Smackover Formation

The Smackover Formation is a geologic formation in Arkansas. It preserves fossils dating back to the Jurassic period.

The Smackover Formation consists of oolitic limestones and silty limestones.

Mineral resources


The Smackover Formation has been a prolific source of petroleum. The 1922 discovery of the Smackover oil field, after which the Smackover Formation is named, resulted in a sizeable oil boom in southern Arkansas.

In addition to being a petroleum reservoir, as of 2015, the brine from the Smackover Formation is the only source of commercial bromine in the United States.

A 2022 report estimated that the lithium brine in the formation has "sufficient lithium to produce enough batteries for 50 million electric vehicles."