Choptank Formation

Choptank Formation
Stratigraphic range:
Chesapecten nefrens, Choptank Formation
TypeFormation
Unit ofChesapeake Group
UnderliesSt. Marys Formation
OverliesCalvert Formation
Location
RegionVirginia, Maryland
CountryUnited States
Type section
Named forChoptank River

The Choptank Formation is a geologic formation in Virginia and Maryland. It preserves fossils dating from the mid-late Miocene of the Neogene period, from the latest Langhian to the early Tortonian (13.9 to 11 million years ago).[1]

Fossils

The Choptank Formation is extremely fossiliferous. Some of the fossil species represented include the following:[2][3]

Sharks

Rays and Other Cartilaginous Fish

Fish

Cetaceans

Pinnipeds

Crocodilians

Invertebrates

[4]

Terrestrial Mammals

See also

References

  1. ↑ Carnevale, Giorgio; Godfrey, Stephen James (2018). "Miocene bony fishes from the Calvert, Choptank, St. Marys and Eastover Formations, Chesapeake Group, Maryland and Virginia". Smithsonian Contributions to Paleobiology (100).
  2. ↑ Godfrey, Stephen J., ed. (2018-09-25). "The Geology and Vertebrate Paleontology of Calvert Cliffs, Maryland, USA". Smithsonian Contributions to Paleobiology (100): 2–274. doi:10.5479/si.1943-6688.100. ISSN 1943-6688.
  3. ↑ "Paleobiology Collections Search". collections.nmnh.si.edu. Retrieved 2020-08-14.
  4. ↑ "Collections". The Fossil Forum. Retrieved 2020-08-14.
  5. ↑ Eshelman, R. E.; Lambert, W. D.; Morgan, G. S.; Godfrey, S. J.; Bohaska, D. J. (2026). "Review of the Miocene Gomphotheriidae (Mammalia: Proboscidea) from the Chesapeake Group, Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain of North America". Smithsonian Contributions to Paleobiology. 109: 5–72. doi:10.5479/si.32085168.