New Egypt Formation, Geological formation in New Jersey, United States
The New Egypt Formation is a geological layer in southern Monmouth County composed of dark gray to chocolate brown glauconitic sand with quartz deposits embedded throughout. The layer is visible in surface exposures and continues downward, providing geologists with good conditions to study its structure and composition.
This layer formed during the Late Cretaceous when a shallow sea covered the region and deposited sediments over time. The bedrock created then now shows what the environment was like in that distant period.
Scientists frequently study the formation's fossil collections, which include specimens of marine reptiles, sharks, and dinosaurs like Dryptosaurus and hadrosaurs.
Visitors can observe this geological layer at various spots around Crosswicks Creek where exposures are sometimes visible from the surface. Preparing for hilly to flat ground helps when exploring this site.
Both land animal remains and marine creatures were found in the sediments, suggesting dinosaur bones reached the sea. This mix reveals how rivers carried dead animals from inland into the ancient bay.
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