Eastover Formation
Geologic formation in Virginia and North Carolina, United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Eastover Formation[1] is a geologic formation in Virginia, and North Carolina. It preserves fossils dating back to the Messinian stage of the Late Miocene Epoch, between 7 to 6 million years ago.[2]
| Eastover Formation | |
|---|---|
| Stratigraphic range: | |
| Type | Formation |
| Unit of | Chesapeake Group |
| Sub-units | Claremont Manor Member, Cobham Bay Member |
| Underlies | Yorktown Formation |
| Overlies | St. Marys Formation |
| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| Extent | Virginia and North Carolina |
Fossils
Marine mammals
The fossil iniid dolphins Meherrinia and Isoninia are both likely from the Eastover Formation (although they may potentially date to the overlying Yorktown Formation)[3][4], as well as the earless seals Terranectes and Virginiaphoca.[5][6]
Fossil plants
The flora of the Eastover Formation consists mostly of lignitized plant remains and a documented palynoflora record. The terrestrial palynoflora represented in the Eastover Formation consisted primarily of temperate -warm temperate taxa.[7]
Known taxa
- Quercus (Oak)
- Alnus (Alder)
- Pinus (Pine)
- Betula (Birch)
- Taxodium (Cypress)
- Ulmus (Elm)
- Liquidambar (Sweetgum)
- Poaceae (Grasses)
- Cyperaceae (sedges)
- Amaranthaceae
- Asteraceae
