Winton Formation, Geological formation in central-western Queensland, Australia
The Winton Formation is a geological layer in central-western Queensland made up of sandstone, siltstone, and claystone. These rock layers stretch over 400 meters thick and hold fossils of dinosaurs and other ancient animals.
These rock layers formed about 95 to 98 million years ago when ancient rivers deposited large amounts of sediment into a basin. The region was shaped by a vast inland sea called the Eromanga Sea, which created the conditions for these sediments to accumulate.
Scientists from the University of Queensland conduct field studies in the Winton Formation to research dinosaur evolution and early Cretaceous ecosystems.
Fossils are scattered across several excavation sites where researchers regularly make new discoveries. Visitors can explore the layers and finds best during the drier months, when access to the sites is more straightforward.
The sediment layers represent rivers as large as the modern Amazon and harbored a remarkable variety of ancient plants. These layers contain traces of over 50 different plant species, showing how lush and alive the ancient environment once was.
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