Zapata Formation

Zapata Formation
Stratigraphic range: Berriasian-Hauterivian
Type	Geological formation
Underlies	Punta Barrosa & Erezcano Formations
Overlies	Tobífera & Springhill Formations
Lithology
Primary	Shale
Other	Turbiditic sandstone, pyrite
Location
Coordinates
Approximate paleocoordinates
Region	Magallanes y la Antártica Chilena & Aysén Regions Santa Cruz Province
Country	Chile, Argentina
Extent	Magallanes or Austral Basin
Type section
Named for	Cerro Zapata
Zapata Formation (Argentina)

Zapata Formation (Spanish: Formación Zapata) is a sedimentary formation of Lower Cretaceous age in the Magallanes or Austral Basin of Argentina and Chile. Much of the formation is folded and faulted as consequence of the Andean orogeny. In outcrops of the Zapata Formation near Torres del Paine, the ichthyosaur genus Myobradypterygius has been found.

Fossil content

Color key Taxon Reclassified taxon Taxon falsely reported as present Dubious taxon or junior synonym Ichnotaxon Ootaxon Morphotaxon		Notes Uncertain or tentative taxa are in small text; crossed out taxa are discredited.

Ichthyosaurs

Ichthyosaurs of the Zapata Formation
Genus	Species	Location	Stratigraphic position	Material	Notes	Images
Myobradypterygius	M. hauthali				A ophthalmosaurid ichthyosaur

References

Bibliography

• Fildani, Andrea, Romans, B.W., Fosdick, J.C., Crane, W.H., and Hubbard, S.M. (2008). Orogenesis of the Patagonian Andes as reflected by basin evolution in southernmost South America, in Spencer, J.E., and Titley, S.R., eds., Ores and orogenesis: Circum-Pacific tectonics, geologic evolution, and ore deposits: Arizona Geological Society Digest 22: 259–268

Further reading

• M. R. Schultz, A. Fildani, and M. Suarez. 2003. Occurrence of the southernmost South American ichthyosaur (Middle Jurassic), Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, Patagonia, southernmost Chile. Palaios 18:69-73