  • Dinosaur Cove
  • Eric the Red West locality[5]

"Maxilla [and] teeth."[9]

Elasmarian ornithopod
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Diluvicursor[2]

D. pickeringi[2] Eric the Red West locality Partial postcranial skeleton.[2] Elasmarian ornithopod
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cf.Galleonosaurus G. dorisae[5] Eric the Red West locality Maxillae Elasmarian ornithopod
Leaellynasaura[1] L. amicagraphica[1]
  • Dinosaur Cove
  • Eric the Red West locality[5]
Skull fragments, teeth, maxillae. Postcranial remains associated with the taxon cannot be confidently referred to it Elasmarian ornithopod
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Theropods

More information Dinosaurs of the Eumeralla Formation, Genus ...
Dinosaurs of the Eumeralla Formation
Genus Species Presence Material Notes Images
cf. Australovenator[10] cf. A. wintonensis Eric the Red West locality "two teeth, two manual unguals, and a right astragalus" Megaraptoran theropod
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Aves[11]

Indeterminate Footprints belonging to a crane-sized bird, determined to be an ornithurine or enantiornithe. Possibly from a species also found at the Wonthaggi Formation (single furcula).
Carcharodontosauria[12] Indeterminate "Isolated, distal end of a right tibia" First probable record of carcharodontosaurian theropod in Australia
Elaphrosaurinae[13] Indeterminate Eric the Red West locality Single cervical vertebra

Megaraptora[14][15]

Indeterminate Dinosaur Cove

Known from a left ulna.

Probably a megaraptorid. Previously referred to Megaraptor.[16]
Megaraptoridae[10]

Indeterminate

Eric the Red West locality Known from a single cervical vertebra. Previously thought to be a Baryonyx-related spinosaurid.[17]
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Timimus[1] T. hermani[1] Dinosaur Cove Femur Possible tyrannosauroid theropod
Unenlagiinae[18] Indeterminate Proximal portion of right femur Probable record of unenlagiine theropod in Australia
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Fish

More information Fish of the Eumeralla Formation, Genus ...
Fish of the Eumeralla Formation
Genus Species Presence Material Notes Images
Ceratodus C. nargun A lungfish
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Ceratodus
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Mammals

More information Mammals of the Eumeralla Formation, Genus ...
Mammals of the Eumeralla Formation
Genus Species Presence Material Notes Images
Kryoryctes K. cadburyi Dinosaur Cove A monotreme
Sundrius S. ziegleri A monotreme
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Reptiles

More information Reptiles of the Eumeralla Formation, Genus ...
Reptiles of the Eumeralla Formation
Genus Species Presence Material Notes Images
Otwayemys O. cunicularius Dinosaur Cove A meiolaniform turtle
Pterosauria Indeterminate Dinosaur Cove
Plesiosauria Indeterminate Dinosaur Cove
Mesoeucrocodylia Indeterminate Dinosaur Cove[19] Distinct from other known Australian crocodilians
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See also

References

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