Post by 150FromFundy on Sept 2, 2013 8:36:05 GMT -5
Earlier in August, Laura and I went on an organized beach walk to see an active fossil dig site at Wassons Bluff along the shores of the Bay of Fundy. This sounded interesting and was an opportunity to support the Nova Scotia Geological Museum.
The first photo is Two Islands which is amygdaloidal basalt with cavities full of agate, jasper, chalcedony and an array of zeolites. These islands are accessible for a very brief period of time at low tide. This is where I wanted to be, but that’s not what this story is about.
Along the way, we passed some Carboniferous fossils. Apparently, there is a piece of tree trunk in there somewhere.
We also passed some ripple marks. The ripple marks were originally created in the lower layer of siltstone/mudstone which has now crumbled away. The upper layer of harder sandstone preserved the underlying ripple marks and has resisted erosion. That’s why the ripple marks appear on the underside, and not on top.
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The actual dig site is in the McCoy Brook Formation of red sandstone. The bones are not glamorous by any means, but are an important link for the Paleontologists. The tiny fossils here are well preserved, and intact with no scatter. These vertebrates are some of the earliest Jurassic vertebrates discovered to date. Long before the big TV dinosaurs.
It’s long laborious work with tiny tools, spray bottles, and brushes. Unlike rock hounds, the Paleontologists take for ever to fill their 5-gallon buckets.
The History Channel had a film crew that was documenting the dig along with many digs as part of a series to be released in 2015. Laura had to sign a release waiver, so she may appear as an extra in a future documentary. I missed my chance at fame and fortune as I was drawn to the Hover-CAM. Eight props, pan, tilt, and zoom. This is how they make those amazing fly overs that you see in Planet Earth, etc.
Darryl.
The first photo is Two Islands which is amygdaloidal basalt with cavities full of agate, jasper, chalcedony and an array of zeolites. These islands are accessible for a very brief period of time at low tide. This is where I wanted to be, but that’s not what this story is about.
Along the way, we passed some Carboniferous fossils. Apparently, there is a piece of tree trunk in there somewhere.
We also passed some ripple marks. The ripple marks were originally created in the lower layer of siltstone/mudstone which has now crumbled away. The upper layer of harder sandstone preserved the underlying ripple marks and has resisted erosion. That’s why the ripple marks appear on the underside, and not on top.
[/URL]The actual dig site is in the McCoy Brook Formation of red sandstone. The bones are not glamorous by any means, but are an important link for the Paleontologists. The tiny fossils here are well preserved, and intact with no scatter. These vertebrates are some of the earliest Jurassic vertebrates discovered to date. Long before the big TV dinosaurs.
It’s long laborious work with tiny tools, spray bottles, and brushes. Unlike rock hounds, the Paleontologists take for ever to fill their 5-gallon buckets.
The History Channel had a film crew that was documenting the dig along with many digs as part of a series to be released in 2015. Laura had to sign a release waiver, so she may appear as an extra in a future documentary. I missed my chance at fame and fortune as I was drawn to the Hover-CAM. Eight props, pan, tilt, and zoom. This is how they make those amazing fly overs that you see in Planet Earth, etc.
Darryl.
