The Tiaojishan Formation is a geological formation found in China. The spelling of "Tiaojishan" is pronounced as [tjaoʊdʒiʃɑːn]. The first part of the word is spelled with a "t" sound followed by the combination of letters "iao" which should be pronounced as a single syllable. The second part of the word is spelled with a "j" sound followed by "i" and "sha" sounds. Finally, the last part of the word is pronounced with an "ahn" sound. The Tiaojishan Formation is known for its diverse fossil record of plants and animals from the Jurassic period.
The Tiaojishan Formation is a geological unit that is highly significant to the field of paleontology. It is a rock formation found in northeastern China, specifically in the Jiufotang Formation, which is part of the Yixian Basin. The Tiaojishan Formation is known for its exceptional fossil preservation, particularly of Early Cretaceous (around 125 million years ago) flora and fauna.
This formation consists of a variety of sedimentary rocks, including mudstones, siltstones, and sandstones. It gets its name from the Tiaojishan Mountain, which is located in the region where the formation was first discovered. The sedimentary rocks of the Tiaojishan Formation were likely deposited in a lacustrine environment, composed of ancient lakes and freshwater bodies.
The Tiaojishan Formation is renowned for preserving numerous important fossils, including early birds, dinosaurs, mammals, insects, fish, plants, and more. Some of the most significant dinosaur fossils found in this formation include feathered dinosaurs like Microraptor and Sinornithosaurus, which contributed to insights on the evolutionary link between birds and dinosaurs. The Tiaojishan Formation is also renowned for its fossilized insects, which provide valuable information about the early evolution and diversity of this group.
Due to its exceptional fossil record and scientific significance, the Tiaojishan Formation has played a crucial role in advancing our understanding of the Early Cretaceous ecosystems and the evolutionary history of various organisms during that period.
The term "Tiaojishan Formation" has its roots in Chinese geology and paleontology. The term is derived from two main components:
1. "Tiaojishan": Tiaojishan is a transliteration of the Chinese characters 调基山, which literally means "slope base mountain". It refers to an area in western Liaoning Province, China, where the rock formations from the early Late Jurassic period (approximately 160 million years ago) were extensively studied.
2. "Formation": In geological terms, a "formation" refers to a distinct rock unit or series of strata that share similar lithology (rock type), age, and sedimentary characteristics. The term "Formation" is commonly used to classify and identify different layers of rocks in a specific region or geological time period.