Bajocien

Bajocien refers to a stage of the Middle Jurassic epoch. It is the second subdivision of the Bajocian-Bathonian sequence, which itself is a part of the Jurassic period. The Bajocien stage is named after the town of Bayeux in Normandy, France. This geological period is characterized by specific fossil assemblages and rock formations that allow geologists to date and correlate rock layers across different regions. Key index fossils found within Bajocien strata include ammonites, which are extinct marine mollusks with coiled shells. The Bajocien epoch is estimated to have occurred approximately 170.3 to 167.7 million years ago. During this time, the supercontinent Pangaea was beginning to break apart, and shallow seas covered much of Europe. The rocks deposited during the Bajocien are often rich in iron ore, particularly in areas like Lorraine. Understanding the Bajocien stage is crucial for paleogeographic reconstructions and for studying the evolution of life during the Jurassic period.