The Makah Formation is a geologic formation in Washington (state). It was deposited during the late Paleogene period between the late Eocene and early Oligocene epoches, and preserves marine fossils dating to the early Oligocene. It outcrops at the northwestern edge of the Olympic Peninsula.[1][2]

Makah Formation
Stratigraphic range: Late Eocene to Early Oligocene
Fossil of Branchioplax from the Makah Formation
TypeFormation
Unit ofTwin River Group
UnderliesPysht Formation
OverliesHoko River Formation
Lithology
PrimarySandstone, siltstone
Location
RegionWashington (state)
CountryUnited States
Type section
Named forMakah Reservation
Named bySnavely et al, 1980

Vertebrate paleobiota

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The following fossil taxa are known:[2]

Mammals

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Mammals of the Makah Formation
Genus Species Presence Material Notes Images
Fucaia F. buelli An aetiocetid baleen whale.
Mysticeti indet. A baleen whale of uncertain affinities.

Birds

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Birds of the Makah Formation
Genus Species Presence Material Notes Images
Galliformes indet. Skull A landfowl of uncertain affinities.
Klallamornis K. buchanani A plotopterid suliform.  
K. clarki
Makahala M. mirae An early tubenose seabird.[3]
?Phalacrocoracoidea indet. An indeterminate relative of cormorants and darters.
Tonsala T. hildegardae A plotopterid suliform.  

See also

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References

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  • Various Contributors to the Paleobiology Database. "Fossilworks: Gateway to the Paleobiology Database". Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  1. ^ "Geolex — Makah publications". ngmdb.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  2. ^ a b "PBDB". paleobiodb.org. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  3. ^ Mayr, Gerald (2022), Mayr, Gerald (ed.), "Phaethontiformes and Aequornithes: The Aquatic and Semi-aquatic Neaovian Taxa", Paleogene Fossil Birds, Cham: Springer International Publishing, pp. 117–152, doi:10.1007/978-3-030-87645-6_7, ISBN 978-3-030-87645-6, retrieved 2024-11-21