Winton-Formation

The Winton Formation is a formation in the Great Artesian Basin in Australia. This sequence Cretaceous sedimentary rocks is open from the northern to western central Queensland and further south in New South Wales and South Australia.

The Winton Formation is one of the largest formations of Australia. On Diamantina National Park, the formation is rather low powerful with about 400 meters, while the thickness at Thargomindah is nearly 1200 meters. Perforations was found that even thin layers of carbon are stored in the layers. The formation is mostly deeply weathered, resulting in the formation of laterite and Silcreten. In the areas which were subject to severe erosion, the opal fields are in western Queensland. Fossils are found in areas that are less severely eroded.

The sedimentary rocks of the formation stir mostly recycled ago by volcanic material. So volcanoes were active on the northeast coast of Queensland in the Cretaceous.

From the Winton Formation originate numerous remains of dinosaurs like sauropods and theropods; Finds close Australovenator, Diamantinasaurus and Wintonotitan with a. West of the city Eromanga the remains of crocodiles, fish, lung fish, turtles, insects and freshwater mussels were found.