| Galula Formation | |
|---|---|
| Stratigraphic range: Aptian-Campanian ~ | |
| Type | Geological formation |
| Unit of | Red Sandstone Group |
| Sub-units | Mtuka Member, Namba Member |
| Underlies | Unconformity with Nsungwe Formation |
| Overlies | Unconformity with Karoo Supergroup or basement |
| Thickness | 600–3,000 m (2,000–9,800 ft) |
| Lithology | |
| Primary | Sandstone |
| Other | Conglomerate, mudstone |
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 7°06′S 31°12′E / 7.1°S 31.2°E |
| Approximate paleocoordinates | 28°48′S 16°30′E / 28.8°S 16.5°E |
| Region | Rukwa, Mbeya Region |
| Country |  Tanzania |
| Extent | African Great Lakes, Rukwa Rift Basin |
| Type section | |
| Named for | Galula |
| Named by | Roberts et al. |
| Location | Galula Coalfields |
| Year defined | 2010 |
| Coordinates | 8°40′55.6″S 32°53′33.5″E / 8.682111°S 32.892639°E |
| Thickness at type section | 520 m (1,710 ft) |
  Galula Formation (Tanzania) | |
The Galula Formation is a geological formation located south of Lake Rukwa in Tanzania, part of the Red Sandstone Group of the Rukwa Rift Basin. Along with the unconformably overlying Oligocene Nsungwe Formation. It is divided into two members, the lower Mtuka Member and the upper Namba Member.[1]
The age of the deposit is poorly constrained, with the Mtuka Member likely being Aptian to Cenomanian in age, while the Namba Member being Cenomanian to Campanian in age based on Geomagnetic reversals.[2] It is correlated with the Dinosaur Beds of Malawi.
The formation is fossiliferous, with Dinosaurs and Crocodyliformes being known from the formation.
- ^ Roberts, Eric M.; O’Connor, Patrick M.; Stevens, Nancy J.; Gottfried, Michael D.; Jinnah, Zubair A.; Ngasala, Sifael; Choh, Adeline M.; Armstrong, Richard A. (May 2010). "Sedimentology and depositional environments of the Red Sandstone Group, Rukwa Rift Basin, southwestern Tanzania: New insight into Cretaceous and Paleogene terrestrial ecosystems and tectonics in sub-equatorial Africa". Journal of African Earth Sciences. 57 (3): 179–212. Bibcode:2010JAfES..57..179R. doi:10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2009.09.002. ISSN 1464-343X.
- ^ Widlansky, Sarah J.; Clyde, William C.; O'Connor, Patrick M.; Roberts, Eric M.; Stevens, Nancy J. (March 2018). "Paleomagnetism of the Cretaceous Galula Formation and implications for vertebrate evolution". Journal of African Earth Sciences. 139: 403–420. Bibcode:2018JAfES.139..403W. doi:10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2017.11.029. ISSN 1464-343X.