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Newly discovered Paleocene and Eocene rocks near Fairfield, California, and correlation with rocks in Vaca Valley and the so-called Martinez Formation or Stage

July 23, 2008

Discovery of a 3-foot thick sandstone bed with abundant Turritellid gastropods of late Paleocene age about 4 miles northeast of Fairfield and on the southwest flank of Cement Hill, Solano County provides an opportunity to reevaluate the relationships of lower Tertiary formations in this part of California. Cement Hill is named for travertine deposits in and on top of sandstone of Late Cretaceous age. In this report, the current study area where the Paleocene fossils were recently discovered is referred to as lower Cement Hill and is located in section 7 of the U.S. Geological Survey Fairfield North 7.5-minute quadrangle, Township 5 North, Range 1 West. Lower Cement Hill is about 23 miles north of the so-called Martinez 'formation' or stage area (Weaver and others, 1941) of late Paleocene age near Martinez. The Martinez 'formation' and stage have played a significant role in the development of early Tertiary stratigraphy in this part of California. The discovery of correlative rocks at Cement Hill was unsuspected and may be helpful in defining the extent of this so-called formation or stage.

Coccolith identification and correlations are by David Bukry, foraminifer identifications and correlations by Alvin Almgren and Kristin McDougall, gastropod identification and correlation by LouElla Saul, and Radiolaria identifications and correlations are by Annika Sanfilippo.

Publication Year 2008
Title Newly discovered Paleocene and Eocene rocks near Fairfield, California, and correlation with rocks in Vaca Valley and the so-called Martinez Formation or Stage
DOI 10.3133/ofr20081228
Authors Earl E. Brabb, Donn Ristau, David Bukry, Kristin McDougall, Alvin A. Almgren, LouElla Saul, Annika Sanfilippo
Publication Type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Series Title Open-File Report
Series Number 2008-1228
Index ID ofr20081228
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center; Western Earth Surface Processes
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