Coordinates: 50°14′48″N 06°27′21″W / 50.24667°N 6.45583°W / 50.24667; -6.45583

Klerf Formation

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Klerf Formation
Stratigraphic range: Emsian
~409–392 Ma
TypeGeological formation
Sub-unitsReifferscheid Mb.
Altenberg Mb.
Unterpreth Mb.
UnderliesHeisdorf Formation
OverliesSchleiden Formation
Thickness1,300 m (4,300 ft)
Lithology
PrimarySiltstone, shale
OtherSandstone
Location
LocationEifel
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RegionRhineland-Palatinate
CountryGermany
Type section
Named byRichter
LocationWillwerath near Prüm
Year defined1919
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Approximate paleocoordinatesLua error: callParserFunction: function "#coordinates" was not found.
RegionEifel
CountryFile:Flag of Germany.svg Germany
File:AVALONIA.svg
Avalonia with the Proto-Tethys Ocean (3)

The Klerf Formation is an Early Devonian (Emsian) formation that includes a Lagerstätte in the Northern Eifel hills, at Willwerath near Prüm, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. In it Jaekelopterus rhenaniae, a giant eurypterid was discovered. The Klerf Formation, comprising greenish and reddish shales, siltstones and sandstones, was first described in 1919 by Rudolf Richter (1881-1957) and reaches a maximum thickness of about 1,300 metres (4,300 ft).[1] It is part of Alken quarry along with Nellenköpfchen Formation.[2]

Depositional environment

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The siltstone and sandstone formation was deposited in an estuarine to deltaic environment.[3] This was located on the edge of Avalonia bordering the Proto-Tethys Ocean.

Fossil content

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File:20210106 Jaekelopterus rhenaniae.png
Restoration of J. rhenaniae

Apart from the largest arthropod, Jaekelopterus rhenaniae, found in the formation, it also preserved other eurypterids (Adelophthalmus sievertsi, Parahughmilleria hefteri, Rhenopterus diensti, Pruemopterus salgadoi, Erieopterus sp.),[4] possible xiphosuran (Willwerathia),[5] terrestrial arachnids (Devonotarbus hombachensis, Xenarachne willwerathensis),[6][7] some fish, bryozoa, brachiopod and ostracod remains,[1] Mutationella indet. and flora.[8]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Lithostratigraphische Einheiten Deutschlands: Klerf Formation
  2. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  3. ^ Willwerath at Fossilworks.org
  4. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  5. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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  7. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  8. ^ Klerf Formation at Fossilworks.org