Valentine Formation

Last updated
Valentine Formation
Stratigraphic range: Miocene
Natural seeps PA120590.jpg
Looser sand of the Valentine Formation sloping back from its contact with the Rosebud Formation on the Niobrara River at the Valentine, Nebraska, type location. Water from the Ogallala Aquifer seeps from the base of the Valentine down the face of the Rosebud. [1]
Type Formation / Member
Unit of Ogallala Formation
OverliesEroded and weathered Miocene units, Pierre Shale (Nebraska), and Niobrara Chalks
Location
RegionFlag of South Dakota.svg  South Dakota, Flag of Nebraska.svg  Nebraska, Flag of Kansas.svg  Kansas
CountryFlag of the United States.svg  United States
Type section
Named forValentine Railway Quarries, Valentine, Nebraska

The Valentine Formation is a geologic unit formation or member within the Ogallala unit in northcentral Nebraska near the South Dakota border. It preserves fossils dating to the Miocene epoch of the Neogene period and is particularly noted for Canid fossils. [2] [3] This unit consists of loosely-consolidated sandstone that crumbles easily. These sands carry the water of the Ogallala Aquifer and is the source of much of the water in the Niobrara River. [1] A particular feature of the Valentine is lenticular beds of green-gray opaline sandstone that can be identified in other states, including South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, and Colorado. Although three mammalian fauna stages can be mapped throughout the range of the Ogallala, no beddings of the Ogallala are mappable and all attempts of formally applying the Valentine name to any mappable lithology beyond the type location have been abandoned. Even so, opaline sandstone [4] has been used to refer to this green-gray opalized conglomerate sandstone that is widely found in the lower Ogallala Formation.

Contents

Development, the earliest Ogallala deposits

At the beginning of the Ogallala times, as sediments began washing out from the rising Rocky Mountains into the central plains states, the members of the Pierre Shale [5] and Niobrara Formation outcrop had been largely exposed in their present outcrop range. The Niobrara had been broadly incised by the present river systems, but only to a fraction of their present depths. Therefore, the earliest Ogallala deposits, the time of the Valentine deposits, filled in these shallower valleys; but there was no continuous exposure over the range of the eastern outcrop of the Ogallala. [6] [4] Isolated exposures of the Valentine phase have been located along the Niobrara outcrop and quarried along the Smoky Hill River, Solomon River, Republican River, and Niobrara River where these watersheds have cut deeply down through the Niobrara Chalk into the Carlile Shale.

Lithology

The Valentine Formation presents white, buff, gray to gray-green, unconsolidated, fine-to-coarse grained, fluvial siltstone, channel sandstone, and gravel eroded from uplift of the Rocky Mountains as well as locally eroded materials, [7] particularly Niobrara chalk cobbles and chalk sand. [8] Thin, localized beds of caliche are abundant. A specific index stone for the Valentine is the lenticular beds of grey-green opaline sandstone. Locally thick beds of volcanic ash are associated with the underlying opaline sandstone

Distribution

Even as discussed above, the term Valentine is not now formally used outside of Northcentral Nebraska, older literature in other states with Ogallala may refer to the name.

The opaline sandstone of the lower Ogallala is recognized in Kansas in outcrops on hills to the east of the limits of the upper Ogallala (e.g., Rush, Graham, and Rooks counties). These outcrops, which formed in the bottoms of shallow valleys, are now found on the upper slopes of deeper valleys; that is, in inverted topographies. [9] [10]

The Ogallala's opaline sandstone is to be found in Arkansas River gravel at Pueblo, Colorado. [11]

Uses

The silicate cementation makes the opaline sandstone denser and harder than any other local stone, and it has been quarried as ballast, road gravel, and dam outflow rip-rap (e.g., Cedar Bluff Reservoir, Sherman Dam [12] ). The opaline sandstone has had limited use in construction, and example being the structures in the city park of Hill City, Kansas. Beds of flint or chert can be found higher in the Valentine and the weathered Niobrara Chalk is also silicified where there is contact with these beds in the Valentine.

Fossil content

Color key
Taxon Reclassified taxonTaxon falsely reported as presentDubious taxon or junior synonym Ichnotaxon Ootaxon Morphotaxon
Notes
Uncertain or tentative taxa are in small text; crossed out taxa are discredited.

Mammals

Bats

Bats reported from the Valentine Formation
GenusSpeciesLocationStratigraphic positionMaterialNotesImages
Cf. Myotis Cf. M. sp.Annies Geese Cross Quarry, Knox County, Nebraska. [13] Crookston Bridge Member. [13] Right dentary lacking posterior end & teeth (UNSM 52004). [13] A mouse-eared bat approximately the size of Myotis septentrionalis . [13]
Potamonycteris P. biperforatusAnnies Geese Cross Quarry, Knox County, Nebraska. [13] Crookston Bridge Member. [13] Left half of a rostrum (UNSM 52008). [13] A vespertilionid.

Carnivorans

Carnivorans reported from the Valentine Formation
GenusSpeciesLocationStratigraphic positionMaterialNotesImages
Aelurodon A. ferox Boyd, Cherry, Brown, Knox, Keyapaha & possibly Sheridan counties, Nebraska. [2] [14] Crookston Bridge, Cornell Dam, Devil's Gulch, Burge members. [2] [14] Numerous specimens. [2] A borophagine dog.
Aelurodon ferox.jpg
A. mcgrewi Brown, Cherry & Keya Paha counties, Nebraska. [14] Devil's Gulch & Crookston Bridge members. [14] Numerous skull elements. [14] A borophagine dog.
A. stirtoni Cherry County, Nebraska. [2] [14] Crookston Bridge & Burge members. [2] [14] Numerous remains. [2] [14] A borophagine dog, originally reported as Strobodon . Also found in the Tesuque Formation.
Aelurodon stirtoni skeleton.jpg
?Amphicyonidae Gen. et. sp. indet.Railway Quarry "A", Cherry County, Nebraska. [2] Crookston Bridge Member. [2] Right femur lacking head (UNSM 76638). [2] Large carnivore, possibly a bear-dog.
Bassariscus B. parvusRailway Quarry "A", Cherry County, Nebraska. [2] Crookston Bridge Member. [2] Left ramus (UNSM 25466). [2] A procyonid.
Carpocyon C. compressus Cherry, Brown, Boyd & Keyapaha counties, Nebraska. [14] Cornell Dam, Crookston Bridge & Devil's Gulch members. [14] Numerous specimens. [14] A borophagine dog also known from the Ogallala, Pawnee Creek & Esmeralda formations.
C. cuspidatusRailway Quarry "A", Cherry County, Nebraska. [2] Crookston Bridge Member. [2] Skull elements. [2] A borophagine dog.
C. webbiBrown & Cherry counties, Nebraska. [14] Burge Member. [14] Many skull & jaw elements. [14] A borophagine dog also found in the Ash Hollow, Tesuque & Chamita formations.
Carpocyon webbi 2.jpeg
Cynarctus C. saxatilis Cherry, Brown, Knox & Webster counties, Nebraska. [2] [14] Crookston Bridge, Cornell Dam & Devil's Gulch members. [2] [14] Numerous specimens. [2] [14] A borophagine dog.
Cynarctus.jpeg
Felidae Gen. et. sp. indet.Railway Quarry "A", Cherry County, Nebraska. [2] Crookston Bridge Member. [2] Partial left maxilla (UNSM 76641). [2] A large cat.
Hyperailurictis H. intrepidus Brown & Cherry counties, Nebraska. [15] Ramus remains. [15] A felid originally reported as Pseudaelurus .
H. marshi Cherry County, Nebraska. [15] Articulated left & right rami (YPM 12865). [15] A felid originally reported as Pseudaelurus .
Ischyrocyon I. gidleyi Cherry, Brown, Knox & Sheridan counties, Nebraska. [16] Devil's Gulch & Burge members. [16] A bear-dog.
Leptarctus L. cf. bozemanensisRailway Quary "A", Cherry County, Nebraska. [2] Crookston Bridge Member. [2] Partial left ramus (UNSM 25467). [2] A mustelid.
Leptocyon L. vafer Brown, Cherry, Keya Paha, Knox & Sheridan counties, Nebraska. [2] [17] Cornell Dam, Crookston Bridge, Devil's Gulch, & Burge members. [2] [17] Abundant specimens. [2] [17] A canine dog.
Leptocyon head restoration.jpg
Mustelidae Gen. et. sp. indet.Railway Quarry "A", Cherry County, Nebraska. [2] Crookston Bridge Member. [2] Left ramus (UNSM 76640). [2] A small carnivore.
Paratomarctus P. euthos Cherry, Brown & Sheridan counties, Nebraska. [14] Burge Member. [14] Abundant remains. [14] A borophagine dog also known from the Ash Hollow Formation.
P. temerarius Brown, Cherry & Webster counties, Nebraska. [14] Cornell Dam, Crookston Bridge & Devil's Gulch members. [14] Abundant remains. [14] A borophagine dog.
Paratomarctus temerarius mandible.jpg
Pseudaelurus P. intrepidus Brown & Cherry counties, Nebraska. [15] Ramus remains. [15] Moved to the genus Hyperailurictis . [18]
P. marshi Cherry County, Nebraska. [15] Articulated left & right rami (YPM 12865). [15] Moved to the genus Hyperailurictis . [18]
Pseudocyon P. sp. Brown (Norden Bridge, Lucht & June quarries) & Cherry counties, Nebraska. [16] Burge Member. [16] A bear-dog.
Strobodon S. stirtoniRailway Quarries, Cherry County, Nebraska. [2] Crookston Bridge Member. [2] Right ramus (UNSM 76620) & right maxilla (UCMP 63657). [2] Junior synonym of Aelurodon .
Tomarctus T. near T. euthosRailway Quarries, Cherry County, Nebraska. [2] Crookston Bridge Member. [2] Skull & limb elements. [2] A borophagine dog.

Lagomorphs

Lagomorphs reported from the Valentine Formation
GenusSpeciesLocationStratigraphic positionMaterialNotesImages
Alilepus A. sp.Stewart Quarry. [19] Crookston Bridge Member. [19] Teeth. [19] A leporid.
Hypolagus H. fontinalisRailway Quarries. [19] Crookston Bridge Member. [19] Dentaries & a maxilla. [19] A leporid.
H. parviplicatusRailway Quarries. [19] Crookston Bridge Member. [19] Dentaries. [19] A leporid.
Leporinae IndeterminateStewart Quarry. [19] Crookston Bridge Member. [19] 4 isolated premolars. [19] A leporid.
Pronotolagus P. albusStewart Quarry. [19] Crookston Bridge Member. [19] Teeth & jaw elements. [19] A leporid.

Proboscideans

Proboscideans reported from the Valentine Formation
GenusSpeciesLocationStratigraphic positionMaterialNotesImages
Gomphotherium G. osborni Boyd County, Nebraska. [20] Near-complete skeleton. [20] A gomphothere.
Gomphotherium osborni (fossil elephant) (Middle Miocene; Webster County, Nebraska, USA) 2 (33452402132).jpg
Tetrabelodon T. osborni Boyd County, Nebraska. [20] Near-complete skeleton. [20] Junior synonym of Gomphotherium .
Gomphotherium osborni (fossil elephant) (Middle Miocene; Webster County, Nebraska, USA) 5 (33608960865).jpg

Rodents

Rodents reported from the Valentine Formation
GenusSpeciesLocationStratigraphic positionMaterialNotesImages
Anchitheriomys A. fluminisNorden Bridge Quarry, Brown County, Nebraska. [21] Crookston Bridge Member. [21] A castorid.
Anchitheriomys.JPG
Ceratogaulus C. rhinocerusCrookston Bridge Quarry, Cherry County, Nebraska. [22] Crookston Bridge Member. [22] UNSM 122005, 122007, 122010 & 122009. [22] A mylagaulid.
Ceratogaulus rhinocerus.jpg
C. sp., cf. C. rhinocerusNorthcentral Nebraska. [22] Burge Member. [22] Multiple specimens. [22] A mylagaulid.
Cupidinimus C. nebraskensis Cherry County, Nebraska. [23] Crookston Bridge Member. [23] Several mandibles. [23] A heteromyid.
Eucastor E. tortus Brown, Cherry & Knox counties, Nebraska. [24] Cornell Dam, Crookston Bridge & Devil's Gulch members. [24] Skull elements. [24] A castorid.
Eucastor tortus.jpg
Megasminthus M. tiheniNorden Bridge Quarry, Brown County, Nebraska. [25] Jaw elements & teeth. [25] A zapodine.
Monosaulax M. skinneri Cherry County, Nebraska. [24] Cornell Dam, Crookston Bridge & Devil's Gulch members. [24] Teeth, mandibles & cranial material. [24] A castorid.
Nothodipoides N. stirtoni Cherry & Brown counties, Nebraska. [26] Burge Member. [26] A skull (FAM 65276) & 2 mandibles (FAM 65277 & 65279). [26] A castorid.
?Plesiosminthus ?P. sp. Brown (Norden Bridge quarry) & Cherry counties, Nebraska. [25] Mandibles & teeth. [25] A sicistine.
Prodipoides P. burgensis Brown, Cherry & Knox counties, Nebraska. [24] Burge, Crookston Bridge & Devil's Gulch members. [24] Mandibles & partial skull. [24] A castorid.
P. dividerus Brown & Cherry counties, Nebraska. [24] Burge, Devil's Gulch & Crookston Bridge members. [24] Mandibles (UCMP 29691, FAM 64314, 64319, 64316, & 64318) & partial cranium (FAM 64324). [24] A castorid also known from the Ash Hollow & Esmeralda formations.
Temperocastor T. valentinensis Cherry & Webster counties. [24] Crookston Bridge Member. [24] Skull elements, scapula & radius. [24] A castorid.

Ungulates

Ungulates reported from the Valentine Formation
GenusSpeciesLocationStratigraphic positionMaterialNotesImages
Calippus C. proplacidus Brown County, Nebraska. [27] Devil's Gulch Member. [27] Skull elements. [27] An equid.
C. regulusPenny Creek localities, Webster County, Nebraska. [28] Multiple specimens. [28] An equid.
Colbertchoerus C. niobrarensisDeep Creek Quarry, Brown County, Nebraska. [29] Devil's Gulch Member. [29] Partial skull (UNSM 2604). [29] A peccary also known from the Calvert & Choptank formations.
Cormohipparion C. johnsoniBurge Quarry, Nebraska. [30] Burge Member. [30] Skull elements. [30] An equid.
C. merriamiJune & Midway quarries, Nebraska. [30] Burge Member. [30] Skull elements. [30] An equid.
C. quinni Brown County, Nebraska. [31] Devil's Gulch, Cornell Dam & Crookston Bridge members. [31] Multiple specimens. [31] An equid.
Hemiauchenia H. sp.June Quarry, Brown County, Nebraska. [32] Burge Member. [32] A metacarpal. [32] A camelid.
Protohippus P. perditus Brown County, Nebraska. [27] Devil's Gulch & Crookston Bridge members. [27] Numerous specimens. [27] An equid.
Pseudhipparion P. retrusum Cherry & Brown counties, Nebraska. [33] Burge & Devil's Gulch members. [33] Numerous specimens, including many skulls & mandibles. [33] An equid.
Pseudohipparion retrusus.JPG
Stirtonhyus S. xiphidonticus Cherry & Knox counties, Nebraska. [29] Crookston Bridge & Devil's Gulch members. [29] Numerous specimens. [29] A peccary.
Tapiravus T. cf. polkensis Webster & Cherry counties, Nebraska. [34] Mandibles. [34] Moved to the genus Tapirus .
Tapiridae Genus & species undetermined Cherry County, Nebraska. [34] Crookston Bridge Member. [34] Teeth. [34] A tapir.
Tapirus T. cf. polkensis Webster & Cherry counties, Nebraska. [34] Mandibles. [34] A tapir.
Tapirus polkensis.jpg
Ustatochoerus U. medius Brown & Cherry counties, Nebraska. [35] Numerous specimens. [35] A merycoidodontid.
U.? schrammi Boyd & Brown counties, Nebraska. [35] Jaw elements. [35] A merycoidodontid.

Reptiles

Birds

Birds reported from the Valentine Formation
GenusSpeciesLocationStratigraphic positionMaterialNotesImages
Dissourodes D. milleri Cherry County, Nebraska. [36] Crookston Bridge Member. [37] Distal end of left tibiotarsus (UNSM 5780). [36] Lumped into the genus Mycteria . [37]
Heterochen H. pratensisDevil's Gulch, Brown County, Nebraska. [38] Nearly complete left tarsometatarsus (UNSM 5781). [38] A goose-like anseriform.
Mycteria M. milleri Cherry County, Nebraska. [36] [37] Crookston Bridge Member. [37] Distal end of left tibiotarsus (UNSM 5780). [36] [37] A stork, originally reported as Dissourodes.
Palaeonerpes P. shortiDriftwood Creek, Hitchcock County, Nebraska. [39] Equivalent to the top of the formation. [39] Distal end of left tibiotarsus (AMNH 1641). [39] A woodpecker.

Squamates

Squamates reported from the Valentine Formation
GenusSpeciesLocationStratigraphic positionMaterialNotesImages
Ameiseophis A. cf. A. robinsoniNorden Bridge Quarry, Brown County, Nebraska. [40] Trunk vertebra (MSUVP 891).A colubrid snake.
Amphisbaenidae?IndeterminateNorden Bridge Quarry, Brown County, Nebraska. [41] A centrum of a dorsal vertebra (UNSM 61029). [41] A worm lizard.
Anguidae UnidentifiedNorden Bridge Quarry, Brown County, Nebraska. [41] 3 large osteoscutes (UNSM 61028). [41] An anguid lizard.
Boidae Indeterminate Brown (Norden Bridge quarry) & Cherry counties, Nebraska. [41] Vertebrae & a fragmentary dentary. [41] Seems to be near the Ogmophis - Calamagras - Charina group.
Boinae Gen. et. sp. indet.Norden Bridge locality, Brown County, Nebraska. [42] Caudal vertebra. [42] Similar to Charina .
cf. Cnemidophorus cf. C. sp. Cherry County, Nebraska. [41] A right dentary. [41] A whiptail lizard.
Cnemidophorus gramivagus.jpg
Colubridae Indeterminate Brown (Norden Bridge quarry) & Cherry counties, Nebraska. [41] Vertebrae. [41] At least 4 forms, including at least 1 natricine.
Colubrinae Gen. et. sp. indet.Norden Bridge locality, Brown County, Nebraska. [42] 2 precaudal vertebrae. [42] May represent an extinct genus or one found in Central or South America today. [42]
Elaphe E. nebraskensisNorden Bridge locality, Brown County, Nebraska. [42] Precaudal & anterior vertebrae. [42] A rat snake similar to E. vulpina in height of neural spine & size.
Eumeces E. minimusEgelhoff Quarry, Keya Paha County, Nebraska. [43] Crookston Bridge Member, lowermost part of the formation. [43] A frontal bone (MSU-VP 790). [43] A skink originally thought to be a species of Peltosaurus , may be a nomen dubium . [43]
cf. E. sp.Norden Bridge Quarry, Brown County, Nebraska. [41] [40] Left dentary (MSUVP 966), 2 broken dentaries & a fragment of a maxilla (UNSM 61026). [41] [40] A skink.
Geringophis G. depressusNorden Bridge Quarry, Brown County, Nebraska. [40] 1 trunk vertebra (MSUVP 893). [40] A boid.
Gerrhonotus G. sp. Brown (Norden Bridge quarry) & Cherry counties, Nebraska. [41] An almost complete right dentary (UC 65857) & 3 vertebrae (UNSM 61027). [41] An alligator lizard.
Amphibians-and-reptiles-of-the-state-of-Coahuila-Mexico-with-comparison-with-adjoining-states-zookeys-593-117-g004.jpg
Iguanidae Unidentified, form A Cherry County, Nebraska. [41] Fragment of a right dentary (UC 65856). [41] An iguanid lizard.
Unidentified, form BNorden Bridge Quarry, Brown County, Nebraska. [41] Fragment of a right dentary (UNSM 61025). [41] An iguanid lizard.
Lampropeltis L. similisNorden Bridge locality, Brown County, Nebraska. [42] Precaudal vertebrae. [42] A kingsnake.
Natricinae Gen. et. sp. indet.Norden Bridge locality, Brown County, Nebraska. [42] 2 vertebrae. [42] "A rather small natricine snake, but not one of the diminutive forms". [42]
Nebraskophis N. skinneriNorden Bridge Quarry, Brown County, Nebraska. [40] Trunk vertebra (UNSM 61037). [40] A colubrid snake.
Neonatrix N. elongataNorden Bridge Quarry, Brown County, Nebraska. [40] Trunk vertebra (MSUVP 967). [40] A colubrid snake.
N. magnaNorden Bridge Quarry, Brown County, Nebraska. [40] Trunk vertebra (MSUVP 943). [40] A colubrid snake.
Paleoheterodon P. tiheniNorden Bridge locality, Brown County, Nebraska. [42] Precaudal vertebrae. [42] A colubrine closely related to Heterodon .
Peltosaurus P. minimusEgelhoff Quarry, Keya Paha County, Nebraska. [43] [44] Crookston Bridge Member, lowermost part of the formation. [43] [44] A frontal bone (MSU-VP 790). [43] [44] Thought to be a glyptosaurine but reassigned to the skink genus Eumeces . [43]
Phrynosoma P. sp. Cherry County, Nebraska. [41] An almost complete jaw (UC 65855) & 2 less complete jaws. [41] A horned lizard.
Pregenant female Greater Short-Horned Lizard.jpg
Salvadora S. paleolineataNorden Bridge Quarry, Brown County, Nebraska. [40] Trunk vertebrae (MSUVP 892 & 968). [40] A patchnose snake.
Viperidae IndeterminateNorden Bridge Quarry, Brown County, Nebraska. [40] Trunk vertebra (MSUVP 889). [40] A viper.

Testudines

Testudines reported from the Valentine Formation
GenusSpeciesLocationStratigraphic positionMaterialNotesImages
Chrysemys C. sp.Norden Bridge Quarry, Brown County, Nebraska. [41] A near complete hyoplastron. [41] An emydid turtle.
Emydoidea E. hutchisoniWest Valentine Quarry, Cherry County, Nebraska. [45] Remains of at least 4 (probably more) individuals. [45] An emydid turtle.
Geochelone G. orthopygiaNorden Bridge Quarry, Brown County, Nebraska. [41] Shell & limb elements. [41] A tortoise.
Glyptemys G. valentinensisRailway Quarry A, Cherry County, Nebraska. [46] Crookston Bridge Member. [46] Multiple carapace & bone specimens. [46] An emydid turtle.
Trionyx T. quinniNorden Bridge Quarry, Brown County, Nebraska. [40] Hyoplastrons & pleural bones. [40] A softshell turtle.
T. sp. Brown (Norden Bridge quarry) & Cherry counties, Nebraska. [41] Multiple specimens. [41] A softshell turtle.

Amphibians

Amphibians reported from the Valentine Formation
GenusSpeciesLocationStratigraphic positionMaterialNotesImages
Ambystoma A. minshalli Brown (Norden Bridge Locality) & Cherry counties, Nebraska. [40] [41] [47] Multiple specimens. [40] [41] [47] A mole salamander.
Andrias A. matthewi Norden Bridge Locality, Brown County, Nebraska. [41] A maxilla & a fragment of a maxilla. [41] A giant salamander.
Andrias matthewi size comparison.jpg
Bufo B. hibbardiNorden Bridge Quarry, Brown County, Nebraska. [40] Right ilium (MSUVP 1013). [40] A true toad.
B. cf. hibbardi Brown (Norden Bridge quarry) & Cherry counties, Nebraska. [41] Multiple specimens. [41] A true toad.
B. kuhreiNorden Bridge Quarry, Brown County, Nebraska. [40] Proximal portion of a right tibiofibula (MSUVP 890). [40] A true toad.
B. valentinensis Brown (Norden Bridge quarry) & Cherry counties, Nebraska. [41] Multiple specimens. [41] A true toad.
Cryptobranchus C. mccalliNorden Bridge Quarry, Brown County, Nebraska. [47] A complete right maxilla & the anterior portion of a left maxilla. [47] Synonymized with Andrias matthewi . [48]
Geophryne G. nordensis Brown (Norden Bridge Quarry), Keya Paha (Egelhoff Local Fauna) & Knox (Annie's Geese Cross Local Fauna) counties, Nebraska. [49] 4 ilia. [49] A hylid frog.
Pseudacris P. nordensis Brown (Norden Bridge Quarry), Keya Paha (Egelhoff Local Fauna) & Knox (Annie's Geese Cross Local Fauna) counties, Nebraska. [49] 4 ilia. [49] Reassigned to the genus Geophryne .
Rana R. sp. Brown (Norden Bridge quarry) & Cherry counties, Nebraska. [41] Multiple specimens. [41] A ranid frog.
European Common Frog Rana temporaria.jpg
Scaphiopus S. (Spea) cf. alexanderi Brown (Norden Bridge locality) & Cherry counties, Nebraska. [41] UNSM 61016 & 61017. [41] An American spadefoot toad.
S. (Scaphiopus) wardorumNorden Bridge Quarry, Brown County, Nebraska. [41] Multiple specimens. [41] An American spadefoot toad.

Fish

Fish reported from the Valentine Formation
GenusSpeciesLocationStratigraphic positionMaterialNotesImages
Amia A. sp. Cherry County, Nebraska. [41] A broken left dentary (UC 65851) & a dorsal vertebra. [41] A bowfin.
Amia calva 4.jpg
Ictalurus I. sp. Cherry County, Nebraska. [41] A pectoral spine, dorsal spine, right dentary, & numerous fragments of spines and vertebrae. [41] A catfish.
Ictalurus punctatus.jpg
Lepisosteus L. sp.Norden Bridge Locality, Brown County, Nebraska. [41] A scale. [41] A gar.
Longnose gar flipped.jpg
Lepomis L. cf. microlophus Norden Bridge Locality, Brown County, Nebraska. [41] A left dentary. [41] A sunfish.
Redearsunfishnctc.jpg

Plants

Plants reported from the Valentine Formation
GenusSpeciesLocationStratigraphic positionMaterialNotesImages
Berriochloa B. communis [50] A grass also found in the Ash Hollow Formation.

See also

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The Carlile Shale is a Turonian age Upper/Late Cretaceous series shale geologic formation in the central-western United States, including in the Great Plains region of Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ogallala Formation</span> Geologic formation in the western United States

The Ogallala Formation is a Miocene to early Pliocene geologic formation in the central High Plains of the western United States and the location of the Ogallala Aquifer. In Nebraska and South Dakota it is also classified as the Ogallala Group. Notably, it records the North American Land Mammal Ages (NALMAs) Hemphillian, Clarendonian, and Barstovian. It also includes an excellent record of grass seeds and other plant seeds, which can be used for biostratigraphic dating within the formation. The Ogallala Formation outcrops of Lake Meredith National Recreation Area preserve fish fossils. Similar specimens from the same unit are found at Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument in Texas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ash Hollow Formation</span> Geologic formation in Nebraska

The Ash Hollow Formation of the Ogallala Group is a geological formation found in Nebraska and South Dakota. It preserves fossils dating back to the Neogene period. It was named after Ash Hollow, Nebraska and can be seen in Ash Hollow State Historical Park. Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park is within this formation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rosebud Formation</span> Geological formation in midwestern US

The Rosebud Formation is a geologic formation of cemented pink silt in Nebraska and South Dakota, dating to the early middle Miocene epoch of the Neogene period. Possibly named for its color, no type location has been set for this unit, but it is associated with the Valentine Formation along the Niobrara River. The fine silt of the formation forms an aquitard beneath the Ogallala Aquifer carried by the Valentine Formation. Many springs from the Valentine sands flow down the Rosebud outcrop into the Niobrara River.

The Sharps Formation is a geologic formation in South Dakota. It preserves fossils dating back to the Paleogene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marsland Formation</span>

The Marsland Formation is a geologic formation in Nebraska. It preserves fossils dating back to the Neogene period.

The Astoria Formation is a geologic formation in Washington state & Oregon. It preserves fossils dating back to the early to middle Miocene.

The Dove Spring Formation is a geologic formation in the western Mojave Desert of California. It preserves fossils dating back to the Miocene epoch of the Neogene period.

Hyperailurictis is an extinct genus of felid from Miocene North America. The Hyperailurictis species are Pseudaelurus-grade felids and thought to be the first felids in the Americas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sarmiento Formation</span> Geologic formation in Chubut Province, Argentina

The Sarmiento Formation, in older literature described as the Casamayor Formation, is a geological formation in Chubut Province, Argentina, in central Patagonia, which spans around 30 million years from the mid-Eocene to the early Miocene. It predominantly consists of pyroclastic deposits, which were deposited in a semi-arid environment. It is divided up into a number of members. The diverse fauna of the Sarmiento Formation, including a variety of birds, crocodilians, turtles and snakes, also includes many mammals such as South American native ungulates as well as armadillos, and caviomorph rodents. Piram Conglomerate Formation

<i>Andrias matthewi</i> Extinct species of amphibian

Andrias matthewi, or Matthew's giant salamander, is an extinct species of giant salamander from the Miocene of North America. It belongs to the genus Andrias, which contains the living Asian giant salamanders. It is the largest salamander to have ever existed, with a maximum estimated length of 2.3 m. Its fossils have been found in Nebraska, Colorado, and Saskatchewan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Santa Cruz Formation</span> Geological formation in Patagonia

The Santa Cruz Formation is a geological formation in the Magallanes/Austral Basin in southern Patagonia in Argentina and in adjacent areas of Chile. It dates to the late Early Miocene epoch, and is contemporaneous with eponymous Santacrucian SALMA. The formation extends from the Andes to the Atlantic coast. In its coastal section it is divided into two members, the lower, fossil rich Estancia La Costa Member, which has a lithology predominantly consisting of tuffaceous deposits and fine grained sedimentary claystone and mudstone, and the upper fossil-poor Estancia La Angelina Member, which consists of sedimentary rock, primarily claystone, mudstone, and sandstone. The environment of deposition is interpreted to have been mostly fluvial, with the lowermost part of the Estancia La Costa Member being transitional between fluvial and marine conditions. The environment of the Estancia La Costa Member is thought to have been relatively warm and humid, but likely became somewhat cooler and drier towards the end of the sequence. The Santa Cruz Formation is known for its abundance of South American native ungulates, as well as an abundance of rodents, xenarthrans, and metatherians.

References

  1. 1 2 "Geologic Formations". Niobrara National Scenic River. National Park Service . Retrieved 2024-02-24. Valentine Formation -- Beneath the Ash Hollow is the Valentine Formation. This loosely-consolidated sandstone crumbles easily, but holds the primary source of the Niobrara River in this area: the Ogallala, or High Plains, aquifer. About 70% of the water in the river comes directly from groundwater.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 Robert L. Evander, Emanuel County Junior College (1986). "Carnivores of the Railway and Quarries Local Fauna". Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies Nebraska Academy of Sciences. University of Nebraska - Lincoln.
  3. ↑ "Geologic Unit: Valentine". National Geologic Database. Geolex — Significant Publications. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
  4. 1 2 John C. Frye; A. Byron Leonard; Ada Swineford (1956). Stratigraphy of the Ogallala Formation (Neogene) of Northern Kansas, Bulletin 118. University of Kansas Publications, State Geological Survey of Kansas. p. Methods of Correlation. ... and the configuration of the lower surface indicates location of preexisting valleys and the most likely locale of earliest sedimentation. ... Therefore, it is expectable that the lowest, hence oldest, members be present in low areas of the bedrock, ... The relation of the configuration of the erosional surface at the base of the Ogallala to the stratigraphy of the formation has been fully recognized only recently (Merriam and Frye, 1954).
  5. ↑ Alvin Leonard Lugn, University of Nebraska - Lincoln (1938). "The Nebraska State Geological Survey and the "Valentine Problem"". American Journal of Science. University of Nebraska - Lincoln. 36 (213): 220. Bibcode:1938AmJS...36..220L. doi:10.2475/ajs.s5-36.213.220. S2CID   129509059.
  6. ↑ Alvin R. Leonard; Delmar W. Berry (1961). Geology and Ground-water Resources of Southern Ellis County and Parts of Trego and Rush Counties, Kansas, Bulletin 149. University of Kansas Publications, State Geological Survey of Kansas. p. Geomorphology / Stream Development. At the close of Pliocene time, the area from the Rocky Mountains to the Flint Hills was a nearly featureless aggradational plain crossed by streams flowing toward the east. During the formation of this [Ogallala] plain in central Kansas the Cretaceous [Niobrara] rocks were buried under a mantle of debris, ...
  7. ↑ "Ogallala Group". USGS.
  8. ↑ John C. Frye; A. Byron Leonard; Ada Swineford (1956). Stratigraphy of the Ogallala Formation (Neogene) of Northern Kansas, Bulletin 118. University of Kansas Publications, State Geological Survey of Kansas. p. Measured Sections.
  9. ↑ Warren G. Hodson (1965). "Geology and Ground-Water Resources of Trego County, Kansas". State Geological Survey of Kansas Bulletin 149. University of Kansas. Retrieved 2021-06-13. Silica also is present as a cementing material in beds of opaline sandstone ...
  10. ↑ Jesse M. McNellis (1973). "Geology and Ground-Water Resources of Rush County, Central Kansas". State Geological Survey of Kansas Bulletin 207. University of Kansas. Retrieved 2021-06-13. (2) a quartzitic-appearing green conglomerate with an opaline cement matrix, ...
  11. ↑ Glenn Scott (1969). "General and Engineering Geology of the Northern Part of Pueblo, Colorado" (PDF). Geological Survey Bulletin. United States Department of the Interior (1262): 112. Retrieved 2021-06-13.
  12. ↑ "Sherman Dam: Constructed 1959-1962". United States. Bureau of Reclamation. 1964. p. 25.
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