Lautaro Formation

The Lautaro Formation is sedimentary and fossiliferous geological formation that largely crops out near Copiapó (Atacama Region), Chile. It is dated back to the Jurassic period (Toarcian through Aalenian stages). The lithology of the formation comprises limestone and sandstone, formed in marine settings. The Lautaro Formation preserves a marine fossil record, representing molluscs (bivalves, gastropods) and marine reptiles (metriorhynchids, plesiosaurs).^[1][2][3]

TypeGeological formation

UnderliesQuebrada Monardes Formation

OverliesLa Ternera Formation

Thickness~2,600 m (8,500 ft)

Quick facts Type, Underlies ...

Lautaro Formation
Stratigraphic range: Toarcian–Aalenian, ~184–170 Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N
Strata of the Lautaro Formation outcropping at La Puerta locality
Type	Geological formation
Underlies	Quebrada Monardes Formation
Overlies	La Ternera Formation
Thickness	~2,600 m (8,500 ft)
Lithology
Primary	Limestone
Other	Sandstone
Location
Region	Atacama Region
Country	Chile
Extent	Lautaro Basin
Type section
Named for	Lautaro

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The strata of the Lautaro Formation and its basin of deposition (the Lautaro Basin) have been subject to intense tectonic movement during the Mesozoic, producing large-scale stratigraphic discontinuity and tectonic inversion.^{[2][4][5][6][7]}