Boonton Formation, Geological formation in Morris County, New Jersey, United States.
The Boonton Formation is a geological layer in Morris County composed of reddish-brown sandstone alternating with red, gray, purple, and black siltstone. The rock layers stack together to reveal how this region's geology developed over time.
This rock layer formed roughly 190 to 197 million years ago during an early phase of the dinosaur age. It was named after the nearby town of Boonton and marks an important period in the geological development of this region.
The formation preserves numerous fossils, including fish specimens like Semiontus elegans and Diplurus longicaudatus, along with reptile tracks and plant remains.
Visitors can observe these rock layers at exposed cuts in the area, especially along road cuts and quarry faces. For detailed scientific data and water samples, the USGS maintains monitoring stations nearby.
Fossils of fish and reptiles are commonly found in this formation, showing that this area was once covered by water. These remains offer rare glimpses into the animal life of that distant geological past.
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