Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous Marine Fossils from Dampier Peninsula

Fossil specimens from a 1953 fire were documented using singed photographs. This collection substantiates earlier stratigraphic work on marine fossils from the Kimmeridgian, Tithonian, Neocomian, and Aptian stages in Western Australia. The data originates from publications by Brunnschweiler, Guppy, Fairbridge, and others, compiled by Geoscience Australia.

Use Cases

• Correlate fossil occurrences with stratigraphic formations mentioned in the referenced publications to refine regional geological timelines.
• Analyze the application of 'open nomenclature' for new forms where type material was lost to study taxonomic practices in historical paleontology.
• Map the geographic distribution of Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous marine fossils specifically within Dampier Land between Derby and Broome.

Strengths

• Documents fossils from four distinct geological stages: Kimmeridgian, Tithonian, Neocomian, and Aptian.
• Compiles findings from multiple authoritative publications and geological surveys, including work by West Australian Petroleum Pty Ltd (WAPET).
• Provides historical context on specimen loss and recovery from a 1953 fire, detailing the provenance of the photographic record.

Limitations

• Sample data and structured columns are unavailable, limiting quantitative or computational analysis.
• Primary fossil specimens were destroyed, forcing reliance on discolored and singed photographs for identification and illustration.
• Data compilation was largely completed before mid 1954, representing a historical snapshot that may not reflect contemporary findings.

Provenance

Source

Geoscience Australia Data

Collection Method

Compiled from published geological papers and surveys; illustrations created from surviving photographs after a 1953 fire.

Time Range

Upper Jurassic (Kimmeridgian, Tithonian) to Lower Cretaceous (Neocomian, Aptian)

Freshness

null

Geography

Dampier Peninsula (Dampier Land), between Derby and Broome, Western Australia, AU-WA