Marl Slate Formation

The Marl Slate Formation is a geological formation in England. Despite its name, it is mostly dolomite rock.^[1] The Marl Slate Formation was formed about 273 to 259 million years ago, during the Guadalupian and Lopingian epochs of the late Permian period of the Earth's geological history.^[1] This formation is part of the Zechstein Group of rocks, and is equivalent to the Kupferschiefer of Germany.^[1] The Marl Slate Formation contains fossils including the conodont Mesogondolella britannica and the dorypterid fishes Dorypterus and Lekanichthys,^[2] as well as the gliding reptile Weigeltisaurus^[3] and terrestrial reptile Protorosaurus^[4] The Marl Slate Formation outcrops in County Durham and Yorkshire in north-east England.^[1]

Marl Slate Formation
Stratigraphic range: Lopingian PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N
Type	Formation
Underlies	Raisby Formation, Cadeby Formation
Overlies	Yellow Sands Formation or unconformity with Carboniferous Coal Measures
Thickness	To 5.48 metres
Lithology
Primary	Dolomite
Location
Region	England
Country	United Kingdom

See also

• Earth sciences portal
• England portal
• Paleontology portal

• Geology of Yorkshire
• List of fossiliferous stratigraphic units in England