Localities of the Miocene:

The Monterey Formation of California

The Monterey Formation is a vast area of marine deposits rich in fossils. It covers both a large area of California and an extended period of time. Particularly exciting are the fossil whales and dolphins, as well as the large numbers of finely preserved crabs. The singlemost important find, however, is the collection of kelps and other large soft-bodied seaweeds, which are seldom found as fossils elsewhere.

Click on the pictures below to visit our fossil galleries.

Macroalgae Microfossils Invertebrates Vertebrates

Sources:
Kenneth L. Finger. 1992. Biostratigraphic atlas of Miocene Foraminifera from the Monterey and Modelo Formations, central and southern California. Cushman Foundation for Formainiferal Research Special Pub. 29.

R. E. Garrison & R. G. Douglas, (eds.) 1981. The Monterey Formation and related siliceous rocks of California. Society of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists, USA.

Robert M. Kleinpell. 1938. Miocene Stratigraphy of California. American Assoc. of Petrolium Geologists, Tulsa, USA.

B. C. Parker and E. Y. Dawson. 1965. Non-calcareous marine algae from California Miocene deposits. Nova Hedwigia 10:273-295. Plates 76-96.