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Cutler Formation facts for kids

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Cutler Formation
Stratigraphic range:
Early Permian
Cutler near type.jpg
Cutler Formation near the type locality, Portland, Ouray County, Colorado
Type Geological formation
Sub-units De Chelly Sandstone,
White Rim Sandstone,
Organ Rock Shale,
Cedar Mesa Sandstone,
Elephant Canyon Formation,
Halgaito Shale
Underlies Chinle Formation
Lithology
Primary Iron-rich arkose sandstone
Location
Coordinates 38°05′46″N 107°42′07″W / 38.096°N 107.702°W / 38.096; -107.702
Approximate paleocoordinates 0°42′N 36°06′W / 0.7°N 36.1°W / 0.7; -36.1
Region Colorado Plateau
Country United States
Extent Arizona
Colorado
New Mexico
Utah
Type section
Named for Cutler Creek, north of Ouray, Co
Named by Cross & Howe
Year defined 1905

The Cutler Formation or Cutler Group is a rock unit that is spread across the U.S. states of Arizona, northwest New Mexico, southeast Utah and southwest Colorado. It was laid down in the Early Permian during the Wolfcampian stage. Its subunits, therefore, are variously called formations or members depending on the publication. Members (youngest to oldest):

Extent

There is no designated type locality for the Cutler. It was named by Cross and Howe in 1905 after Cutler Creek, which enters Uncompahgre River about 4 miles north of Ouray, Colorado. Baker and Reeside revised Cross and Howe's work in 1929 by dividing the formation into the Halgaito Tongue (base), Cedar Mesa Sandstone Member, Organ Rock Tongue, and White Rim Sandstone Member. Cutler's geographic extent was established by Wood and Northrop in 1946. In 1958 Wengerd and Matheny raised the formation to group rank.

  • Lisbon Valley Cutler Fm

    Cutler and Chinle formations in Lisbon Valley, San Juan County, Utah

  • Cedar Mesa Sandstone on top of Organ Rock Shale in Needles District of Canyonlands

    Cedar Mesa Sandstone overlaying Organ Rock Shale, Canyonlands, Utah

Geology

Cutler outcrops are found in these geologic locations in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah.

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Cutler Formation Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.