The Elko Formation, also known as Elko Shale(s), is an oil shale geologic formation in Elko County, northern Nevada, United States. The deltaic and lacustrine shales and limestones preserve fossils dating back to the Middle Eocene of the Paleogene to Middle Miocene of the Neogene period. The frog genus Elkobatrachus and ant species Pseudocamponotus elkoanus were named after the formation.
Description The formation ranges in age from the Middle Eocene (Uintan), with the underlying lower member dated at 46.1 ± 0.1 Ma and the upper member of the Eocene section dated at 38.9 ± 0.3 Ma.Elkobatrachus type locality at Fossilworks.org
A younger section is dated to the Late Eocene to Early Oligocene (37.2 to 28.4 Ma)Central Pacific Railroad shaft, Elko at Fossilworks.org and the Elko Shale member is dated to the Middle Miocene (16.0 to 11.6 Ma).Miopelodytes type locality at Fossilworks.org
Fossil content The following fossils were reported from the formation: Elkobatrachus brocki Miopelodytes gilmorei Pseudocamponotus elkoanus Candona sp. Lymnaea sp. Sphaerium sp. ?Pontoniella sp.
See also
List of fossiliferous stratigraphic units in Nevada Paleontology in Nevada Oil shale Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum Middle Miocene disruption
References
Further reading A. C. Henrici and S. R. Haynes. 2006. Elkobatrachus brocki, a new pelobatid (Amphibia: Anura) from the Eocene Elko Formation of Nevada. Annals of Carnegie Museum 75(1):11-35 E. H. Taylor. 1941. A new anuran from the middle Miocene of Nevada. University of Kansas Science Bulletin 27(4):61-69 F. M. Carpenter. 1930. The Fossil Ants of North America. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University 70:1-66