The Winona Formation (also called the Winona Sand or the Winona Greensand[1]) is a sand geologic formation in Mississippi. It preserves fossils dating back to the Paleogene period.
Winona Formation | |
---|---|
Stratigraphic range: Paleogene | |
Type | Formation |
Unit of | Claiborne Group |
Underlies | Sparta Formation |
Overlies | Tallahatta Formation |
Lithology | |
Primary | sand glauconite |
Other | ironstone |
Location | |
Region | Mississippi |
Country | United States |
Type section | |
Named for | Winona, Mississippi |
Description
editThe Winona Formation was originally described as a member of the Tallahatta Formation or as a member of the Lisbon Formation, both of which are members of the Claiborne Group.[1][2] It was upgraded to formation status and is considered a separate formation from both by the Mississippi Dept. of Environmental Quality Office of Geology.[2] The Winona formation is a medium to fine grain poorly sorted sand that contains silt, clay, and fossils. It has a high glauconite content, up to 50% in some areas.[2] Fossils, molds, and casts are commonly found in lithified beds,[2] and the fossil assemblage includes bivalves, gastropods, echinoids, shark teeth, crabs, foraminifera, and ostracods.[1] The depositional environment for this formation is considered a shallow-water, near shore marine shelf facies as part of a marine transgression series.[1][2]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d Thomas, Emil P. "The Claiborne" (PDF). Mississippi State Geological Survey Bulletin. 48: 28–33. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
- ^ a b c d e Merrill, Robert K.; Sims, James J.; Gann, Delbert E.; Liles, Kenneth J. (1985). "Newton County geology and mineral resources" (PDF). Mississippi Bureau of Geology Bulletin. 126: 33–34. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
- Various Contributors to the Paleobiology Database. "Fossilworks: Gateway to the Paleobiology Database". Retrieved 17 December 2021.