Lameta

Lameta is a geological formation in central India named after the Lameta Ghat area near Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh. It represents late Cretaceous terrestrial sediments that lie between basalt flows of the Deccan Traps, forming part of the Deccan intertrappean sequence. Outcrops are most extensive in parts of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, with additional exposures in adjacent regions.

Lithologically, Lameta beds are composed of calcareous silty sandstones, mudstones, and clays, often containing calcareous nodules. The formation preserves fossiliferous deposits that record a variety of terrestrial and freshwater environments, including sediments that yield remains of vertebrates, invertebrates, and plants. The intertrappean context indicates episodic deposition between volcanic events.

Paleontologically, Lameta is notable for its dinosaur record, including numerous dinosaur remains and abundant fossilized eggs and nesting sites. The eggs and surrounding nests have contributed to the study of dinosaur reproduction and nesting behavior in the Indian subcontinent and provide important data on Late Cretaceous vertebrate paleobiogeography. The associated fauna also includes crocodilians and other reptiles, helping to illuminate the ecosystem structure of this region during that time.

Research and significance: Since its recognition, Lameta has been a key source of information on India’s Late Cretaceous vertebrate assemblages and on the broader paleoenvironments of the Deccan Plateau. The formation remains important for discussions of dinosaur evolution, distribution, and paleoclimatology in southern Asia.

See also: Deccan Traps, intertrappean beds.