Aquia Formation

The Aquia Formation is a geologic sandstone formation that extends from the upper Chesapeake Bay to the James River near Hopewell, Virginia.[1] It consists of clayey, silty, very shelly, glauconitic sand.[1] Fossil records indicate that this stratigraphic unit was created during the Paleocene.[1]

Aquia Formation
Stratigraphic range: Late Paleocene
~
Thecachampsa crocodile coprolite (Aquia Formation; King George County, Virginia)
TypeGeological formation
Unit ofPamunkey Group
Sub-unitsPaspotansa & Piscataway Members
UnderliesNanjemoy Formation
OverliesBrightseat Formation
Thicknessup to 100 feet (30 m)
Lithology
PrimarySandstone
Location
LocationHopewell, Virginia
Coordinates38.3°N 77.3°W / 38.3; -77.3
Approximate paleocoordinates39.0°N 58.9°W / 39.0; -58.9
RegionMaryland, New Jersey, Virginia
Country United States
ExtentUpper Chesapeake Bay-James River
Type section
Named forAquia Creek

The Aquia formation was named for Aquia Creek where it is exposed in cliff faces along the banks.[2]

Geology

Lithology

When uncovered, it appears dark green to gray-green, argillaceous, with well sorted fine- to medium-grained sand and locally indurated shell beds.[3] It occurs between 0 and 100 feet thick.[3] Quartz and phosphatic pebbles and/or very coarse glauconitic quartz sand mark the base of the unit.[4] A few hard streaks of shells or thin "rock" layers are often reported but appear to be more abundant in the sections south of the James River.[4]

Stratigraphy

The Aquia formation is overlain by the Nanjemoy Formation and overlies the Brightseat Formation.[5]

The Aquia formation is broken down into two members: the lower Piscataway member and upper Paspotansa member.[2]

Age

The Aquia Formation is thought to be 59.0-55.5 million years old.[2] The Piscataway member is 59-56.25 million years old, and the Paspotansa member is 56-55.5 million years old.[2]

Fossils

Bony fish

Sharks
Rays
Crocodylians
Turtles

Mammals

Mammal fossils are extremely rare.[2]

Birds

Bird fossils are extremely rare.[2]

Gastropods

Bivalves

Cephalopods

  • Cimomia marylandensis is present but uncommon.[19]

See also

References

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