Lower Maleri Formation, Geological formation in Andhra Pradesh, India
The Lower Maleri Formation is a layered geological structure in Andhra Pradesh made up of mudstones and sandstones that accumulated during the Late Triassic period. The different rock types stacked on top of each other tell the story of how environmental conditions changed over time in an ancient basin.
This formation developed during the Late Triassic period when a shallow basin was repeatedly flooded by water that left behind layers of sediment. Scientists have since found many fossils trapped in these rock layers that reveal what kinds of animals lived there long ago.
Scientists from multiple countries collaborate at this site to study the evolution of vertebrates and document the environmental conditions of prehistoric India.
The site is located in a remote area and requires careful planning if you want to visit for study purposes. Access is easiest during the dry season when paths and exposed rock layers are more accessible.
The formation has preserved several different communities of animals from the Triassic period, including early relatives of dinosaurs and other reptiles that lived side by side. This mixture reveals that very different creatures shared the same environment.
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