Diatoms of the Moreno Shale
In: Journal of Paleontology. The Paleontological Society: Tulsa, Okla.. ISSN 0022-3360; e-ISSN 1937-2337, more
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| Authors | | Top |
- Long, J.A.
- Fuge, D.P.
- Smith, J.
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| Abstract |
The latest definitely identified Cretaceous formation in California is a thick body of very distinctive shale, the Moreno formation, which outcrops in the San Joaquin Valley for a distance of 150 miles. It contains residual hydrocarbons in considerable amount. Megafossils are scarce, but certain zones contain incredible numbers of microfossils belonging to several groups. Those which have skeletons of silica have been studied more thoroughly than the calcareous forms and the present paper is the result of an exhaustive search of many samples for diatoms. A review of the literature which has dealt with any phase of the paleontology of the formation is included and this indicates that the Moreno is now the best known of any part of the California Cretaceous. A striking discovery in recent years was the finding of well-preserved skeletons of large reptiles such as plesiosaurs. The introduction contains information pertaining to the geological relationships, geographical extent and some of the physical aspects of the formation. |
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