Beacon Limestone Formation

Beacon Limestone Formation
Stratigraphic range: Upper Pliensbachian–Toarcian Spinatum-lowermost Thouarsense ~185–175 Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N
Cliff exposure at Thorncombe Beacon
Type	Geological formation
Unit of	Lias Group
Sub-units	Marlstone Rock, Barrington & Eype Mouth Limestone Members
Underlies	Bridport Sand Formation
Overlies	Dyrham Formation
Thickness	Up to 5 metres (16 ft) Averaging <1.5 metres (4.9 ft)
Lithology
Primary	Limestone
Location
Coordinates	50°54′N 2°48′W / 50.9°N 2.8°W / 50.9; -2.8
Approximate paleocoordinates	38°24′N 7°24′E / 38.4°N 7.4°E / 38.4; 7.4
Region	Somerset, Dorset
Country	England
Extent	Wessex Basin
Type section
Named for	Thorncombe Beacon
Location	Cliff exposure beneath Thorncombe Beacon
Beacon Limestone Formation (England)

The Beacon Limestone Formation, historically known as the Junction Bed, is a formation of the early Jurassic age (Pliensbachian–Toarcian). It lies above the Dyrham Formation and below the Bridport Sand Formation. It forms part of the Lias Group. It is found within the Wessex Basin and parts of Somerset,^[1] in England. It is well known for the Strawberry Bank Lagerstätte, which contains the 3-dimensionally preserved remains of vertebrates, including marine crocodyliformes, ichthyosaurs and fish, as well as insect compression fossils.^[2]