Lithostratigraphy of the Elliot Formation (Karoo Supergroup), South Africa

Abstract

The Late Triassic to Early Jurassic Elliot Formation is part of the Stormberg Group (Karoo Supergroup) of South Africa. The unit is significant palaeontlologically, because it preserves not only a range of vertebrate fossils, but also a plethora of ichnofossil and encompasses the boundary of Triassic and Jurassic in Southern Africa. The Formation is considered a stratigraphic equivalent of the Upper Omingonde Formation, Etjo Basin, Namibia, with the Bodibeng Sandstone Formation, Tuli Basin, Botswana, with the upper Mosolotsane Formation, Kalahari Karoo Basin. All Upper Triassic-Lower Jurassic continental red beds of South Africa, irrespective of their geographic locality relative to the main Karoo Basin are now termed Elliot Formation due to their very similar lithologic character and stratigraphic position.