The siltstones, marls, limestones and intermittent sandstones of the formation were deposited on the Northern Tethyan Carbonate Platform (NTCP).

The Staffelegg Formation has provided fossils of the ichthyosaur Eurhinosaurus longirostris and the ammonite Catacoeloceras raquinianum.

In the Folded Jura, these sediments may make up the major portion of the Staffelegg Formation.

The Staffelegg Formation displays a small thickness compared to the occurrences of the Early Jurassic of southeastern France and southwestern Germany.

A gradual decrease in thickness can be detected which continues from southwestern Germany into northern Switzerland.