Mineral Fork Formation | |
---|---|
Stratigraphic range: Proterozoic | |
Type | sedimentary |
Underlies | Mutual Formation (Big Cottonwood Canyon), Tintic Formation (Santaquin-Provo), or Kelly Canyon Formation (Antelope Island)[1] |
Overlies | Farmington Canyon Complex (Antelope Island), Big Cottonwood Formation (other locations)[1] |
Thickness | 1000 to 3000 feet |
Lithology | |
Primary | Tillite, Shale, Quartzite, Conglomerate |
Location | |
Region | Southern Rocky Mountains |
Extent | Wasatch Mountains, Antelope Island |
Type section | |
Named for | Mineral Fork, Salt Lake County, Utah |
Named by | Granger et al., 1952[2] |
The Mineral Fork Formation is a mapped Proterozoic bedrock unit in Utah.
Description[edit]
Granger et al. (1952) describe the Mineral Fork Formation as black tillite consisting of boulders, cobbles and pebbles of quartzite, limestone, or granitic rocks in a black sandy matrix, with dark-gray to black varved slate or shale, dark-gray quartzite, and occasional channel fillings of boulder conglomerate.[2]
Exposures[edit]
According to Yonkee et al. (2000), the Mineral Fork is exposed at the following locations in Utah:[1]
And also:
Fossils[edit]
Abundant microfossils of planktonic alga of Bavlinella faveolata.[3]
Age[edit]
The presence of Bavlinella faveolata in the formation indicates a likely age of 750–650 Ma, because this fossil occurs elsewhere where it is well-dated radiometrically. The Mineral Fork Formation is no older than 1,250 Ma and no younger than 540 Ma. Thus it is likely Neoproterozoic but possibly Mesoproterozoic.[3]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c Yonkee, W.A, Willis, G.C., and Doelling, H.H., 2000, Proterozoic and Cambrian Sedimentary and Low-grade Metasedimentary Rocks on Antelope Island, in The Geology of Antelope Island, Davis County, Utah, eds. J.K. King and G.C. Willis, Utah Geological Survey, p. 37–47.
- ^ a b Granger, A.E., Calkins, F.C., Crittenden, M.D., Jr., and Sharp, B.J., 1952, Geology of the Wasatch Mountains east of Salt Lake City, IN Marcel, R.E., ed., Geology of the central Wasatch Mountains, Utah: Utah Geological Society, Guidebook to the geology of Utah, no. 8, p. 1-37.
- ^ a b Knoll, A.H., Blick, N., and Awramik, S.M., 1981, Stratigraphic and ecologic implications of late Precambrian microfossils from Utah: American Journal of Science, v. 281, no. 3, p. 247-263.
Well, that’s interesting to know that Psilotum nudum are known as whisk ferns. Psilotum nudum is the commoner species of the two. While the P. flaccidum is a rare species and is found in the tropical islands. Both the species are usually epiphytic in habit and grow upon tree ferns. These species may also be terrestrial and grow in humus or in the crevices of the rocks.
View the detailed Guide of Psilotum nudum: Detailed Study Of Psilotum Nudum (Whisk Fern), Classification, Anatomy, Reproduction