Soncco Formation

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Soncco Formation
Stratigraphic range: Late Eocene-Early Oligocene
43–30  Ma
Type Geological formation
Unit of San Jerónimo Group
Sub-unitsC, D & E Members
Underlies Punacancha Fm., Tinajani Fm.
Overlies K'ayra Formation
Thickness1,600 m (5,200 ft)
Lithology
Primary Conglomerate, sandstone
Other Coal, lacustrine limestone
Location
Coordinates 13°20′12″S71°44′28″W / 13.33667°S 71.74111°W / -13.33667; -71.74111
Region Puno & Cusco Regions
CountryFlag of Peru.svg  Peru
Type section
Named forSoncco
Blakey 035Ma - COL.jpg
Paleogeography of Northern South America, 35 Ma
by Ron Blakey
Peru physical map.svg
Orange pog.svg
Type locality of the Soncco Formation in Peru

The Soncco Formation is a Late Eocene to Early Oligocene geologic formation in southern Peru. The base of the formation at the contact with the K'ayra Formation is dated using fission track analysis at 43 Ma and the top, the contact with the Punacancha Formation, at 30 Ma. [1] In other places the Tinajani Formation overlies the Soncco Formation. [2] The formation has a thickness of 1,600 metres (5,200 ft). [3]

Contents

Misattributed ornithopod tracks

The formation was first dated to the Cretaceous, and fossil ornithopod tracks had been reported. [4] Over 9,000 fossil tracks are said to be found within this formation.[ citation needed ] As the formation has been dated to the Paleogene, the tracks could not be attributed to dinosaurs. [1]

References

  1. 1 2 Carlotto, 2016, p.522
  2. La Torre et al., 2004, p.116
  3. Cusco.gob, 2015, p.120
  4. Weishampel, et al. (2004). "Dinosaur distribution." Pp. 517-607.

Bibliography