Sainte-Barbe Clays Formation
| Sainte-Barbe Clays Formation | |
|---|---|
| Stratigraphic range: Barremian-early Aptian ~ | |
| Type | Geological formation |
| Underlies | Albian aged "Meules" |
| Overlies | Breccia, Pennsylvanian basement |
| Thickness | Variable, 50 m (160 ft) at Bernissart |
| Lithology | |
| Primary | Clay |
| Other | Lignite |
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 50°30′N 3°36′E / 50.5°N 3.6°E |
| Approximate paleocoordinates | 40°42′N 13°42′E / 40.7°N 13.7°E |
| Country | Belgium |
| Extent | Localised within the northern margins of the Mons Basin |
The Sainte-Barbe Clays Formation is a geological formation in Belgium. It is found in localised areas of the northern margin of the Mons Basin, alongside the equivalently aged Hautrage and Baudour Clay Formations. It is Upper Barremian-Lower Aptian in age. It predominantly consists of laminated clay, with some lignite. It is well known for the "Iguanodon sinkhole" locality near Bernissart where many specimens of Iguanodon bernissartensis were described by Louis Dollo in the late 19th century.