Manda Formation
| Manda Formation | |
|---|---|
| Stratigraphic range: | |
Map of the outcropping Manda Formation | |
| Type | Geological formation |
| Unit of | Songea Group |
| Sub-units | Kingori Sandstone Member, Lifua Member |
| Underlies | None |
| Overlies | Usili Formation |
| Lithology | |
| Primary | Sandstone |
| Other | Mudstone, siltstone, marl |
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 10°18′S 35°12′E / 10.3°S 35.2°E |
| Approximate paleocoordinates | 53°42′S 23°00′E / 53.7°S 23.0°E |
| Region | Iringa & Ruvuma Regions |
| Country | Tanzania |
| Extent | Ruhuhu Basin |
The Manda Formation (also known as the Manda Beds) is a Middle Triassic (Anisian?) or possibly Late Triassic (Carnian?) geologic formation in Tanzania. It preserves fossils of many terrestrial vertebrates from the Triassic, including some of the earliest dinosauromorph archosaurs. The formation is often considered to be Anisian in age according to general tetrapod biochronology hypotheses and correlations to the Cynognathus Assemblage Zone of South Africa. However, some recent studies cast doubt to this age, suggesting that parts deposits may actually be younger (Carnian) in age.