Marnes de Dives

Marnes de Dives
Stratigraphic range: Late Callovian
Falaises des Vaches Noires
TypeGeological formation
UnderliesMarnes de Villers
Thickness8–10 metres (30–30 ft)
Lithology
PrimaryMarl
OtherLimestone
Location
RegionNormandy
Country France
ExtentParis Basin
Type section
Named forDives-sur-Mer

The Marnes de Dives is a geological formation in Normandy, France. It dates back to the upper part of the Callovian stage of the Middle Jurassic.[1] And is partially equivalent to the Oxford Clay in England. It predominantly consists of ooidal marl, rich in pyrite and lignite, interbedded with thin limestone horizons.[2] It is best exposed at the base of the Falaises des Vaches Noires (Cliffs of Black Cows) as well as the foreshore at low tide. It is known for its fossils, notably those of ammonites, marine crocodiles and fragmentary remains of dinosaurs, mostly theropods.

Panorama of the Falaises des Vaches Noires
  1. ^ Weishampel, David B; et al. (2004). "Dinosaur distribution (Middle Jurassic, Europe)." In: Weishampel, David B.; Dodson, Peter; and Osmólska, Halszka (eds.): The Dinosauria, 2nd, Berkeley: University of California Press. Pp. 538–541. ISBN 0-520-24209-2.
  2. ^ Lebrun, Patrice; Courville, Philippe (2013). "Le Jurassique des falaises des Vaches-Noires".