Luning Formation, Pilot Mountains is a fossil collection site in Nevada, cataloged in the Paleobiology Database. Fossils here come from the Luning Formation, dated to the Lacian (227.3–215.38 million years ago). The depositional environment is recorded as reef, buildup or bioherm and the tectonic setting is cratonic basin. Documented finds include Retiophyllia, Cinnabaria expansa, Ostrea, Pamiroseris rectilamellosa, Scleractinia, Astraeomorpha confusa.

Geologic setting

Formation: Luning
Geologic interval: Lacian
Age: 227.3–215.38 Ma
Depositional environment: reef, buildup or bioherm
Tectonic setting: cratonic basin
Recorded occurrences: 13

Geology notes

Setting: inner to middle ramp or deep lagoon

Locality notes

Mina 7.5" Quadrangle, T6N, R36E, Section 26, Near the town of Mina in the Pilot Mountains: Dunlop Canyon (SE1/4, SE1/4) and Cinnabar Canyon (NW1/4, SW1/4)

Fossils found here

Retiophyllia

Anthozoa · Reimaniphylliidae

Cinnabaria expansa

Demospongiae · Verticillitidae

Ostrea

Bivalvia · Ostreidae

Pamiroseris rectilamellosa

Anthozoa · Pamiroseriidae

Scleractinia

Anthozoa

Astraeomorpha confusa

Anthozoa · Astraeomorphidae

Nevadoseris punctata

Anthozoa · Coryphylliidae

Ceriostella martini

Anthozoa · Pamiroseriidae

Curtoseris

Anthozoa · Curtoseriidae

Crassistella juvavica

Anthozoa · Pamiroseriidae

Nevadathalamia cylindrica

Demospongiae · Verticillitidae

Stromatomorpha califormica

Demospongiae · Anthaspidellidae

Spongiomorpha

Hydrozoa · Spongiomorphidae

Records and references

Data: Paleobiology Database collection 33439 (CC BY 4.0) — view the source record

Getting there

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Questions about Luning Formation, Pilot Mountains

Can you collect at Luning Formation, Pilot Mountains?

It depends on who owns the land and whether a mining claim covers it. BLM land usually allows hand collecting for personal use, national parks allow none, and private land needs the owner’s permission. Pro members see the owner and any claims at this spot.

What minerals are found at Luning Formation, Pilot Mountains?

Fossil.

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What to bring

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Meteorite nearbyA 190 g stony meteorite was found at Coaldale in 2022, 28 miles from here.

Source: Paleobiology Database.