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Zarzaitine Formation
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Zarzaitine Fm base reconstruction

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

{"type":"Feature","geometry":{"type":"MultiPolygon","coordinates":[[[[11.34,27.45],[13.39,27.39],[14.46,27.51],[15.98,27.9],[16.32,27.52],[16.85,26.8],[17.47,25.91],[18.79,24.92],[19.32,25.17],[19.24,25.9],[19.5,26.92],[19.12,28.29],[17.57,28.24],[16.78,28.93],[15.74,28.8],[15.31,28.36],[14.8,28.71],[13.14,28.68],[12.53,28.08],[11.34,27.45]]]]}}

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.