Klerf Formation

Klerf Formation Stratigraphic range: Emsian ~409–392 Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N
Type	Geological formation
Sub-units	Reifferscheid Mb. Altenberg Mb. Unterpreth Mb.
Underlies
Overlies
Thickness	1,300 m (4,300 ft)
Lithology
Primary	Siltstone, shale
Other	Sandstone
Location
Location	Eifel
Coordinates	50°14′48″N 06°27′21″W / 50.24667°N 6.45583°W / 50.24667; -6.45583Coordinates: 50°14′48″N 06°27′21″W / 50.24667°N 6.45583°W / 50.24667; -6.45583
Region	Rhineland-Palatinate
Country	Germany
Type section
Named by	Richter
Location	near Prüm
Year defined	1919
Coordinates	50°14′48″N 06°27′21″W / 50.24667°N 6.45583°W / 50.24667; -6.45583
Approximate paleocoordinates	27°06′S 9°42′E / 27.1°S 09.7°E / -27.1; 09.7
Region	Eifel
Country	Germany
Avalonia with the Proto-Tethys Ocean (3)

The Klerf Formation is an Early Devonian (Emsian) formation that includes a Lagerstätte in the Northern Eifel hills, at near Prüm, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. In it Jaekelopterus rhenaniae, a giant eurypterid was discovered. The Klerf Formation, comprising greenish and reddish shales, siltstones and sandstones, was first described in 1919 by Rudolf Richter (1881-1957) and reaches a maximum thickness of about 1,300 metres (4,300 ft).^[1]

Depositional environment[]

The siltstone and sandstone formation was deposited in an estuarine to deltaic environment.^[2] This was located on the edge of Avalonia bordering the Proto-Tethys Ocean.

Fossil content[]

Apart from the largest arthropod, Jaekelopterus (shown on the left), found in the formation, it also preserved the fish, bryozoa, brachiopod and ostracod remains,^[1] the arachnids , ,^[2] and and flora.^[3]

See also[]

• List of fossiliferous stratigraphic units in Europe
• Geology of Germany
• Floresta Formation
• Old Port Formation

References[]