Minaret Formation
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The Minaret Formation is a Late Cambrian limestone formation of the Heritage Group of Antarctica. The age of the formation is established to be Guzhangian to Cambrian Stage 10 (or Merioneth to Dresbachian in the regional stratigraphy), dated at ranging from 500 to 488 Ma.[1]
Quick Facts Type, Unit of ...
Minaret Formation | |
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Stratigraphic range: Guzhangian-Cambrian Stage 10 (Merioneth-Dresbachian) ~500–488 Ma | |
Type | Geological formation |
Unit of | Heritage Group |
Underlies | Crashsite Group Howard Nunataks Formation |
Overlies | Liberty Hills & Springer Peak Formations |
Thickness | Up to 600 m (2,000 ft) |
Lithology | |
Primary | Limestone |
Location | |
Coordinates | 79.4°S 84.8°W / -79.4; -84.8 |
Region | Ellsworth Land |
Country | Antarctica |
Extent | Ellsworth Mountains, Yochelson Ridge & Heritage Range |
![]() Paleogeography of the Cambrian with the supercontinent Pannotia and Antarctica south of the paleo-equator |
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The formation has provided the first known Late Cambrian archaeocyathid,[2] and Knightoconus antarcticus, an ancestor to the cephalopods.[3]