The Vectis Formation is a geological formation located on the Isle of Wight and Swanage, England. The strata of the Vectis Formation were formed during the lowermost Aptian period, approximately 125 million years ago. The environment of deposition was that of a freshwater coastal lagoon with occasional marine influence after the early Aptian marine transgression, transitioning.
The Vectis Formation is a fossil-rich formation and is known for its dinosaur remains, including a large spinosaurid dinosaur discovered in the formation. This spinosaurid is unusual in that the majority of dinosaurs from the Lower Cretaceous units of the Wealden Supergroup are from the fluviolacustrine deposits of the underlying Barremian Wessex Formation. In contrast, the lagoonal facies of the upper Barremian-lower Aptian Vectis Formation only rarely yield dinosaur material. The presence of desiccation cracks, as well as dinosaur footprints, suggests that the area was occasionally emerged.
Geological Overview
The Vectis Formation is a geological formation located on the Isle of Wight and Swanage, England. It is composed of three geological members: the Shepherds Chine member, the Barnes High Sandstone member, and the Cowleaze Chine member. The formation is estimated to have been formed in the lowermost Aptian, approximately 125 million years ago.
Stratigraphy
The Vectis Formation is overlain by the fully marine Atherfield Clay Formation, which is part of the Lower Greensand Group. The formation is also underlain by the Wessex Formation, which is made up of mottled, slits, and clays that have been pedogenically modified. The Vectis Formation comprises up to 65 meters of dark silty clays and subordinate sandstones.
Sedimentology
The Vectis Formation is known for its rich fossil record, with dinosaur remains among the fossils that have been recovered from the formation. Late Jurassic fossils occur commonly in the uppermost part of the Vectis Formation at Sandown Bay, on the southeast coast of the Isle of Wight. The sedimentology of the formation is characterized by dark silty clays and subordinate sandstones.
In summary, the Vectis Formation is a geological formation located on the Isle of Wight and Swanage, England. It is composed of three geological members and is estimated to have been formed approximately 125 million years ago. The formation is known for its rich fossil record, with dinosaur remains among the fossils that have been recovered from the formation. The sedimentology of the formation is characterized by dark silty clays and subordinate sandstones.
Location and Extent
Geographical Distribution
The Vectis Formation is a geological formation located in the south of England. It is found on the Isle of Wight and Swanage in Dorset. The formation is approximately 125 million years old and was formed during the lowermost Aptian. The coordinates of the formation are approximate paleocoordinates and it is situated in the UK.
Stratigraphic Position
The Vectis Formation is situated on the floodplain environment of the underlying Wessex Formation. The Wessex Formation is made up of modified, mottled, silts, and clays. The Vectis Formation comprises of up to 65m of dark silty clays and subordinate sandstones. It rests with a sharply defined surface upon the pedogenically modified Wessex Formation.
The formation was deposited in a freshwater coastal lagoon with occasional marine influence after the early Aptian marine transgression. The environment of deposition was that of a fluctuating salinity lagoon. The formation is suggested to be of Barremian/Aptian age by some researchers, while others consider it Barremian.
In conclusion, the Vectis Formation is a geological formation located in the south of England, specifically on the Isle of Wight and Swanage in Dorset. The formation was deposited in a freshwater coastal lagoon with occasional marine influence after the early Aptian marine transgression. The formation is situated on the floodplain environment of the underlying Wessex Formation.
Paleontology
Fossil Content
The Vectis Formation has yielded a diverse assemblage of fossils, including marine reptiles, dinosaurs, pterosaurs, crocodiles, turtles, and mammals. The Barnes High Sandstone Member is particularly rich in fossils, with numerous dinosaur and crocodile remains being recovered from this unit.
Some of the notable dinosaur fossils found in the Vectis Formation include the ornithopod Hypsilophodon foxii, the sauropod Neovenator salerii, and the theropod Baryonyx walkeri. The latter is of particular interest as it is one of the few known piscivorous dinosaurs, with its diet consisting primarily of fish.
In addition to dinosaur fossils, the Vectis Formation has also yielded numerous remains of pterosaurs, including the genus Ornithocheirus. These flying reptiles were the largest animals to have ever taken to the skies, with wingspans reaching up to 12 meters.
Paleoecology
The Vectis Formation preserves a snapshot of the early Cretaceous period, approximately 125 million years ago, when the climate was warm and humid, and sea levels were rising. The Barnes High Sandstone Member is interpreted as representing a nearshore environment, with the presence of marine reptiles such as plesiosaurs and ichthyosaurs indicating that the area was once covered by shallow seas.
The dinosaur fossils found in the Vectis Formation suggest that the area was once covered by a dense forest, with the ornithopod Hypsilophodon foxii likely being a common inhabitant of this environment. The presence of crocodile fossils also indicates that freshwater habitats were present in the area.
Overall, the fossils found in the Vectis Formation provide a unique window into the ancient ecosystems of the early Cretaceous, and continue to be a rich source of scientific inquiry and discovery.
Economic Significance
The Vectis Formation has been a subject of interest for resource extraction companies due to its potential as a source of oil and gas. However, despite the presence of hydrocarbon deposits, the formation’s economic viability for extraction is still under evaluation.
Resource Extraction
The Vectis Formation is known to contain hydrocarbon deposits, particularly oil and gas. However, the economic feasibility of extracting these resources is still uncertain due to various factors such as the depth of the deposits, the costs of drilling and extraction, and the potential environmental impact of the extraction process.
In addition to hydrocarbons, the Vectis Formation also contains sandstones that may have potential as a source of construction materials. The sandstones in the formation exhibit a wide range of sedimentary structures and heterogeneities, which may affect their suitability as construction materials.
Overall, while the Vectis Formation has potential as a source of valuable resources, further evaluation is necessary to determine its economic viability for extraction.
Research and Studies
Historical Research
The Vectis Formation has been the subject of extensive research since the 19th century. In the early days, scientists were primarily interested in the formation’s geology and sedimentology. However, as more fossils were discovered, the focus of research shifted towards the study of the formation’s paleontology. Early studies revealed that the Vectis Formation contained a diverse array of dinosaur fossils, including theropods, ornithopods, and sauropods.
Recent Developments
In recent years, the Vectis Formation has continued to be a hotbed of research activity. One of the most significant recent developments was the discovery of new spinosaurid fossils in the formation. These fossils have shed new light on the behavior and ecology of these enigmatic dinosaurs.
Other recent studies have focused on the formation’s sedimentology and taphonomy. These studies have revealed that the Vectis Formation was deposited in a variety of environments, including river channels, floodplains, and estuaries. They have also shed light on the processes that led to the preservation of the formation’s fossils.
Overall, the research and studies conducted on the Vectis Formation have greatly expanded our understanding of the formation’s geology, paleontology, and taphonomy.