Whitehill Formation, Permian geological formation in Karas Region, Namibia
The Whitehill Formation is a geological layer in the Karas Region that spans across a large area of southeastern Namibia. It comprises black shales, dolomite, mudstone, gypsum, and halite deposits stacked in successive bands.
This layer formed during the Early Permian period around 280 million years ago, when this region lay beneath a shallow sea. The deposits resulted from the remains of marine organisms and fine sediments that accumulated over long periods.
Scientists from multiple institutions conduct field research at the formation to study sedimentary processes and reconstruct past environmental conditions.
The formation is visible at several locations in southeastern Namibia where the layers are exposed at the surface. These outcrops allow visitors to examine the rock layers directly and observe the geological history firsthand.
The black shales here contain fossil remains of plants and animals that lived in the ancient southern supercontinent of Gondwana. These well-preserved fossils help scientists understand what life looked like on this lost continent.
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