Fossils and Collecting

We had a guest paleontologist in our class today to share info with our classes.

How can we tell the difference between a fossil and a rock? First we had a chance to guess at the identify of a large fossil. Fossil bone may be porous. We had a chance to look at a whale vertebrae - from the Eocine/Miocine period - so it about 50 million years old. Index fossils can also help us to identify a fossil. The index fossils found with the vertebrae were shark teeth - so we know that the fossil came from an aquatic environment.

Next we got to look at a mammoth tooth.

We learned that some common beliefs people have about fossils aren't really true- most people don't find dinosaurs in their backyard.
The truth is - fossils are found on every continent and in every state except Hawaii
In the US, we can find fossils from all geologic time periods
In Ohio, only fossils from Ordovician to Permian can be found - the glaciers eroded away the other rock layers. If you look at a map of rock time periods in Ohio - you will see that there are older rocks in the glaciated side (western ) and the newer rocks are in the unglaciated side (eastern)

Scientists don't agree on exact start and end points for geologic time periods. Rock layers are mostly consistent across the world - but local exceptions occur, which lead to different boundaries.

Fossil collectors need safety equipment like hard hats, safety goggles, rock dust masks and safety vests. There is always a danger of rock slides in the areas they might be working in.

Fossil collectors use pry bars, sledge hammers, pick axes, rock hammers and rock saws to collect the stone material that contains fossils. Some locations allow you to sift for fossils using a screen.

Fossil hunters go any where there is exposed rock - quarries, road beds, river and stream beds are all good locations. You can't hunt on private property without permission. Some locations require you to have a permit. Some fossil hunters do ground collection - finding fossils that are eroded out and lying on the ground or along the water's edge.

Diatoms can leave behind microscopic fossils - these organisms were sensitive to water temp and salinity changes so they can give scientists information on what the early ocean might have been like.

In lab, we are going to have a chance to look at crinoid fossils, brachiopods, trilobites and more.

Sometimes paleontologists find fossils that have body plans that don't exist anymore - so scientist know very little about them - how they moved, how they reproduced, what they ate.

Fossil collecting is a great hobby - it gives you the opportunity to find life forms that may not exist anymore. It is a chance to be outside and to meet new people. There are clubs that you can belong to. In our area, the North Coast Fossil Club holds regular meetings. There are between 100 and 200 members. There is a guest speaker at each meeting.

Scientists can gather a lot of information from a fossil - body plan, structure and even x-ray images that show internal details.

Resource Links To Learn More About This Science
http://www.fossils-facts-and-finds.com/
http://cmnh.org/site/ResearchandCollections/InvertebratePaleontology.aspx