Talk:Green River Formation

20,000,000 layer valves
This is simply a mis-use on the definition of varve. If one layer is 0.5 mm thick, which is unlikely thin, then the "formation" would be 1 km thick. The Talk.Origin did not give a reference on this one. I think it does not exist. --Juvenis Sun 13:07, 20 December 2006 (EST)

In fact, there are many references for the number and thickness of varves in Green River sediments, of which here there are two:

Bradley, Wilmot H., 1929, "Varves and Climate of the Green River Epoch," in USGS Professional Paper 158, p. 87-110

J.T. Pietras and A.R. Carroll, 2006. High-Resolution Stratigraphy of an Underfilled Lake Basin: Wilkins Peak Member, Eocene Green River Formation, Wyoming, U.S.A. Journal of Sedimentary Research, 76(11): 1197 - 1214.

Also, fossilization of soft body parts in lacustrine sediments is better understood and studied than is suggested in the article. Here are two references:

P.A. Allison, The Role of Anoxia in the Decay and Mineralization of Proteinaceous Macro- Fossils. 1988. Paleobiology, 14(2), 139-154.

I.C. Harding, L.S. Chant, 2000. Self-sedimented diatom mats as agents of exceptional fossil preservation in the Oligocene Florissant lake beds, Colorado, United States. Geology, 28(3), 195-198.

nooijer