Katian, Geological stage site at Black Knob Ridge, Oklahoma, United States
Katian is a geological stage at Black Knob Ridge in Oklahoma marked by dark chert layers and shale deposits containing extensive marine fossils from the Upper Ordovician. These rock formations show the sediments of an ancient sea that covered this region during the late Ordovician period.
This geological stage was designated as an international reference point for the late Ordovician in the early 2000s and defines a time from about 453 to 445 million years ago. Its establishment at this location helped scientists compare rock layers worldwide with this specific time period.
Scientists from multiple nations study the Katian Stage formations to understand the evolution of marine organisms during the Late Ordovician period.
This site is a research location that scientists visit to examine the Ordovician rock layers and their fossil remains. Visitors should be aware that this is a specialized place primarily accessible for geological fieldwork.
A special feature of this location is the first appearance of specific graptolite fossils that serve as markers for the beginning of this geological time period. These fossils help geologists worldwide to date and compare rocks precisely.
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