Mesaverde Formation

Mesaverde Formation Stratigraphic range: Late Cretaceous
Type	Sedimentary
Underlies	Meeteetse Formation, Datil Group (regionally)
Overlies	Cody Shale
Thickness	200-400 m
Lithology
Primary	sandstone and shale
Other	coal
Location
Extent	Wyoming

The Mesaverde Formation is a Late Cretaceous geologic formation.

The formation is described by W.G. Pierce as interbedded light gray sandstone and gray shale in upper part; lower part massive, light-buff, ledge-forming sandstone containing thin lenticular coal beds.^[1]

The formation occurs in various structural basins in the western United States such as Piceance Basin, Powder River Basin, Uintah Basin, Washakie Basin, and Wind River Basin.

Dinosaur remains are among the fossils that have been recovered from the formation, although none have yet been referred to a specific genus.^[2]

See also

• List of dinosaur-bearing rock formations
  • List of stratigraphic units with indeterminate dinosaur fossils

Footnotes

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	Paleontology portal
	Dinosaurs portal

1. ^ Pierce, W.G., 1997, Geologic map of the Cody 1 degree x 2 degrees quadrangle, northwestern Wyoming: U.S. Geological Survey, Miscellaneous Geologic Investigations Map I-2500, scale 1:250000.
2. ^ Weishampel, et al. (2004). "Dinosaur distribution." Pp. 517-607.

References

• Weishampel, David B.; Dodson, Peter; and Osmólska, Halszka (eds.): The Dinosauria, 2nd, Berkeley: University of California Press. 861 pp. ISBN 0-520-24209-2.