Virgin Formation

Geologic formation in Utah, United States

Virgin Formation

Stratigraphic range: Spathian
Type| Formation
Unit of| Thaynes Group
Thickness| 150 m (490 ft)
Lithology
Primary| Limestone
Other| Siltstone, shale
Location
Coordinates| 37°12′6″N 113°11′23″W﻿ / ﻿37.20167°N 113.18972°W﻿ / 37.20167; -113.18972
Region| Utah
Country|  United States
Type section
Named for| Virgin, Utah
Named by| Bassler and Reeside
Year defined| 1921

Virgin Formation (the United States)

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Virgin Formation (Utah)

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The Virgin Formation is a geologic formation in Utah. It preserves fossils dating back to the Triassic period (Spathian substage).[1]

## Description

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The Virgin Formation consists of gray to yellowish gray to greenish gray limestone, occasionally fossiliferous, alternating with greenish yellow to reddish brown to gray shale or siltstone. The limestone beds are up to 20 feet (6.1 m) thick.[2][3] Total thickness of the formation is up to 150 meters (490 ft).[4] About 30% of the total section of the formation is limestone.[5]

The formation rests on the "lower red member" of the Moenkopi Group and underlies the Shnabkaib Member of the Moenkopi Group.[4] More recently, the Virgin Formation is interpreted as a formation of the Thaynes Group.[6]

The formation is interpreted as having been deposited in a near-shore shallow marine environment. The lower part shows cyclic sedimentation, while the upper part of the formation to the southeast was deposited in lagoons in an arid climate while marine deposition continued to the north.[5]

## Fossils

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The formation contains marine fossils, including crinoids, pelecypods, gastropods, worms, crustaceans, and the ammonoid Tirolites. The latter is characteristic of the early Spathian stage of the Early Triassic.[3][1]

## History of investigation

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The unit was first named as the Virgin limestone member of the Moenkopi Formation in 1922, by Harvey Bassler and John Reeside.[2] The unit was promoted to formation rank (and the Moenkopi Formation to group rank) in southwestern Utah) by S.J. Poborski in 1954.[5]

## See also

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* Earth sciences portal
* Utah portal
* Paleontology portal

* List of fossiliferous stratigraphic units in Utah
* Paleontology in Utah

## References

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1. ^ a b Hofmann, Richard; Hautmann, Michael; Wasmer, Martin; Bucher, Hugo (2013). "Palaeoecology of the Spathian Virgin Formation (Utah, USA) and its implications for the Early Triassic recovery". Acta Palaeontologica Polonica. 58 (1): 149–173\. doi:10.4202/app.2011.0060. S2CID 19425859.
2. ^ a b Bassler, Harvey; Reeside, John B. Jr. (1921). "Oil prospects in Washington County, Utah: Chapter C in Contributions to economic geology, 1921, Part II.--Mineral fuels". U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin. 726-C: 87–107\. doi:10.3133/b726C.
3. ^ a b Stewart, John H.; Poole, F.G.; Wilson, R.F.; Cadigan, R.A. (1972). "Stratigraphy and origin of the Triassic Moenkopi Formation and related strata in the Colorado Plateau region, with a section on sedimentary petrology". U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper. Professional Paper. 691. doi:10.3133/pp691.
4. ^ a b Hintze, L.F.; Axen, G.J. (1995). "Geologic map of the Scarecrow Peak quadrangle, Washington County, Utah, and Lincoln County, Nevada". U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map. GQ-1759. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
5. ^ a b c Poborski, S.J. (1954). "Virgin formation (Triassic) of the St. George, Utah, area". Geological Society of America Bulletin. 65 (10): 971–1006\. doi:10.1130/0016-7606(1954)65[971:VFTOTS]2.0.CO;2.
6. ^ Lucas, Spencer G.; Krainer, Karl; Milner, Andrew R. C. (2007). "The type section and age of the Timpoweap Member and stratigraphic nomenclature of the Triassic Moenkopi Group in Southwestern Utah". New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science Bulletin. 40: 109–117.

## See also

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* Various Contributors to the Paleobiology Database. "Fossilworks: Gateway to the Paleobiology Database". Retrieved 17 December 2021.

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