Beaufort Series

Beaufort Series

      sedimentary rock layers that were deposited during the transition from the Permian Period to the Triassic Period. The boundary between the Lower and Upper Beaufort Series is recognized as the boundary between the Permian and Triassic systems, which occurred about 251 million years ago. The Beaufort Series reaches a maximum thickness of about 3,000 m (10,000 ft) and is further subdivided into six faunal zones, each of which is characterized by a particular and distinctive grouping of animals.

      The Beaufort Series is renowned for its rich and diverse reptilian fauna, characterized by an almost unparalleled assemblage of therapsids (therapsid) (mammal-like reptiles that would later give rise to mammals). Although some therapsid groups experienced reductions during the Triassic Period, faunal continuity is evident across the Permian-Triassic boundary. Close analysis indicates that there were critical shifts in faunal assemblages during this time. The gorgonopsian therapsids (therapsid) (specialized sabre-toothed carnivores) became extinct at the end of the Permian Period, and other specialized therapsids (therocephalians and dicynodonts [“two-tuskers”]) were reduced; however, more-generalized therapsids remained relatively abundant. Over time, the typical reptilian Mesozoic assemblages, characterized by thecodonts (“socket-toothed” reptiles) and other archosaurs (“ruling reptiles”), gradually became dominant.

      The Beaufort Series is part of the Karoo System, and it overlies strata of the Ecca Series and underlies rocks of the Stormberg Series. The Beaufort Series is especially well developed in South Africa, where it has been extensively studied. It is primarily composed of sandstones (sandstone) with shale and coal lenticles (lens-shaped strata, thinner at the edges).

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Beaufort Series — The Beaufort Series is a geological formation forming part of the Karoo System and is rich in synapsid or mammal like reptile fossils. The Karoo System comprises, from oldest to youngest, Dwyka, Ecca, Beaufort and Stormberg Series. The name is… …   Wikipedia

  • Beaufort, South Carolina — Infobox Settlement official name = Beaufort, South Carolina settlement type = City nickname = motto = imagesize = image caption = image mapsize = 250px map caption = Location of Beaufort, South Carolina mapsize1 = map caption1 = subdivision type …   Wikipedia

  • Beaufort scale, the — Beau|fort scale, the [ boufərt ,skeıl ] a series of numbers from 0 to 12 that are used to show how strongly the wind is blowing. 0 means that there is no wind and 12 means that there is a HURRICANE (=a violent storm) …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • Flame Beaufort — Infobox soap character name = Flame Beaufort series = Santa Barbara portrayer = Roberta Weiss first = Episode 1494June 29 1990 last = Episode 1774 August 12 1991 cause = creator = Charles Pratt Jr. Sheri Anderson caption1 = Roberta Weiss as Flame …   Wikipedia

  • Bristol Beaufort — was also a car produced by Bristol Cars in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Infobox Aircraft name= Type 152 Beaufort caption= type=Torpedo bomber manufacturer=Bristol Aeroplane Company designer= first flight= 15 October 1938 introduction=… …   Wikipedia

  • Lady Margaret Beaufort — at prayer. Born 31 May 1443(1443 05 31) Bletso Castle, Bedfordshire …   Wikipedia

  • Francis Beaufort — Rear Admiral Sir Francis Beaufort, FRS, FRGS (7 May 1774 ndash; 17 December 1857) was a hydrographer and officer in Britain s Royal Navy. Beaufort was the creator of the Beaufort scale for indicating wind force.BiographyFrancis Beaufort was… …   Wikipedia

  • University of South Carolina Beaufort — Infobox University name =University of South Carolina Beaufort native name = latin name = motto = established =1795; reestablished 1959 type =Public endowment = staff = faculty =109 president = provost = principal = rector = chancellor =Jane T.… …   Wikipedia

  • Henry Beaufort — Infobox Bishop name =Henry Beaufort religion =Catholic see =Diocese of Winchester bishop of = Bishop of Winchester enthroned = 1404 ended = 1447 predecessor = William of Wykeham successor =William Waynflete ordination = other post = Bishop of… …   Wikipedia

  • List of Bristol Beaufort operators — This page is a list of countries which used the Bristol Beaufort, along with their units:OperatorsAUS;Royal Australian Air Force [Buttler, Tony. Bristol Beaufort ] *No. 1 Squadron RAAF operated Beauforts between December 1943 and June 1945. *No.… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”