The Marl Slate Formation is a
geological formation in
England. Despite its name, it is mostly
dolomite rock.
The Marl Slate Formation was formed about 273 to 259 million years ago, during the
Guadalupian and
Lopingian epochs of the late
Permian period of the Earth's geological history.
This formation is part of the
Zechstein Group of rocks, and is equivalent to the
Kupferschiefer
The Kupferschiefer (German for Copper Shale, also called Copper Slate) or Kupfermergel (Copper Marl), (T1 or Z1) is an extensive and remarkable sedimentary unit in Central Europe. The relatively monotonous succession is typically and maximum th ...
of Germany.
The Marl Slate Formation contains
fossils
A fossil (from Classical Latin , ) is any preserved remains, impression, or trace of any once-living thing from a past geological age. Examples include bones, shells, exoskeletons, stone imprints of animals or microbes, objects preserved in ...
including the
conodont
Conodonts (Greek ''kōnos'', "cone", + ''odont'', "tooth") are an extinct group of agnathan (jawless) vertebrates resembling eels, classified in the class Conodonta. For many years, they were known only from their tooth-like oral elements, which ...
''
Mesogondolella britannica'' and the
dorypterid fishes ''
Dorypterus'' and ''Lekanichthys'',
as well as the gliding reptile ''
Weigeltisaurus'' and terrestrial reptile ''
Protorosaurus'' The Marl Slate Formation
outcrops in
County Durham
County Durham ( ), officially simply Durham,UK General Acts 1997 c. 23Lieutenancies Act 1997 Schedule 1(3). From legislation.gov.uk, retrieved 6 April 2022. is a ceremonial county in North East England.North East Assembly �About North East E ...
and
Yorkshire in north-east England.
See also
*
Geology of Yorkshire
*
List of fossiliferous stratigraphic units in England
References
Permian England
Lopingian geology
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