Zarzaitine Fm
Period:
Triassic
Age Interval:
Anisian – Toarcian, Lb2
Province:
Libya
Type Locality and Naming
Column: Fezzan Basin
Synonym:
Lithology and Thickness
Divided into three units: a lower layer of variegated claystones and fine-grained sandstones which feature dinosaur fossils, a middle unit of claystones, argillaceous limestones and dolomites with bands of gypsum, and an upper unit of friable, argillaceous sandstones, claystones, and gravels.
Lithology Pattern:
Sandy_claystone
Relationships and Distribution
Lower contact
Regionally, the schematic strat column indicates the next older unit as Tiguentourine Fm
Upper contact
Regionally, the schematic strat column indicates the next younger unit as Taouratine Fm
Regional extent
GeoJSON
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Fossils
Age
USGS Chart places this formation at the base of the Muschelkalk Stage in the Middle Triassic. Anisian – Toarcian
Age Span:
Beginning stage:
Anisian
Fraction up in beginning stage:
0.0
Beginning date (Ma):
246.70
Ending stage:
Toarcian
Fraction up in the ending stage:
0.0
Ending date (Ma):
184.20
Depositional setting
Depositional pattern:
Additional Information
Compiler:
Chart derived from: USGS Correlation Chart and Columnar Section for Rocks in Libya, 1963. Descriptions from: Hallet, Don: Petroleum Geology of Libya, 2002.