Fur Formation

The Fur Formation is a unit of diatomitic sediment approximately 60 meters thick consisting of diatoms and clay minerals with up to 180 layers of volcanic ash.Pedersen, G.K. & Surlyk, F. 1983: The Fur Formation, a late Paleocene ash-bearing diatomite from northern Denmark. Bulletin Geological Society of Denmark, 32, 43-65. In Danish literature the formation has informally been referred to as the moler (Ler means clay). The diatomite comprises 2/3 opal tests of diatoms and 1/3 clay, interbedded with layers of volcanic ash and a few limestone horizons ('cementstones'), and has exceptionally complete fossil preservation.

It is known for its abundant fossil fish, insects, reptiles, birds and plants. The Fur Formation was deposited just above the Palaeocene-Eocene boundary, about 55 million years ago, and its tropical or sub-tropical flora indicate that the climate after the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum was moderately warm (approximately 4-8 degrees warmer than today).

Glacial activity has moved and folded all exposed moler in a complicated pattern which permits very precise mapping of glacial movement at the end of the last ice age, and has, due to the ash layers, created an extraordinary pedagogical case for studying tectonics.

The Fur Formation is divided into two members:

The lower Knudeklint Member was named for a location on the island of Fur. The upper Silstrup Member was named for a location in Thy. The stratigraphy exposed at Knudeklint constitutes the unit that containing the Paleocene/Eocene boundary informally named Stolleklint Clay, which grades up into the Fur Formation.

Fossils of great diversity and unique preservation (only 10 my. after the 'great extinction' of dinosaurs, ammonites etc.) Most unusual, if not unique, diversity of life from both ocean and land with extremely good preservation of details rarely seen, therefore very reliable reconstruction of palaeobiology. By far most of the "Danekræ" fossils (fossils that are considered of national importance and covered by a special law) since 1990 have been found in the Mo-clay area.Bonde, N., Andersen, S., Hals, N., and Jakobsen, S.T. (2008). Danekræ - Danmarks bedste fossiler. Copenhagen: Gyldendal. 224 pp.

The earliest Paleogene fauna of any diversity, over 30 species, including some near complete, some preserved in 3-D, and some excellent bird-fossils (even with feathers and chromatine). Most are earliest known representatives of their orders (e.g. Trogons, Swifts, Ibises) and all are terrestrial birds.DYKE, G. J., WATERHOUSE, D. M. & KRISTOFFERSEN, A. V. 2004: Three new fossil landbirds from the early Paleogene of Denmark. Bulletin of the Geological Society of Denmark, 51, 47–56.KRISTOFFERSEN, A. V. 2002b. An Early Paleogene trogon (Aves: Trogoniformes) from the Fur Formation, Denmark. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 22, 661–666.Pedersen, G. K., Pedersen, S. A. S., Bonde, N., Heilmann-Clausen, C., Larsen, L. M., Lindow, B., Madsen, H., Pedersen, A. K., Rust, J., Schultz, B. P., Storey, M. og Willumsen, P. S. 2012: Molerområdets geologi – sedimenter, fossiler, askelag og glacialtektonik. Geologisk Tidsskrift 2011, pp. 41–135, [http://2dgf.dk/xpdf/gt2011-41-135.pdf]

• †LithornithiformesLEONARD, L., DYKE, G. J., & TUINEN, M. V. 2005. A new specimen of the fossil palaeognath Lithornis from the Lower Eocene of Denmark. American Museum of Natural History, New York. Number 3491, 11 pp.
• GalliformesLINDOW, B.,& DYKE, G. J. 2007. A small galliform bird from the Lower Eocene Fur Formation. Bulletin of the Geological Society of Denmark, vol. 55, 59-63.; LINDOW s 56-63

• Gruiformes

:* Rallidae

:* †Messelornithidae{{cite journal | doi=10.1080/14772019.2010.538730 | title=A new Messel rail from the Early Eocene Fur Formation of Denmark (Aves, Messelornithidae) | year=2011 | last1=Bertelli | first1=Sara | last2=Chiappe | first2=Luis M. | last3=Mayr | first3=Gerald | journal=Journal of Systematic Palaeontology | volume=9 | issue=4 | pages=551–562 | s2cid=84880556 }}

• Apodiformes (Swifts)
• CharadriiformesBERTELLI, S., LINDOW, B., DYKE, G. J., & CHIAPPE, L. M. 2010. A well-preserved 'Charadriiform-like' fossil bird from the early Eocene Fur Formation of Denmark. Palaeontology, Vol. 53, part 3, 507-531.;LINDOW s 76-117
• PsittaciformesWATERHOUSE, D. M., LINDOW, B., ZELENKOV, N. V., & DYKE, G. J. 2008. Two new parrots (Psittaciformes) From the Lower Eocene Fur Formation of Denmark. Palaeontology, Vol. 51, Part 3, 575-582.

• Musophagiformes
• ColiiformesDYKE, G.J., WATERHOUSE, D. M., & KRISTOFFERSEN, A.V. 2004. Three new fossil landbirds from the early Paleogene of Denmark, Bulletin of the Geological Society of Denmark. Vol. 51, 77-85. Copenhagen.
• Strigiformes
• Caprimulgiformes
• Coraciiformes
• Trogoniformes

:* Primoscenidae

:* Trogonidae

::*†Septentrogon madseni

File:Septencoracias morsensis block.jpg|Septencoracias morsensis

File:Bird_skeleton_December_019.jpg| Bird skeleton at Fur Museum

File:Charadriiformes-fossil.JPG|Bird (Charadriiformes)

File:Bird-head.jpg|Bird head with preserved feathers

Several fossil sea turtles are known from the Fur Formation. In one of them, a large leatherback turtle (Eosphargis breineri)NIELSEN, E. 1963. On the postcranial skeleton of Eosphargis breineri Nielsen. Meddelelser fra Dansk Geologisk Forening, 15, 281–328 remains of soft tissue and skin pigmentation have been recovered{{cite journal | doi=10.1038/nature12899 | title=Skin pigmentation provides evidence of convergent melanism in extinct marine reptiles | year=2014 | last1=Lindgren | first1=Johan | last2=Sjövall | first2=Peter | last3=Carney | first3=Ryan M. | last4=Uvdal | first4=Per | last5=Gren | first5=Johan A. | last6=Dyke | first6=Gareth | last7=Schultz | first7=Bo Pagh | last8=Shawkey | first8=Matthew D. | last9=Barnes | first9=Kenneth R. | last10=Polcyn | first10=Michael J. | journal=Nature | volume=506 | issue=7489 | pages=484–488 | pmid=24402224 | bibcode=2014Natur.506..484L | s2cid=4468035 }} A number of well-preserved turtle specimens have been recovered from the formation, two of which have been recognized to be a completely new species of the genus Tasbacka.Karl, H.-V. & Madsen, H. (2012): Tasbacka danica n. sp., A new Eocene marine turtle of Denmark (Testudines: Chelonioidea).- Studia Palaeocheloniologica 4: 193-204

Sea snakes are also known from the formation.HOCH, E. 1975. Amniote remnants from the eastern part of the Lower Eocene North Sea Basin. Colloque International du Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris, 218, 543–562.Kristensen, H.V., Cuny, G., Rasmussen, A.R., ang Madsen, H., 2012: Earliest record of the fossil snake Palaeophis from the Paleocene/Eocene boundary in Denmark. Bull. Soc. géol. France, 2012, t. 183, no 6, p. 623-627

File:Eosphargis.jpg|Leatherback turtle Eosphargis breineri skull cast, at Geological Museum in Copenhagen.

File:Tasbacka danica.JPG|Sea turtle Tasbacka danica Complete unique fossil baby sea turtle. Length 10.5 cm

File:Snake-Fur_Museum2162.JPG|Sea snake Palaeophis sp. in Early Eocene Stolleklint Clay

Pan-Cheloniidae from the Fur Formation.webp|alt=Unnamed sea turtle, pan-Cheloniidae sp., (specimen DK 807, collected in 2013)[18]|pan-Cheloniidae sp. (specimen DK 807, collected in 2013){{Cite journal |last1=De La Garza |first1=R. G. |last2=Madsen |first2=H. |last3=Sjövall |first3=P. |last4=Osbӕck |first4=F. |last5=Zheng |first5=W. |last6=Jarenmark |first6=M. |last7=Schweitzer |first7=M. H. |last8=Engdahl |first8=A. |last9=Uvdal |first9=P. |last10=Eriksson |first10=M. E. |last11=Lindgren |first11=J. |year=2022 |title=An ancestral hard-shelled sea turtle with a mosaic of soft skin and scutes |journal=Scientific Reports |volume=12 |issue=1 |at=22655 |bibcode=2022NatSR..1222655D |doi=10.1038/s41598-022-26941-1 |pmc=9805447 |pmid=36587051 |doi-access=free}}

• Palaeophis (Sea snake)
• Eosphargis brenieri (Leatherback turtle)
• Cheloniidae and pan-Cheloniidae

:* †PuppigerusNielsen, E., 1959: Eocene Turtles from Denmark, Dansk Geologisk Forening, BD. 14, Hefte 2. p. 96-115 | http://2dgf.dk/xpdf/bull-1959-14-2-96-114.pdf

• Glarichelys{{cite web |url=http://geologi.snm.ku.dk/samlinger/danekrae/information/danekraeliste/side_12/ |title=Danekræ side 12 – Københavns Universitet |website=geologi.snm.ku.dk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001185009/http://geologi.snm.ku.dk/samlinger/danekrae/information/danekraeliste/side_12/ |archive-date=2015-10-01}}
• Tasbacka

Large teleostean fauna, oceanic, possibly including earliest truly deepwater fish, a 'whale-fish'; earliest members of many living families and Tertiary diversity preserved as complete skeletons; some rare and sensational large and complete specimens (two 'bonytongues', one tarpon).BONDE, N. 1997: [https://geo.au.dk/fileadmin/www.geo.au.dk/02_Forskning/Publikationer/Aarhus_Geoscience/vol_6/Pages_from_AARHUS_GEOSCIENCE_VOL._6_1997-2.pdf A distinct fish fauna in the basal ashseries of the Fur/Ølst Formation (U. Paleocene, Denmark).] Aarhus Geoscience, 6, 33–48.

The following taxa are known:

Image:Argentinoid.jpg|Surlykus longigracilis{{Cite journal |last=Schrøder |first=Anne Elise |date=2023 |title=The argentiniform Surlykus longigracilis gen. et sp. nov., the most abundant fish from the Eocene Fur Formation of Denmark |url=https://2dgf.dk/xpdf/bull72-1-18.pdf |journal=Bulletin of the Geological Society of Denmark |volume=72 |page=18}} - The most common species of fish in the Fur Formation.

Image:Antigonia.jpg|Antigonia- Small Eocene fish from the Fur Formation, Denmark.

Image:Polymixiid.JPG|Polyspinatus{{Cite journal |last=Schrøder |first=Ane Elise |last2=Rasmussen |first2=Jan Audun |last3=Møller |first3=Peter Rask |last4=Carnevale |first4=Giorgio |date=2022-08-31 |title=A new beardfish (Teleostei, Polymixiiformes) from the Eocene Fur Formation, Denmark |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02724634.2022.2142914 |journal=Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology |language=en |volume=42 |issue=2 |doi=10.1080/02724634.2022.2142914 |issn=0272-4634}} - Early Eocene beardfish from the Fur Formation, Denmark.

Image:Havaborre.jpg|Unidentified fish from the Fur Formation at Fur Museum, Denmark

File:Palaeocentrotus.jpg|Palaeocentrotus

Huge fauna from land, over 200 species, many are oldest of their families; many with colour spots and eye lenses, some extraordinary preservation with stridulation (sound) apparatus in grasshoppers, and apparently migratory moth mass mortality.ARCHIBALD, S. B. &MARKARKIN, V. N. 2006: Tertiary Giant Lacewings (Neuroptera: Polystoechotidae): Revision and description of new taxa from Western North America and Denmark. Journal of Systematic Palaeontology, 4, 119–155.LARSSON, S.G., 1975: Palaeobiology and mode of burial of the insects of the Lower Eocene Mo-clay of Denmark. Bulletin of the Geological Society of Denmark, vol. 24 p. 193-209. [http://2dgf.dk/xpdf/bull24-03-04-193-209.pdf]{{cite journal |last1=Szwedo |first1=J. |year=2008 |title=A new tribe of Dictyopharidae planthoppers from Eocene Baltic amber (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Fulgoroidea), with a brief review of the fossil record of the family |journal=Palaeodiversity |volume=1 |pages=75–85}}

Species described include:

• Cimbrochrysa moleriensis - a green lacewing{{Cite journal|last1=Makarkin |first1=V. N. |last2=Perkovsky |first2=E. E. |year=2024 |title=Nothochrysinae (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) from the early Eocene Fur Formation, Denmark, with description of a new genus |journal=Zootaxa |volume=5433 |issue=3 |pages=529–545 |doi=10.11646/zootaxa.5433.4.3 }}
• Cimbrophlebia bittaciformis - a Cimbrophlebiid scorpionfly
• Danochrysa madseni - a green lacewing
• Forficula paleocaenica - a forficulid earwig
• Furochrysa alisa - a green lacewing
• Limfjordia breineri - a dictyopharid plant hopper
• Rhantus villumi - a water beetle{{Cite journal|last1=Prokin |first1=A. A. |last2=Hájek |first2=J. |last3=Vasilenko |first3=D. V. |last4=Perkovsky |first4=E. E. |year=2024 |title=The oldest Rhantus (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae) from the earliest Eocene Fur Formation, Denmark |journal=Zootaxa |volume=5458 |issue=2 |pages=263–274 |doi=10.11646/zootaxa.5458.2.5 }}
• Stephenbrooksia multifurcata - a green lacewing
• Ypresiomyrma rebekkae - a bull dog ant

File:Forficula paleocaenica Fur Formation.jpg|Forficula paleocaenica earwig

Image:Cimbrophlebia bittaciformis Fur Formation.jpg|Cimbrophlebia bittaciformis (Mecoptera) Fur Museum, Denmark

File:Fossil_Hemiptera.JPG| Hemiptera (Pentatomidae)

File:Parasitic-wasp.JPG|Parasitic wasp

File:Ypresiomyrma rebekkae holotype.jpg|Ypresiomyrma rebekkae holotype, in Stolleklint Clay

File:FUM-3-diptera.jpg|Mosquito (diptera)

File:FUM-4-diptera.JPG|Mosquito (diptera)

File:FUM-5-Neuroptera.jpg|Lacewing (Neuroptera)

File:Lacewing - Palaeopsychops latifasciatus.jpg|Lacewing Palaeopsychops latifasciatus

Extraordinary cirripeds (barnacles), and the only fossil shrimps from Denmark.GARASSINO, A. & JAKOBSEN, S. L. 2005: Morscrangon acutus n. gen. n. sp. (Crustacea, Decapoda, Caridea) from the Fur Formation (Early Eocene) of the Islands of Mors and Fur (Denmark). Atti Societa italiana

di Scienze naturali, Museo civico di Storia nataturale, Milano, 146, 95–107.

File:DK49_Reje.jpg|Shrimp Penaeus hamleti, Stolleklint Clay

File:Fossil_crab.jpg|Crab Portofuria enigmatica, Stolleklint Clay

File:Schrimp-Fur_Museum2060.JPG|Shrimp Morscrangon acutus

• Gari sp.
• Mytilus sp.
• Nucula sp.

File:Musseel.jpg|Mussel at Geological Museum in Copenhagen

Some members of the 'Arcto-Tertiary flora'; some with cuticle preservation and some flowers preserved. Large silicified trunks (up to 9 m) of redwood, and some very soft wood preserved. Some trunks with mussels and barnacles attached. Many seeds and fruits.Sakala, J., & Gryc, V., 2011: A new species of Rhysocaryoxylon (Juglandaceae) from the Lower Eocene Fur Formation of Mors island (northwest Jutland, Denmark). Bulletin of the Geological Society of Denmark, Vol. 59, p 45–49

File:Leaf_from_ash.jpg|Undidentified leaf

File:Fossil_Leaf.JPG|Unidentified leaf

file:DK502.jpg|Jenkinsella sp. seeds

File:Flower-Fur_Museum1687.JPG|unidentified flower.

Great diversity of unicellular, marine algae with siliceous (opal) tests, 130 species.HOMANN, M. 1991. Die Diatomeen der Fur Formation. Geologisches Jahrbuch, A 123, 1–285.

More than 200 layers of volcanic ash of predominantly basaltic composition have been found within the Mo-clay of the Fur Formation. 179 of the most prominent ash layers have been numbered. Comparison with volcanic ash layers in oil wells in the North Sea indicates that the Mo-clay is coeval with the Sele Formation and Balder Formation in the North Sea.{{cite journal | author = Pedersen, S.A.S | year = 2008 | title = Paleogene diatomite deposits in Denmark: geological investigations and applied aspects | journal = Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland Bulletin| volume = 15 | pages = 21–24| doi = 10.34194/geusb.v15.5034 | url = http://www.geus.dk/publications/bull/nr15/nr15_p21-24.pdf| doi-access = free }} The ash layers have also been found at other sites in Denmark, England, Austria and the Bay of Biscay.

The total eruption volume of this series have been calculated as 21,000 km³, which occurred in 600,000 years. The most powerful single eruption of this series took place 54.0 million years ago (Ma) and ejected ca. 1,200 km³ of ash material, which makes it one of the largest basaltic pyroclastic eruptions in geological history.

Egger, H. and Brückl, E., 2006: Gigantic volcanic eruptions and climatic change in the early Eocene - International Journal of Earth Sciences, Volume 95, Number 6, 1065-1070.

Image:Fur geological layers.jpg|Image showing the distinct geological layers.

Image:Fur layers 2.jpg|An inland location.

Image:Fur cliffs.jpg|These cliffs of Fur have been a rich source of fossils.

image:Moclay_Fur_Island_2010-08-06_2.JPG|Mo-clay with layers of volcanic ash

• List of fossiliferous stratigraphic units in Denmark

{{reflist|24em}}

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Category:Fur Formation

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