Yazoo Clay

Yazoo Clay is a clay geologic formation in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi. It was named after a bluff along the Yazoo River at Yazoo City, Mississippi[1] It contains is a type of clay known as montmorillonite, making it a poor foundation material due to the fact that moisture causes extreme changes in volume. Sand, pyrite, and marl have all been noted in the formation. It preserves fossils from the Eocene, including the prehistoric cetacean Basilosaurus[1].

Yazoo Clay
TypeFormation
Unit ofJackson Group
Sub-unitsNorth Twistwood Creek Member, Cocoa Sand Member, Pachuta Marl Member, and Shubuta Member
OverliesMoodys Branch Formation
Lithology
Primaryclay
Othersand, marl
Location
Region Alabama,  Louisiana, and  Mississippi
CountryUnited States
Type section
Named for Yazoo River

See also

References

  1. Monroe, Watson H. (1954). "Geology of the Jackson Area Mississippi" (PDF). United States Geological Survey Bulletin. 986: 56–62. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
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