Kokoamu Greensand

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Kokoamu Greensand
Stratigraphic range: Chattian
~27.3–25.2  Ma
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Type Geological formation
Unit of Otiake Group
Underlies Otekaike Limestone
Overlies Earthquakes Marl
Thicknessup to 7 metres (20 ft)
Lithology
Primary Greensand
Other Limestone
Location
Coordinates 44°42′S170°30′E / 44.7°S 170.5°E / -44.7; 170.5
Approximate paleocoordinates 50°30′S176°18′W / 50.5°S 176.3°W / -50.5; -176.3
Region Canterbury, Otago
CountryNew Zealand
ExtentAround Duntroon, South Island
New Zealand (relief map).png
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Kokoamu Greensand (New Zealand)

The Kokoamu Greensand is a geological formation found in New Zealand. It is a fossil-bearing, late Oligocene, greensand rock unit of the eastern South Island, especially the Waitaki District of North Otago and the southern Canterbury region. The formation was named by geologist Maxwell Gage in the 1950s. In North Otago it underlies the thicker and harder Otekaike Limestone. [1] The formation gets its green colour from the mineral glauconite which forms slowly on the ocean floor.

Contents

Fossil content

The formation was laid down in shallow seas some 26-30 million years ago. It contains abundant microfossils of foraminifera, ostracods and coccoliths, those of larger marine invertebrates such as the shells of brachiopods, gastropods and scallops, as well as corals, echinoderms, and crustaceans. Vertebrates found in the formation include fish, penguins and cetaceans. Many of the fossils discovered in the formation are held in the Geology Museum of the University of Otago. [1]

Penguins
Cetaceans

Further reading

Related Research Articles

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References

  1. 1 2 Fordyce, R. Ewan. "The Kokoamu Greensand – Late Oligocene, New Zealand". Geological Settings. Department of Geology, University of Otago. Retrieved 2012-02-29.
  2. ↑ Maerewhenua at Fossilworks.org
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Duntroon at Fossilworks.org
  4. ↑ J40/f190 - Waihao River at Fossilworks.org
  5. ↑ Waipati Creek at Fossilworks.org
  6. 1 2 Hakataramea Valley at Fossilworks.org
  7. ↑ Tanaka, Yoshihiro; Fordyce, R. Ewan (2017). "Awamokoa tokarahi, a new basal dolphin in the Platanistoidea (late Oligocene, New Zealand)" (PDF). Journal of Systematic Palaeontology. 15 (5): 365–386. Bibcode:2017JSPal..15..365T. doi:10.1080/14772019.2016.1202339 . Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  8. ↑ Haughs Quarry at Fossilworks.org
  9. ↑ J40/f70 - Waihao River at Fossilworks.org
  10. ↑ Corrie, Joshua E.; Fordyce, R. Ewan (19 October 2024). "A new genus and species of kekenodontid from the late Oligocene of New Zealand with comments on the evolution of tooth displacement in Cetacea". Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand . 54 (5): 722–737. doi:10.1080/03036758.2023.2297696. ISSN   0303-6758. PMC   11459822 . PMID   39440285 . Retrieved 13 November 2024– via Taylor and Francis Online.
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