Huincul Formation

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Not to be confused with Huincul Fault.
Huincul Formation
Stratigraphic range: Late Cenomanian-Early Turonian
~97–93 Ma
↓
TypeGeological formation
Unit ofNeuquén Group
 Río Limay Subgroup
UnderliesLisandro Formation
OverliesCandeleros Formation
Thickness250 m (820 ft)
Lithology
PrimarySandstone
OtherClaystone
Location
Coordinates39°24′S 69°00′W / 39.4°S 69.0°W / -39.4; -69.0Coordinates: 39°24′S 69°00′W / 39.4°S 69.0°W / -39.4; -69.0
Approximate paleocoordinates46°06′S 46°00′W / 46.1°S 46.0°W / -46.1; -46.0
RegionMendoza, Río Negro & Neuquén Provinces
Country Argentina
ExtentNeuquén Basin
Type section
Named forPlaza Huincul
Named byKeidel
Year defined1929
Huincul Formation is located in Argentina
Huincul Formation
Huincul Formation (Argentina)

The Huincul Formation is a geologic formation of Late Cretaceous (Early Cenomanian to Late Turonian) age of the Neuquén Basin that outcrops in the Mendoza, Río Negro and Neuquén Provinces of northern Patagonia, Argentina.[1] It is the second formation in the Río Limay Subgroup, the oldest subgroup within the Neuquén Group. Formerly that subgroup was treated as a formation, and the Huincul Formation was known as the Huincul Member.[2]

Description[]

The type locality of the Huincul Formation is near the town of Plaza Huincul in Neuquén Province after which the formation was named by Wichmann in 1929.[3] This formation conformably overlies the Candeleros Formation, and it is in turn overlain by the Lisandro Formation.

The Huincul Formation is thought to represent an arid environment with ephemeral or seasonal streams.[4] In some areas, it is up to 250 metres (820 ft) thick. It is mainly composed of green and yellow sandstones and can easily be differentiated from the overlying Lisandro Formation, which is red in color. The Candeleros Formation, underlying the Huincul, is composed of darker sediments, making all three formations easily distinguishable.[2][5]

Fossil content[]

Argentinosaurus huinculensis
Mapusaurus roseae
Gualicho shinyae

Fossil bones are rarely found in the Huincul Formation. However, remains of Argentinosaurus huinculensis, one of the largest land animals known, were found in the Huincul Formation, and this species is named after it.[2] One of the largest predators known, Mapusaurus, has also been recovered from a bonebed in this formation.[4]

Fossils found in the Huincul Formation include those of dinosaurs:

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Huincul Formation at Fossilworks.org
  2. ^ a b c Sánchez et al., 2006
  3. ^ Wichmann, 1929
  4. ^ a b Coria & Currie, 2006
  5. ^ Leanza et al., 2004, p.68
  6. ^ Canale et al., 2012
  7. ^ Leonardi, 1994, p.30

Bibliography[]

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