Panther Seep Formation

The Panther Seep Formation is a geologic formation found in the mountain ranges of south-central New Mexico.^[1] It preserves fossils dating back to the late Pennsylvanian to early Permian.^[2]

Panther Seep Formation
Stratigraphic range: Kasimovian–Cisuralian PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N
Type	Formation
Underlies	Hueco Group
Overlies	Lead Camp Limestone, Bishop Cap Formation
Thickness	200–2,640 ft (61–805 m)
Lithology
Primary	Shale
Other	Sandstone, limestone
Location
Coordinates	33°14′17″N 106°40′42″W
Region	New Mexico
Country	United States
Type section
Named for	Panther Seep
Named by	Kottlowski et al.
Year defined	1956
Panther Seep Formation (the United States) Show map of the United States Panther Seep Formation (New Mexico) Show map of New Mexico

Description

The formation is highly variable in lithology, consisting of interbedded black to reddish sandy, silty, or calcareous shale; brown to olive calcareous siltstone, brown to gray calcareous arkosic sandstone; gypsum; and gray argillaceous to silty limestone. It varies in thickness from 200–2,640 feet (61–805 m).^[1][2] It overlies the Lead Camp Limestone or Bishop Cap Formation and is overlain by the Hueco Group.^[3]

The unit likely correlates with Bar B Formation in the Caballo Mountains and the Holder Formation in the Sacramento Mountains.^[2]

Fossils

The formation includes patch reefs and numerous fusulinids of Virgilian (Gzhelian) age.^[1] The formation also contains algae and some invertebrate fossils typical of the Virgilian. The lower beds may be Missourian (Kasimovian) in age while the uppermost beds may be Wolfcampian (Cisuralian) in age.

History of investigation

The formation was first defined by F.E. Kottlowski and coinvestigators in 1956, who divided it into informal upper and lower members.^[1]

See also

• Earth sciences portal
• Paleontology portal

• List of fossiliferous stratigraphic units in New Mexico
• Paleontology in New Mexico