Adaffa Formation
Geological formation in Saudi Arabia
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The Adaffa Formation is a geological formation in Saudi Arabia, and the lowermost unit of the Suqah Group. It dates back to the Campanian of the Late Cretaceous. The lithology consists of sandstone, siltstone and marl, with a basal granitic conglomerate with phosphatic nodules. Also present are ferricrete horizons. It was deposited in marginal marine conditions close to land. Fish,[1] marine reptile[2] and dinosaur[3] remains have been recovered from the formation.
Unit ofSuqah Group
UnderliesUnconformity with Lower Miocene Al Wajh Formation
OverliesProterozoic granite basement
| Adaffa Formation | |
|---|---|
| Stratigraphic range: Campanian ~ | |
| Type | Geological formation |
| Unit of | Suqah Group |
| Underlies | Unconformity with Lower Miocene Al Wajh Formation |
| Overlies | Proterozoic granite basement |
| Thickness | Up to 200 m (660 ft) |
| Lithology | |
| Primary | Sandstone, siltstone, marl |
| Other | Conglomerate |
| Location | |
| Location | Midyan Peninsula, Tabuk Region |
| Coordinates | 27.3°N 35.7°E |
| Approximate paleocoordinates | 9.7°N 29.2°E |
| Region | Arabian Peninsula |
| Country | Saudi Arabia |
Fossil content
Color key
|
Notes Uncertain or tentative taxa are in small text; |
Dinosaurs
Sauropods
| Sauropods of the Adaffa Formation | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genus | Species | Location | Stratigraphic position | Material | Notes | Image |
| Titanosauria Indet. | Indeterminate | Arabian Peninsula | Campanian | Seven caudal vertebrae, seemingly from the same individual | A titanosaurian sauropod | |
Theropods
| Theropods of the Adaffa Formation | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genus | Species | Location | Stratigraphic position | Material | Notes | Image |
| Abelisauridae Indet. | Indeterminate | Arabian Peninsula | Campanian | Two teeth | A abelisaurid theropod | |
Crocodylomorphs
| Crocodylomorphs of the Adaffa Formation | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genus | Species | Location | Stratigraphic position | Material | Notes | Image |
| Dyrosauridae | Indeterminate | Arabian Peninsula | Campanian | Two vertebrae | A dyrosaurid neosuchian | |
| Crocodyliformes | Indeterminate | Arabian Peninsula | Campanian | Cranial fragment | An indeterminate crocodyliform | |
Mosasaurs
| Mosasaurs of the Adaffa Formation | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genus | Species | Location | Stratigraphic position | Material | Notes | Image |
| Mosasauridae Indet. | Indeterminate | Arabian Peninsula | Campanian | Pygal vertebra | An indeterminate mosasaurid | |
| Plioplatecarpinae Indet. | Indeterminate | Arabian Peninsula | Campanian | Dorsal vertebra | A plioplatecarpine mosasaurid | |
| Prognathodon | Indeterminate | Arabian Peninsula | Campanian | Teeth | A prognathodontin mosasaurine | |
Plesiosaurs
| Plesiosaurs of the Adaffa Formation | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genus | Species | Location | Stratigraphic position | Material | Notes | Image |
| Elasmosauridae Indet. | Indeterminate | Arabian Peninsula | Campanian | Rostral portion of a skull | A elasmosaurid plesiosaur | |
Squamates
Turtles
| Turtles of the Adaffa Formation | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genus | Species | Location | Stratigraphic position | Material | Notes | Image |
| cf. Taphrosphyini Indet. | Indeterminate | Arabian Peninsula | Campanian | Shell fragments and a femur | A taphrosphyin bothremyoddan | |
Fish
Cartilaginous Fish
| Cartilaginous Fish of the Adaffa Formation | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genus | Species | Location | Stratigraphic position | Material | Notes | Image |
| ?Anacoracidae Indet. | Indeterminate | Arabian Peninsula | Campanian | Vertebrae | A anacoracid lamniform | |
Lobe-finned Fish
| Lobe-finned Fish of the Adaffa Formation | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genus | Species | Location | Stratigraphic position | Material | Notes | Image |
| Ceratodus | Indeterminate | Arabian Peninsula | Campanian | Toothplates | A ceratodontid lungfish | |
Ray-finned Fish
| Ray-finned Fish of the Adaffa Formation | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genus | Species | Location | Stratigraphic position | Material | Notes | Image |
| cf. Enchodus | Indeterminate | Arabian Peninsula | Campanian | Teeth | A enchodontid aulopiform | |
| cf. Protosphyraena | Indeterminate | Arabian Peninsula | Campanian | Teeth | A protosphyraenine protosphyraenid | |
| Lepisosteidae Indet. | Indeterminate | Arabian Peninsula | Campanian | Vertebral centra | A gar | |
| Pycnodontiformes Indet. | Indeterminate | Arabian Peninsula | Campanian | Teeth | A pycnodont | |