Florida's Geologic History and Formations
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Florida has unique origins. What would become the basement rocks of Florida were once part of other continents. During the early part of the Cenozoic Era, Florida was submerged under a warm, shallow, ocean which explains why our entire state has hundreds to thousands of feet of limestone beneath it! Land emerged from the ocean as sea level fell during the Oligocene Epoch. During the later part of the Cenozoic Era, quartz sand and clays were transported to Florida, via rivers and marine currents, from the Appalachian Mountain belt as it eroded over millions of years.
Florida geologic strata are divided into formations. Formations are the basic rock units used in stratigraphy, the branch of geology that deals with the layers of sedimentary rock that have accumulated over geologic time. The following are select formations that can be found in the state. Visit our page about Florida's Rocks and Minerals for more information about individual components, or take a visual tour of Florida’s tectonic and depositional history through geologic time long before the Atlantic Ocean existed with our ESRI Story Map of Florida's Geologic History.
| Formation | Photo | Composition | Extent |
|---|---|---|---|
Alum Bluff Group Miocene & Pliocene | [[{"fid":"7070","view_mode":"teaser","fields":{"format":"teaser","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Alum Bluff Group Undiff at Alum Bluff, Liberty County","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Alum Bluff Group Undiff at Alum Bluff, Liberty County"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"teaser","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Alum Bluff Group Undiff at Alum Bluff, Liberty County","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Alum Bluff Group Undiff at Alum Bluff, Liberty County"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"Alum Bluff Group Undiff at Alum Bluff, Liberty County","title":"Alum Bluff Group Undiff at Alum Bluff, Liberty County","height":240,"width":360,"style":"width: 270px; height: 180px;","class":"media-element file-teaser","data-delta":"1"}}]]View More Photos | Clays, sands, and shell beds; characterized by molluscan fauna | Panhandle |
Anastasia Formation late Pleistocene | [[{"fid":"7072","view_mode":"teaser","fields":{"format":"teaser","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Anastasia Fmn at Merritt Island_Brevard County","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Anastasia Fmn at Merritt Island_Brevard County"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"2":{"format":"teaser","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Anastasia Fmn at Merritt Island_Brevard County","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Anastasia Fmn at Merritt Island_Brevard County"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"Anastasia Fmn at Merritt Island_Brevard County","title":"Anastasia Fmn at Merritt Island_Brevard County","height":240,"width":360,"style":"width: 270px; height: 180px;","class":"media-element file-teaser","data-delta":"2"}}]]View More Photos | Coquinoid limestone (coquina) and unconsolidated shelly sand | Eastern Florida Coast
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Arcadia Formation (Hawthorn Group) late Oligocene to early Miocene | [[{"fid":"7075","view_mode":"teaser","fields":{"format":"teaser","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Arcadia Formation in Core, Polk County","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Arcadia Formation in Core, Polk County"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"teaser","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Arcadia Formation in Core, Polk County","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Arcadia Formation in Core, Polk County"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"Arcadia Formation in Core, Polk County","title":"Arcadia Formation in Core, Polk County","height":240,"width":360,"style":"width: 270px; height: 180px;","class":"media-element file-teaser","data-delta":"1"}}]]View More Photos | Dolomite, limestone, and quartz sands; characterized by high percentage of phosphate | Central Peninsular Florida |
Avon Park Formation middle Eocene | [[{"fid":"7076","view_mode":"teaser","fields":{"format":"teaser","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Avon Park Formation with Echinoid Cast, Citrus County","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Avon Park Formation with Echinoid Cast, Citrus County"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"teaser","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Avon Park Formation with Echinoid Cast, Citrus County","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Avon Park Formation with Echinoid Cast, Citrus County"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"Avon Park Formation with Echinoid Cast, Citrus County","title":"Avon Park Formation with Echinoid Cast, Citrus County","height":240,"width":360,"style":"width: 270px; height: 180px;","class":"media-element file-teaser","data-delta":"1"}}]]View More Photos | Limestone and dolostone with gypsum infill | Peninsular Florida
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Bridgeboro Limestone early Oligocene | [[{"fid":"24140","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"bridgeboro limestone formation","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Bridgeboro Limestone"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"3":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"bridgeboro limestone formation","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Bridgeboro Limestone"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"bridgeboro limestone formation","title":"Bridgeboro Limestone","height":313,"width":450,"style":"height: 180px; width: 259px;","class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"3"}}]]View More Photos | Fossiliferous limestone containing rhodoliths (coralline red algae) | Panhandle along the western flank of the Gulf Trough
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Caloosahatchee formation early Pleistocene | [[{"fid":"7078","view_mode":"teaser","fields":{"format":"teaser","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Caloosahatchee Formation on Caloosahatchee River, Hendry County","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Caloosahatchee Formation on Caloosahatchee River, Hendry County"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"teaser","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Caloosahatchee Formation on Caloosahatchee River, Hendry County","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Caloosahatchee Formation on Caloosahatchee River, Hendry County"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"Caloosahatchee Formation on Caloosahatchee River, Hendry County","title":"Caloosahatchee Formation on Caloosahatchee River, Hendry County","height":240,"width":360,"style":"width: 270px; height: 180px;","class":"media-element file-teaser","data-delta":"1"}}]]View More Photos | Quartz sand and shelly limestone | South Florida |
Cedar Keys Formation Paleocene to early Eocene | [[{"fid":"7079","view_mode":"teaser","fields":{"format":"teaser","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Cedar Keys Formation from Core, Polk County","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Cedar Keys Formation from Core, Polk County"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"teaser","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Cedar Keys Formation from Core, Polk County","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Cedar Keys Formation from Core, Polk County"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"Cedar Keys Formation from Core, Polk County","title":"Cedar Keys Formation from Core, Polk County","height":240,"width":360,"style":"width: 270px; height: 180px;","class":"media-element file-teaser","data-delta":"1"}}]] | Recrystalized limestone and dolostone with gypsum, quartz and chert infill | Peninsular Florida |
Chattahoochee Formation early Miocene | [[{"fid":"7080","view_mode":"teaser","fields":{"format":"teaser","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Chattahoochee Formation on Apalachicola River, Jackson County","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Chattahoochee Formation on Apalachicola River, Jackson County"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"teaser","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Chattahoochee Formation on Apalachicola River, Jackson County","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Chattahoochee Formation on Apalachicola River, Jackson County"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"Chattahoochee Formation on Apalachicola River, Jackson County","title":"Chattahoochee Formation on Apalachicola River, Jackson County","height":240,"width":360,"style":"width: 270px; height: 180px;","class":"media-element file-teaser","data-delta":"1"}}]]View More Photos | Silty, sandy dolostone | Panhandle |
Chipola formation (Alum Bluff Group) early Miocene | [[{"fid":"7082","view_mode":"teaser","fields":{"format":"teaser","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Chipola Formation at Alum Bluff, Liberty County","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Chipola Formation at Alum Bluff, Liberty County"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"teaser","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Chipola Formation at Alum Bluff, Liberty County","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Chipola Formation at Alum Bluff, Liberty County"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"Chipola Formation at Alum Bluff, Liberty County","title":"Chipola Formation at Alum Bluff, Liberty County","height":240,"width":360,"style":"width: 270px; height: 180px;","class":"media-element file-teaser","data-delta":"1"}}]] | Clayey, sandy fossiliferous carbonates and shelly sand | Panhandle
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Citronelle Formation Pliocene to Pleistocene | [[{"fid":"7083","view_mode":"teaser","fields":{"format":"teaser","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Citronelle Formation at Diamond Sand, Walton County","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Citronelle Formation at Diamond Sand, Walton County"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"teaser","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Citronelle Formation at Diamond Sand, Walton County","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Citronelle Formation at Diamond Sand, Walton County"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"Citronelle Formation at Diamond Sand, Walton County","title":"Citronelle Formation at Diamond Sand, Walton County","height":240,"width":360,"style":"width: 270px; height: 180px;","class":"media-element file-teaser","data-delta":"1"}}]]View More Photos | Quartz sand, gravel and clay | Panhandle
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Cypresshead Formation Pliocene to Pleistocene | [[{"fid":"7085","view_mode":"teaser","fields":{"format":"teaser","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Cypresshead Formation near Lake Wales, Polk County","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Cypresshead Formation near Lake Wales, Polk County"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"teaser","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Cypresshead Formation near Lake Wales, Polk County","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Cypresshead Formation near Lake Wales, Polk County"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"Cypresshead Formation near Lake Wales, Polk County","title":"Cypresshead Formation near Lake Wales, Polk County","height":240,"width":360,"style":"width: 270px; height: 180px;","class":"media-element file-teaser","data-delta":"1"}}]]View More Photos | Quartz sands | Northeast Florida
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Hawthorn Group Oligocene to Pliocene | [[{"fid":"7092","view_mode":"teaser","fields":{"format":"teaser","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Hawthorn Group on Alapaha River, Hamilton County","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Hawthorn Group on Alapaha River, Hamilton County"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"teaser","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Hawthorn Group on Alapaha River, Hamilton County","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Hawthorn Group on Alapaha River, Hamilton County"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"Hawthorn Group on Alapaha River, Hamilton County","title":"Hawthorn Group on Alapaha River, Hamilton County","height":240,"width":360,"style":"width: 270px; height: 180px;","class":"media-element file-teaser","data-delta":"1"}}]]View More Photos | Limestone and siliciclastics; characterized by presence of phosphates | Peninsular Florida |
Jackson Bluff Formation late Pliocene | [[{"fid":"7094","view_mode":"teaser","fields":{"format":"teaser","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Jackson Bluff Formation at Jackson Bluff, Leon County","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Jackson Bluff Formation at Jackson Bluff, Leon County"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"teaser","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Jackson Bluff Formation at Jackson Bluff, Leon County","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Jackson Bluff Formation at Jackson Bluff, Leon County"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"Jackson Bluff Formation at Jackson Bluff, Leon County","title":"Jackson Bluff Formation at Jackson Bluff, Leon County","height":240,"width":360,"style":"width: 270px; height: 180px;","class":"media-element file-teaser","data-delta":"1"}}]]View More Photos | Fossiliferous clayey sands and sandy clays; molluscan fauna | Panhandle
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Key Largo Limestone late Pleistocene | [[{"fid":"7096","view_mode":"teaser","fields":{"format":"teaser","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Key Largo Limestone at Windley Quarry, Monroe County","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Key Largo Limestone at Windley Quarry, Monroe County"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"teaser","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Key Largo Limestone at Windley Quarry, Monroe County","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Key Largo Limestone at Windley Quarry, Monroe County"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"Key Largo Limestone at Windley Quarry, Monroe County","title":"Key Largo Limestone at Windley Quarry, Monroe County","height":240,"width":360,"style":"width: 270px; height: 180px;","class":"media-element file-teaser","data-delta":"1"}}]] | Coralline limestone | South Florida |
Marianna Limestone early Oligocene | [[{"fid":"7097","view_mode":"teaser","fields":{"format":"teaser","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Marianna Limestone at Brooks Quarry, Jackson County","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Marianna Limestone at Brooks Quarry, Jackson County"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"teaser","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Marianna Limestone at Brooks Quarry, Jackson County","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Marianna Limestone at Brooks Quarry, Jackson County"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"Marianna Limestone at Brooks Quarry, Jackson County","title":"Marianna Limestone at Brooks Quarry, Jackson County","height":240,"width":360,"style":"width: 270px; height: 180px;","class":"media-element file-teaser","data-delta":"1"}}]]View More Photos | Fossiliferous, argillaceous limestone | Panhandle
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Miami Limestone late Pleistocene | [[{"fid":"7098","view_mode":"teaser","fields":{"format":"teaser","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Miami Limestone with Saharan Dust at Elliott Key, Miami-Dade County","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Miami Limestone with Saharan Dust at Elliott Key, Miami-Dade County"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"teaser","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Miami Limestone with Saharan Dust at Elliott Key, Miami-Dade County","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Miami Limestone with Saharan Dust at Elliott Key, Miami-Dade County"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"Miami Limestone with Saharan Dust at Elliott Key, Miami-Dade County","title":"Miami Limestone with Saharan Dust at Elliott Key, Miami-Dade County","height":240,"width":360,"style":"width: 270px; height: 180px;","class":"media-element file-teaser","data-delta":"1"}}]]View More Photos | Oolitic and brozoan limestone | South Florida
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Miccosukee Formation Pliocene to Pleistocene | [[{"fid":"7099","view_mode":"teaser","fields":{"format":"teaser","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Miccosukee Formation at BASF Pit, Gadsden County","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Miccosukee Formation at BASF Pit, Gadsden County"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"teaser","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Miccosukee Formation at BASF Pit, Gadsden County","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Miccosukee Formation at BASF Pit, Gadsden County"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"Miccosukee Formation at BASF Pit, Gadsden County","title":"Miccosukee Formation at BASF Pit, Gadsden County","height":240,"width":360,"style":"width: 270px; height: 180px;","class":"media-element file-teaser","data-delta":"1"}}]]View More Photos | Interbedded and cross-bedded siliciclastics with a high clay content | Panhandle |
Ocala Limestone late Eocene | [[{"fid":"7101","view_mode":"teaser","fields":{"format":"teaser","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Ocala Limestone in Brooks Quarry, Jackson County","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Ocala Limestone in Brooks Quarry, Jackson County"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"teaser","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Ocala Limestone in Brooks Quarry, Jackson County","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Ocala Limestone in Brooks Quarry, Jackson County"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"Ocala Limestone in Brooks Quarry, Jackson County","title":"Ocala Limestone in Brooks Quarry, Jackson County","height":240,"width":360,"style":"width: 270px; height: 180px;","class":"media-element file-teaser","data-delta":"1"}}]]View More Photos | Highly permeable fossiliferous limestone | Peninsular Florida & Eastern Panhandle
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Oldsmar Formation early Eocene | [[{"fid":"7103","view_mode":"teaser","fields":{"format":"teaser","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Oldsmar Formation from Core, Polk County","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Oldsmar Formation from Core, Polk County"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"teaser","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Oldsmar Formation from Core, Polk County","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Oldsmar Formation from Core, Polk County"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"Oldsmar Formation from Core, Polk County","title":"Oldsmar Formation from Core, Polk County","height":240,"width":360,"style":"width: 270px; height: 180px;","class":"media-element file-teaser","data-delta":"1"}}]] | Recrystalized limestone and dolostone with gypsum infill | Peninsular Florida |
St. Marks Formation early Miocene | [[{"fid":"7111","view_mode":"teaser","fields":{"format":"teaser","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"St. Marks Formation with kuphus in St Marks River, Wakulla County","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"St. Marks Formation with kuphus in St Marks River, Wakulla County"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"teaser","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"St. Marks Formation with kuphus in St Marks River, Wakulla County","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"St. Marks Formation with kuphus in St Marks River, Wakulla County"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"St. Marks Formation with kuphus in St Marks River, Wakulla County","title":"St. Marks Formation with kuphus in St Marks River, Wakulla County","height":240,"width":360,"style":"width: 270px; height: 180px;","class":"media-element file-teaser","data-delta":"1"}}]]View More Photos | Fossiliferous limestone | Panhandle |
Suwannee Limestone early Oligocene | [[{"fid":"7113","view_mode":"teaser","fields":{"format":"teaser","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Suwannee Limestone in Sun West Mine, Pasco County","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Suwannee Limestone in Sun West Mine, Pasco County"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"teaser","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Suwannee Limestone in Sun West Mine, Pasco County","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Suwannee Limestone in Sun West Mine, Pasco County"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"Suwannee Limestone in Sun West Mine, Pasco County","title":"Suwannee Limestone in Sun West Mine, Pasco County","height":240,"width":360,"style":"width: 270px; height: 180px;","class":"media-element file-teaser","data-delta":"1"}}]]View More Photos | Micro-fossiliferous and crystalline limestone | North and Central Peninsular Florida
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Tamiami Formation Pliocene | [[{"fid":"7114","view_mode":"teaser","fields":{"format":"teaser","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Tamiami Formation at Fla Rock in Ft Myers_Lee County","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Tamiami Formation at Fla Rock in Ft Myers_Lee County"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"teaser","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Tamiami Formation at Fla Rock in Ft Myers_Lee County","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Tamiami Formation at Fla Rock in Ft Myers_Lee County"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"Tamiami Formation at Fla Rock in Ft Myers_Lee County","title":"Tamiami Formation at Fla Rock in Ft Myers_Lee County","height":240,"width":360,"style":"width: 270px; height: 180px;","class":"media-element file-teaser","data-delta":"1"}}]]View More Photos | Slightly phosphatic sandy limestone | South Florida |
Torreya Formation (Hawthorn Group) early Miocene | [[{"fid":"7115","view_mode":"teaser","fields":{"format":"teaser","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Torreya Formation at Jackson Bluff, Leon County","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Torreya Formation at Jackson Bluff, Leon County"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"teaser","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Torreya Formation at Jackson Bluff, Leon County","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Torreya Formation at Jackson Bluff, Leon County"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"Torreya Formation at Jackson Bluff, Leon County","title":"Torreya Formation at Jackson Bluff, Leon County","height":240,"width":360,"style":"width: 270px; height: 180px;","class":"media-element file-teaser","data-delta":"1"}}]]View More Photos | Quartz sands and fine-grained limestone with phosphate | Panhandle |
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