Dockum Group - History of Investigation

History of Investigation

There is no designated type locality for this formation. The Dockum was named by Cummins for a good exposure in vicinity of town of Dockum in Dickens County, TX in 1890. Lucas included the Dockum Group within the Chinle when he raised the Chinle to group status. Most researchers still maintain the Chinle is a formation and separate from the Dockum Group. It should be pointed out that the Dockum was named before the Chinle, and if Lucus is correct, his "Chinle Group" should be named the Dockum Group due to stratigraphic nomenclature rules.