The Corda Formation is a red sandstone geologic formation in the Parnaíba Basin in Tocantins, Brazil. It was formed during the Neoaptian to Eoalbian series of the Early Cretaceous.

Corda Formation
Stratigraphic range: Late Aptian-Early Albian
~115–110 Ma
TypeGeological formation
UnderliesSardinha Formation
OverliesItapecuru Formation
Lithology
PrimaryRed sandstone
Location
Coordinates5°42′S 47°30′W / 5.7°S 47.5°W / -5.7; -47.5
Approximate paleocoordinates5°06′S 14°48′W / 5.1°S 14.8°W / -5.1; -14.8
RegionTocantins
Country Brazil
ExtentParnaíba Basin
Type section
Named forCorda River
Corda Formation is located in Brazil
Corda Formation
Corda Formation (Brazil)

Large-scale fossil sauropod tracks have been reported from the formation.[1][2][3][4]

Origin edit

The Corda Formation is characterized by reddish sandstones, that were probably deposited in windy deserts and fast flowing freshwater streams. Therefore, fossils are very rare.[1]

Occurrence edit

This formation outcrops in the central part of the Parnaíba Basin, between the mouth of the Araguaia River in the west the Parnaíba River in the east.[1]

Lithology edit

The Corda Formation consists largely of red sandstone, with very fine to medium grain size, rich in zeolites and iron oxide. Where whinstones[clarification needed] are overlaying fragments of this rock are also present. Typical structures of wind dunes (cross bedding, ripples, and grain flow) are common. This is consistent with deposition in a desert system.[1]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d Alves, 2010
  2. ^ Weishampel et al., 2004
  3. ^ Leonardi, 1994, p.53
  4. ^ Leonardi, 1994, p.62

Bibliography edit

  • Alves, Y.M. 2010. Report on the Upper Permian and Lower Cretaceous fossiliferous localities vertebrates-bearing in the central north of Tocantins State, Brazil. Brazilian Geographical Journal: Geosciences and Humanities research medium, Uberlândia 1(2). 372–386. Accessed 2019-02-16.
  • Leonardi, Giuseppe. 1994. Annotated Atlas of South America Tetrapod Footprints (Devonian to Holocene) with an appendix on Mexico and Central America, 1–248. Ministerio de Minas e Energia - Companhia de Pesquisa de Recursos Minerais, Geological Service of Brazil. Accessed 2019-03-25.
  • Weishampel, David B.; Peter Dodson, and Halszka Osmólska (eds.). 2004. The Dinosauria, 2nd edition, 1–880. Berkeley: University of California Press. Accessed 2019-02-21. ISBN 0-520-24209-2