Vectis Formation

The Vectis Formation is a geological formation on the Isle of Wight and Swanage, England whose strata were formed in the lowermost Aptian, approximately 125 million years ago.[1][2] The environment of deposition was that of a freshwater coastal lagoon with occasional marine influence after the early Aptian marine transgression, transitioning from the floodplain environment of the underlying Wessex Formation. The primary lithology is of laminated grey mudstones. The Vectis Formation is composed of three geological members: the Shepherds Chine member, the Barnes High Sandstone member, and the Cowleaze Chine member. It is overlain by the fully marine Atherfield Clay Formation, part of the Lower Greensand Group. Dinosaur remains are among the fossils that have been recovered from the formation.[3]

Vectis Formation
Stratigraphic range: Early Aptian
~125 Ma
↓
TypeGeological formation
Unit ofWealden Group
Sub-unitsShepherds Chine, Barnes High Sandstone & Cowleaze Chine Members
UnderliesAtherfield Clay Formation
OverliesWessex Formation
ThicknessUp to 66 m (217 ft)
Lithology
PrimarySiltstone, mudstone
OtherSandstone, limestone, ironstone
Location
RegionEngland
Country UK
ExtentDorset, Isle of Wight

Dinosaurs
  • Calamospondylus oweni[3]
  • Theropod tracks[3]
  • Polacanthus foxii[3]
  • Hypsilophodon foxii[3]
  • Euornithopod indet[3]
  • Euornithopod tracks[3]
  • Mantellisaurus atherfieldensis[3]
  • Yaverlandia bitholus[3][4]

See also
  • List of dinosaur-bearing rock formations

References
  1. "Magnetostratigraphy of the Lower Cretaceous Vectis Formation (Wealden Group) on the Isle of Wight, Southern England."
  2. Batten, D. J. (ed.) 2011. English Wealden Fossils. The Palaeontological Association, London.
  3. Weishampel, David B; et al. (2004). "Dinosaur distribution (Early Cretaceous, Europe)." In: Weishampel, David B.; Dodson, Peter; and Osmólska, Halszka (eds.): The Dinosauria, 2nd, Berkeley: University of California Press. Pp. 556-563. ISBN 0-520-24209-2.
  4. Galton, P.M. (1971) "A primitive dome-headed dinosaur (Ornithischia: Pachycephalosauridae) from the Lower Cretaceous of England and the function of the dome of pachycephalosaurids". Journal of Paleontology, Vol. 45, No. 1, Pages 40–47.
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