San Timoteo Formation
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The San Timoteo Formation, also called the San Timoteo Beds, is a geologic formation in California.
| San Timoteo Formation | |
|---|---|
| Type | Formation |
| Location | |
| Region | California |
| Country | United States |
History
Part of the wider San Timoteo Badlands, San Timoteo Formation was initially excavated in San Timoteo Canyon under by a team sponsored by Childs Frick from 1916 to 1921.[1][2]
Geology
The San Timoteo Formation represents Pliocene and Early Pleistocene sediments, mostly sandstone. The Formation overlies the late Miocene and early Pliocene Mt. Eden Formation (Jack Rabbit Trail & Eden Hot Springs localities, corresponding to the Hemphillian and Blancan faunal stages).[2]
Fossils
Fossils of Irvingtonian prehistoric mammals were found in the San Timoteo Formation (El Casco, Mammoth and Shutt Ranch localities).[2][3][4][5] These include:
- Canis edwardii (Edward's wolf)
- Microtus sp. (vole)
- Ondatra idahoensis (muskrat)
- Mictomys kansasensis (bog lemming)
- Erethizon cascoensis (porcupine)
- “Plesippus” fracescana (three-toed horse)
- Equus bautistensis (horse)
- Tapirus merriami (tapir)
- Odocoileus cascaensis (deer)
- Megalonyx sp. (ground sloth)
- Mammuthus sp. (mammoth)
- Possibly a giant bear (may be either Arctodus or Agriotherium)[6]
Fossils have also been recovered from the El Casco Substation locality, which was dated to 1.4Mya. Recovered specimens include Smilodon gracilis, Homotherium, two ground sloths, two types of camels, a llama, horse, and deer. Plant fossils include birch, pine, sycamore and oak trees.[7][8][9]
See also
References
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