Hermit Formation

Hermit Formation Stratigraphic range: Permian, Early Leonardian275–270 Ma PreЄ Є O S D C P T J K Pg N ↓
(Isis Temple, central Grand Canyon) The 3 top geologic units visible: 3)-(white-cliffs-prominence)-Coconino Sandstone, 2)-(slope-forming-Deep brnsh-red)-Hermit Formation, 1)-(red-uppermost-vertical-cliff & resistant)-Esplanade Sandstone (top unit of 4–member Supai Group) (Note: Distinctive Redwall Limestone upper horizontal-platform.)
Type	Geological formation
Underlies	Coconino Sandstone
Overlies	Supai Group
Thickness	900 feet (270 m), at maximum
Lithology
Primary	siltstone and mudstone
Other	sandstone
Location
Region	Northern Arizona, southeast California, southeast Nevada, and southern Utah
Country	United States of America
Type section
Named for	Hermit basin, Coconino County, Arizona
Named by	Noble (1923)

The Permian Hermit Formation, also known as the Hermit Shale, is a nonresistant unit that is composed of slope-forming reddish brown siltstone, mudstone, and very fine-grained sandstone. Within the Grand Canyon region, the upper part of the Hermit Formation contains red and white, massive, calcareous sandstone and siltstone beds that exhibit low-angle cross-bedding. Beds of dark red crumbly siltstone fill shallow paleochannels that are quite common in this formation. The siltstone beds often contain poorly preserved plant fossils. The Hermit Formation varies in thickness from about 100 feet (30 m) in the eastern part of the Grand Canyon region to about 900 feet (270 m) in the region of Toroweap and Shivwits Plateaus. In the Sedona, Arizona area, it averages 300 feet (91 m) in thickness. The upper contact of the Hermit Formation is typically sharp and lacks gradation of any kind. The lower contact is a disconformity characterized by a significant amount of erosional relief, including paleovalleys as much as 60 feet (18 m) deep.