Lefipán Formation, Geological formation in Chubut Province, Argentina
The Lefipán Formation is a geological unit in Chubut Province made up of layered clay, sand, and silt deposits spanning several hundred meters in thickness. These rocks were laid down in an ancient river system and contain material from a time when the environment was changing dramatically.
The formation was first documented in 1972 during geological fieldwork in Patagonia and named after a prominent Mapuche person. The layers record a critical transition period in the history of life on the southern continent.
The formation provides scientific evidence of plant and animal life transitions between the Cretaceous and Paleogene periods in South America.
The formation sits in a remote region of Patagonia and is mainly accessible for specialized geological study. Visitors should expect rugged conditions and should inquire about what permissions and equipment are needed.
The layers contain fossils of Cocatherium, the earliest known marsupial specimen from the Southern Hemisphere. This discovery shifted understanding of how marsupials evolved in South America.
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