Fur Formation

The Fur Formation is a marine geological formation of Ypresian (Lower Eocene Epoch, c. 56.0-54.5 Ma) age which crops out in the Limfjord region of Denmark from Silstrup via Mors and Fur to Ertebølle, and can be seen in many cliffs and quarries in the area. The Diatomite Cliffs (moler in Danish) is on the Danish list of tentative candidates for World Heritage and may become a world Heritage site.Bird fossil with preserved feathers from Fur, at the Geological Museum, CopenhagenBird skeleton at Fur Museum, DenmarkBird (Charadriiformes) from the Fur Formation, Denmark.Bird head with preserved feathers from the Fur Formation, DenmarkLeatherback turtle Eosphargis breineri skull cast, at Geological Museum in Copenhagen.Sea turtle Tasbacka danica Complete unique fossil baby sea turtle. Length 10.5 cmSea snake Palaeophis sp. in Early Eocene Stolleklint Clay, Fur FormationThe most common species of fish in the Fur Formation.Antigonia - Small Eocene fish from the Fur Formation, Denmark.Polymixiid - Early Eocene fish from the Fur Formation, Denmark.Unidentified Fish from the Fur Formation at Fur Museum, DenmarkPalaeocentrotusEarwigUnidentified Scorpion fly (Mecoptera) Early Eocene Fur Formation at Fur Museum, DenmarkHemiptera (Pentatomidae)Parasitic waspYpresiomyrma rebekkae holotype, in Stolleklint Clay, Early Eocene Fur FormationMosquito (diptera)Mosquito (diptera)Lacewing (Neuroptera)Shrimp Penaeus hamleti in Early Eocene Stolleklint Clay, Fur Formation.Crab Portofuria enigmatica in Early Eocene Stolleklint Clay, Fur FormationShrimp Morscrangon acutusMussel at Geological Museum in CopenhagenLeaf from Ash? Early Eocene Fur Formation, Denmark.Leaf from Early Eocene Fur Formation, DenmarkSeeds of the Katsura tree Jenkinsella sp.Fossilised flower. Early Eocene Fur Formation, Denmark.Image showing the distinct geological layers.An inland location.These cliffs of Fur have been a rich source of fossils.MoClay with layers of volcanic ash The Fur Formation is a marine geological formation of Ypresian (Lower Eocene Epoch, c. 56.0-54.5 Ma) age which crops out in the Limfjord region of Denmark from Silstrup via Mors and Fur to Ertebølle, and can be seen in many cliffs and quarries in the area. The Diatomite Cliffs (moler in Danish) is on the Danish list of tentative candidates for World Heritage and may become a world Heritage site. The Fur Formation is a unit of diatomitic sediment approximately 60 meters thick consisting of diatoms and clay minerals with up to 180 layers of volcanic ash. In Danish literature the formation has informally been referred to as the moler (Ler means clay). The diatomite comprises 2/3 opal tests of diatoms and 1/3 clay, interbedded with layers of volcanic ash and a few limestone horizons (‘cementstones’), and has exceptionally complete fossil preservation. It is known for its abundant fossil fish, insects, reptiles, birds and plants. The Fur Formation was deposited just above the Palaeocene-Eocene boundary, about 55 million years ago, and its tropical or sub-tropical flora indicate that the climate after the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum was moderately warm (approximately 4-8 degrees warmer than today). Glacial activity has moved and folded all exposed moler in a complicated pattern which permits very precise mapping of glacial movement at the end of the last ice age, and has, due to the ash layers, created an extraordinary pedagogical case for studying tectonics. The Fur Formation is divided into two members: The lower Knudeklint Member was named for a location on the island of Fur. The upper Silstrup Member was named for a location in Thy. The stratigraphy exposed at Knudeklint constitutes the unit that containing the Paleocene/Eocene boundary informally named Stolleklint Clay, which grades up into the Fur Formation. Fossils of great diversity and unique preservation (only 10 my. after the ‘great extinction’ of dinosaurs, ammonites etc.) Most unusual, if not unique, diversity of life from both ocean and land with extremely good preservation of details rarely seen, therefore very reliable reconstruction of palaeobiology. By far most of the important ‘Danekræ’ fossils since 1990 have been found in the ‘Mo-clay area’. The earliest Paleogene fauna of any diversity, over 30 species, including some near complete, some preserved in 3-D, and some excellent bird-fossils (even with feathers and chromatine). Most are earliest known representatives of their orders (e.g. Trogons, Swifts, Ibises) and all are terrestrial birds. Several fossil sea turtles are known from the Fur Formation. In one of them, a large leatherback turtle (Eosphargis breineri) remains of soft tissue and skin pigmentation have been recovered A number of well-preserved turtle specimens have been recovered from the Fur Formation, two of which have been recognized to be a completely new species of the genus Tasbacka Sea snakes are also known from the Fur Formation.