| Chon Aike Formation | |
|---|---|
| Stratigraphic range: Mid Jurassic-Berriasian ~ | |
| Type | Geological formation |
| Unit of | Bahía Laura Group |
| Underlies | La Matilde & Pampa Rincón Formations |
| Overlies | Tobífera Formation |
| Area | ~100,000 km2 (39,000 sq mi) |
| Lithology | |
| Primary | Rhyolites, ignimbrites, lavas |
| Other | Agglomerates, tuffs |
| Location | |
| Location | Patagonia |
| Coordinates | 47°42′S 70°18′W / 47.7°S 70.3°W |
| Approximate paleocoordinates | 44°36′S 29°30′W / 44.6°S 29.5°W |
| Region | Santa Cruz Province |
| Country | Argentina |
| Extent | Deseado Massif & Austral Basin |
| Type section | |
| Named for | Cerro Chon Aike |
The Chon Aike Formation is an extensive geological formation, present in the Deseado Massif in north-central Santa Cruz Province, Patagonia, Argentina. It covers an area of approximately 100,000 square kilometres (39,000 sq mi) and consists of rhyolitic volcanic rocks, particularly ignimbrites and lavas, with smaller amounts of agglomerates and tuffs.[1] Within dacitic rocks, plant fossils have been found.[2]