Melbourne Formation

Melbourne Formation
Stratigraphic range: Ludlow epoch
~
TypeFormation
Unit ofMurrindindi Supergroup
UnderliesHumevale Formation
OverliesYan Yean & Anderson Creek Formations
Lithology
PrimarySandstone, siltstone
OtherShale, mudstone
Location
Coordinates37°48′S 145°00′E / 37.8°S 145.0°E / -37.8; 145.0
Approximate paleocoordinates2°06′S 174°54′E / 2.1°S 174.9°E / -2.1; 174.9
RegionVictoria
CountryAustralia
ExtentLachlan Orogen
Type section
Named forMelbourne
Named bySchleiger
Year defined1974
Melbourne Formation (Australia)
Melbourne Formation (Victoria)

The Melbourne Formation is a geologic formation in Victoria, Australia. It preserves fossils dating back to the Ludlow epoch of the Silurian period.[1][2]

Description

The Melbourne Formation, part of the Murrindindi Supergroup, is conformably overlain by the Humevale Formation and overlies the Yan Yean and Anderson Creek Formations. The formation comprises mainly thin-bedded siltstone and sandstones. Most beds show undisturbed Bouma sequences.[1]

Fossil content

The following fossils were reported from the formation:[2]

Eurypterids

Trilobites

Brachiopods

  • Aegiria thomasi[4]
  • ?Leptostrophia sp.[4]
  • cf. Phoenicitoechia sp.[4]

Gastropods

Bivalves

  • Ctenodontella sp.[4]
  • cf. Ctenodonta spp.[4]

Scyphozoa

  • Conulariidae indet.[4]

Corals

  • Cladopora spp.[4]
  • cf. Alveolites sp.[4]

Ophiuroidea

  • Mausoleaster sugarloafensis[5]
  • Protaster sp.[5]

Crinoids

  • Dendrocrinus saundersi[5]
  • Kooptoonocrinus nutti[5]
  • Dimerocrinitidae indet.[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Melbourne Formation at the Australian Stratigraphic Units Database
  2. ^ a b Melbourne Formation at Fossilworks.org
  3. ^ Plotnick, 1999
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Talent, 1965
  5. ^ a b c d e Jell & Holloway, 1983

Bibliography

  • Plotnick, R. E (1999), Habitat of Llandoverian-Lochkovian eurypterids, in A. J. Boucot, J. D. Lawson (eds.), Paleocommunities - a case study from the Silurian and Lower Devonian, pp. 106–136
  • Jell, P. A.; Holloway, D. J. (1983), "Devonian and ?Late Silurian Palaeontology of the Winneke Reservoir Site, Christmas Hills, Victoria", Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria, 95: 1–21
  • Talent, J. A (1965), "The Silurian and Early Devonian Faunas of the Heathcote District, Victoria", Geological Survey of Victoria Memoir, 26: 1–55

Further reading

  • Schleiger, N.W., 1974, Statistical methods for analysis and mapping of flysch-type sediments., Sedimentology, 21(2), p223-249
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