The Tulare Formation (/tʊˈlɛəri/ ) is a Pliocene to Holocene epoch geologic formation in the central and southern San Joaquin Valley of central California.[1][2]

Tulare Formation
Stratigraphic range: Neogene & Quaternary
TypeFormation
Underlies(is topmost formation)
OverliesSan Joaquin Formation
Thicknessup to 4,000 feet (1,200 m)
Location
RegionSan Joaquin Valley, California
CountryUnited States

Geology edit

It overlies the San Joaquin Formation, and can be up to 4,000 feet (1,200 m) thick.[1][2]

Its sediments consist mainly of unconsolidated deposits of clay, silt, sand, and gravel.[1]

Fossils edit

Many freshwater fossils are preserved in the formation, dating back to the Neogene and Quaternary Periods of the Cenozoic Era.[3] They include the largest fossil assemblage of clams and snails known on the Pacific Coast.[1]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d USGS.gov: "Geology of the Tulare Formation and other continental deposits, Kettleman City area, San Joaquin Valley, California, with a section on ground-water management considerations and use of texture maps"; Water-Resources Investigations Report 83-4000; by R.W. Page; 1983.
  2. ^ a b USGS.gov: "Neogene Gas Total Petroleum System—Neogene Nonassociated Gas Assessment Unit of the San Joaquin Basin Province"; Chapter 22 of the Petroleum Systems and Geologic Assessment of Oil and Gas in the San Joaquin Basin Province, California; by Allegra Hosford Scheirer and Leslie B. Magoon.
  3. ^ Various Contributors to the Paleobiology Database. "Fossilworks: Gateway to the Paleobiology Database". Retrieved 17 December 2021.