Yazoo Clay is a clay geologic formation in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi. It was named after a bluff along the Yazoo River at Yazoo City, Mississippi It contains is a type of clay known as montmorillonite, making it a poor foundation material due to the fact that moisture causes extreme changes in volume. Sand, pyrite, and marl have all been noted in the formation. It preserves fossils from the Eocene, including the prehistoric cetaceans Basilosaurus and Zygorhiza, and the marine snake Pterosphenus. Sharks, rays, eels, and fish have also been found from the formation.

See also

List of fossiliferous stratigraphic units in Alabama

List of fossiliferous stratigraphic units in Mississippi

Paleontology in Alabama

Paleontology in Mississippi

References

Geologic formations of Alabama

Paleogene Louisiana

Paleogene Mississippi

Yazoo Clay