Punchbowl Formation, Sandstone formation in Los Angeles County, California.
Punchbowl Formation is a sandstone and conglomerate formation found in the northern San Gabriel Mountains, with layers of different rock types stacked on top of each other. These deposits reveal the complex geological processes that shaped the region over millions of years.
The formation took shape between 14 and 8 million years ago during the Miocene epoch, when rivers and lakes deposited layers of sediment across the landscape. These deposits built up over time to create the thick rock sequences visible today.
Scientists regularly study this formation to understand geological processes, examining fossil records of ancient mammals including Aepycamelus alexandrae and various carnivorous species.
The formation is best accessed through Devil's Punchbowl Natural Area, where exposed rock layers are clearly visible and easy to examine. Visitors can walk trails that offer various viewpoints of the geological structures throughout the year.
The rock layers contain fossil remains of animals that lived in this region millions of years ago, including extinct camel species and other mammals. These fossils provide researchers with clues about ancient life and the environment of that distant time.
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