[1] The Lower Triassic sediments in the region were discovered in 1926 independently by James Wordie and Lauge Koch, and the latter named the formation.

The Kap Stosch Formation was deposited in relatively deep, partly isolated turbiditic basin, and the Godthåb Golf Formation under relatively shallow marine conditions.

A sixth fossiliferous layer, the "Stegocephalian horizon", is present above, which belongs to the Godthåb Golf Formation (Dienerian).

[1] A diverse vertebrate fauna composed of temnospondyl amphibians and fishes is known from the formation.

[3][5][11] Fossil fishes are also known from the Permian Ravnefjeld Formation ("Posidonomya shale") of Greenland.