Dachstein Formation

Dachstein Formation
Stratigraphic range: Norian-Rhaetian
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Well bedded Dachstein limestones forming a distinctively stepped profile with clearly defined boundaries on the face of the Mitterhorn (2,506 m) in the Lofer Alps.
TypeFormation
Lithology
PrimaryLimestone
Location
Coordinates47°36′N 14°00′E / 47.6°N 14.0°E / 47.6; 14.0
Approximate paleocoordinates25°24′N 17°36′E / 25.4°N 17.6°E / 25.4; 17.6
RegionStyria, Veszprém, Bessuno, Brescia,
South Tyrol
CountryAustria, Germany, Hungary, Italy,
Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland
Type section
Named forDachstein Mountains
Named byFriedrich Simony
Dachstein Formation (Alps)

The Dachstein Formation or Dachstein Limestone (German: Dachsteinkalk) is a lithostratigraphic term for a geologic formation of Triassic age. It is a carbonate sequence which forms prominent features in the Northern Limestone Alps and also crops out over a number of Tethyan mountain ranges in Austria, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Switzerland, Slovakia and Slovenia.

The Dachstein limestone was first formally described by the Austrian geologist Friedrich Simony in the 19th century, the type locality is the Dachstein Massif in the southern Salzkammergut region of Austria.