The Cerro Fortaleza Formation, in older literature described as Pari Aike Formation, is a Late Cretaceous geologic formation of Campanian to Maastrichtian age[1][2] (although it has formerly been reported to be Cenomanian to Santonian)[3] of the Austral Basin in southern Patagonia, Argentina.
Cerro Fortaleza Formation | |
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Stratigraphic range: Campanian to Maastrichtian ~ | |
Type | Geological formation |
Underlies | La Irene Formation |
Overlies | Anita Formation |
Thickness | 460 m (1,510 ft) |
Lithology | |
Primary | Sandstone |
Location | |
Coordinates | 49°54′S 72°06′W / 49.9°S 72.1°W |
Approximate paleocoordinates | 51°54′S 61°48′W / 51.9°S 61.8°W |
Region | Santa Cruz Province, southern Patagonia |
Country | Argentina |
Extent | Austral Basin |
Cerro Fortaleza Formation (Argentina) |
The sandstones of the formation were deposited in a fluvial environment. The formation has an estimated thickness of 460 metres (1,510 ft) and overlies the Anita Formation, while it is overlain by the La Irene Formation.[4] These formations are considered Campanian & Maastrichtian in age, respectively,[4][5] making the Cerro Fortaleza Formation aged between them.
The giant titanosaurs Puertasaurus and Dreadnoughtus, the megaraptoran Orkoraptor, Austrocheirus isasii, and the ornithopod Talenkauen have been recovered from the formation alongside turtles and crocodiles.[6]