Bajo de la Carpa Formation

Bajo de la Carpa Formation
Stratigraphic range: Mid-Late Santonian
~86–83 Ma
Juan D. Porfiri excavating the holotype of Diuqin lechiguanae from the Bajo de la Carpa Formation
TypeGeological formation
Unit ofNeuquén Group
 Río Colorado Subgroup
UnderliesAnacleto Formation
OverliesRío Neuquén Subgroup
 Plottier Formation
ThicknessUp to 150 m (490 ft)
Lithology
PrimarySandstone
OtherMudstone, siltstone, paleosol
Location
Coordinates38°48′S 68°48′W / 38.8°S 68.8°W / -38.8; -68.8
Approximate paleocoordinates43°24′S 49°48′W / 43.4°S 49.8°W / -43.4; -49.8
RegionNeuquén & Río Negro Provinces
CountryArgentina
ExtentNeuquén Basin
Bajo de la Carpa Formation is located in Argentina
Bajo de la Carpa Formation
Bajo de la Carpa Formation (Argentina)

The Bajo de la Carpa Formation is a geologic formation of the Neuquén Basin that crops out in northern Patagonia, in the provinces of Río Negro and Neuquén, Argentina. It is the oldest of two formations belonging to the Río Colorado Subgroup within the Neuquén Group. Formerly, that subgroup was treated as a formation, and the Bajo de la Carpa Formation was known as the Bajo de la Carpa Member.[1]

At its base, this formation conformably overlies the Plottier Formation of the older Río Neuquén Subgroup, and it is in turn overlain by the Anacleto Formation, the youngest and uppermost formation of the Neuquén Group.[2][3]

The Bajo de la Carpa Formation can reach 150 metres (490 ft) in thickness in some locations, and consists mainly of sandstones of various colors, all of fluvial origin, with thin layers of mudstone and siltstone in between. Geological features such as geodes, chemical nodules, impressions of raindrops, and paleosols (fossil soils) are commonly found in this formation as well.[1][3]

  1. ^ a b Sánchez et al., 2006
  2. ^ Fossa Mancini et al., 1938
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Leanza etal 2004 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).