Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 18, 2026

Bhuj Formation

The Bhuj Formation is a Cretaceous geologic formation in India. Fossil sauropod tracks and tracks from the ichnogenera Skolithos, Diplocraterion, Pholeus and Planolites have been reported from the formation.

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Jul 18, 2026
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Bhuj Formation
Stratigraphic range:
TypeGeological formation
Sub-unitsUmia, Ghuneri & Ukra members
UnderliesN/A
OverliesKatrol Formation
Lithology
PrimarySandstone
Location
Coordinates23°42′N 69°00′E / 23.7°N 69.0°E / 23.7; 69.0
Approximate paleocoordinates30°18′S 33°48′E / 30.3°S 33.8°E / -30.3; 33.8
RegionGujarat, Kutch
CountryIndia
Bhuj Formation (India)

The Bhuj Formation is a Cretaceous (Valanginian to Santonian)1 geologic formation in India. Fossil sauropod tracks and tracks from the ichnogenera Skolithos, Diplocraterion, Pholeus and Planolites have been reported from the formation.2

Geology

See 1819 Rann of Kutch earthquake.

Paleobiota

Color key
Taxon Reclassified taxon Taxon falsely reported as present Dubious taxon or junior synonym Ichnotaxon Ootaxon Morphotaxon
Notes
Uncertain or tentative taxa are in small text; crossed out taxa are discredited.

Sauropterygia

Sauropterygians from the Bhuj Formation
Genus Species Material Time period Notes Images
Simolestes3 S. indicus Symphysis of the mandible, about 3.55 inches long Late Jurassic Originally referred to as Plesiosaurus indicus.4 Might not belong to Simolestes.5

Mollusca

Molluscas from the Bhuj Formation
Genus Species Material Notes
Umiaites sp.
Virgatosphinctes sp.
Aulacosphinctes sp
Tropaeum T. australis
Opisthotrigonia O. retrorsa
Indotrigonia I. beyschlagi
Pterotrigonia P. umiensis
P. kitchinin
P. ventricosa
P. ghuneriensis
P. sp.
Gervillella G. anceps
Megatrigonia sp.
Cheloniceras C. martini
Astarte A. major
Aulacosphinctes sp.
Micracanthoceras sp.
Tithopeltoceras T. lakhaparensis
Opisthotrigonia O. retrorsa
Megacucullaea M. eminens
Pleurotomaria P. umiensis
Bathrotomaria B. brihattama
Chlamys C. moondanensis
Gryphaea sp.
Lithophaga sp.
Opisthotrigonia O. spissicostata
Iotrigonia I. vscripta
I. recurva
Steinmanella S. mamillata
Astarte? A. venkatappayyi
Deshayesites D. deshayesi
Laevitrigonia L. cardiniiformis
See also

See also

References

References

  1. Lohani, Nidhi; Mukherjee, Soumyajit; Singh, Seema; Pawar, Aashu; Shaikh, Mohamedharoon (2023), Mukherjee, Soumyajit (ed.), "Structural Geological Field Guide: Bhuj Area (Gujarat, India)", Structural Geology and Tectonics Field Guidebook—Volume 2, Cham: Springer International Publishing, pp. 227–250, doi:10.1007/978-3-031-19576-1_7, ISBN 978-3-031-19576-1, retrieved 2026-04-02{{citation}}: CS1 maint: work parameter with ISBN (link)
  2. Weishampel, et al. (2004). "Dinosaur distribution." Pp. 517-607.
  3. BARDET, N; MAZIN, J.-M.; CARIOU, E.; ENAY, R.; KRISHNA, J. (1991). "Les Plesiosauria du Jurassique supérieur de la province de Kachchh (Inde)". Les Plesiosauria du Jurassique supérieur de la province de Kachchh (Inde). 313 (11): 1343–1347. ISSN 0764-4450.
  4. Lydekker, Richard (1877), English: Notices of New and Other Vertebrata From Indian Tertiary and Secondary Rocks, retrieved 2024-02-27
  5. Noè, L. F. (2001). A taxonomic and functional study of the Callovian (Middle Jurassic) Pliosauroidea (Reptilia, Sauropterygia). Chicago

Bibliography