Ammonite of Lyme Regis

Thanks to reader Shamalama of Pennsylvania, I have obtained my very own Lyme Regis ammonite so now I am happy as clam at high tide (or would that be an ammonite in mosasaur free waters).

This fossil ammonite is a Promicroceras planicosta found in the Black Ven Marl Member.  This small creature existed in the Sinemurian age or stage (about 191 million years ago) in the Lower Jurassic Period.  This age was named in 1842 by Alcide d'Orbigny and named after the Semur-en-Brionnais, France [source Wikipedia].  Lyme Regis is found in Dorset, England and is home of the famous paleontologist Mary Anning.  Lyme Regis is famous for their fossils particularly ammonites.

According to Wikipedia the Promicroceras (Spath, 1925) is classified as:

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Cephalopoda
Subclass: Ammonoidea
Order: Ammonitida
Superfamily: Eoderocerataceae
Family: Eoderoceratidae
Genus: Promicroceras
Species: planicosta

Louisville Fossil Bed Hikes 2010

 Falls of the Ohio State Park

Fossil Bed Hike - September 2009

Photos courtesy of Michael Popp

The Falls of the Ohio State Park of Clarksville, Indiana (on the state line with Louisville, Kentucky) has posted their schedule for 2010 outer fossil bed hikes.  These hikes take place on the exposed river bed later in the year when the Army Corp of Engineers lower the spillway doors cutting the flow of the Ohio River.  

Below is information taken from the Falls of the Ohio website.  The tours are led by 2008 Volunteer of the Year Paul Olliges who has been the tour guide for years.  He reminded me in a e-mail that the outer bed hikes are only available from late August to mid-October if river conditions allow.  Since Paul has retired, his flexible schedule allows week day tours during this time, contact the state park office at (812) 280-9970 or park@fallsoftheohio.org.

2011 Outer Fossil Bed Hikes
August 20, 9:30 a.m.
September 10, 9:30 a.m.
September 17, 9:30 a.m. (part of Falls Fossil Festival weekend)
September 18, 9:30 a.m. (part of Falls Fossil Festival weekend)
September 28, 12:30 p.m.
October 1, 9:30 a.m.
October 8, 9:30 a.m.

                                                                                                                                                                  

On the hike large colonies of corals will
be encountered like this Silurian Period
Halysites maybe a meter across in size

The website describes the hike as 3 to 3 1/2 hour hike this is moderate to strenuous. I was on this hike last year and you will get a workout.  I would suggest bring an extra pair of shoes and socks to change into because you will get wet crossing the spillway.  Also bring a walking stick or cane because the spillway is mossy in place thus slick.

 

 

Below is the rest of the text from the Falls of the Ohio web site that describes the hikes.  The website also contains information about canoe tours.

Meet on the Interpretive Center deck. If you have difficulty walking on rocks, uneven ground, rough terrain, this hike isn't for you. We will walk several minutes in water about six inches to as much as three feet deep with little to moderate current. Guide will talk about the history, flora & fauna, the river and the engineering behind the McAlpine dam and locks. Expect to see thousands of fossils! Some are the best ones to be seen on the fossil beds.

Bring water to drink, a hat, good hiking shoes - no sandals or flip-flops! Old athletic shoes will work. A walking stick is helpful. If you don't have one, you can find one among the driftwood. This hike is a terrific photo-op. Call the Park office (812-280-9970) the day before to verify the hike is on, because the hike is dependent on river conditions. If the one gate on the dam is open even a few inches, we can't go.

 Mystery photo of Ohio River Bed

Go on the tour and the guide will explain

what this is from Louisville's history

Destruction of Canadian Fossils?

 Ginkgo adiantoides Leaf Fossil

Tranquil Shale - British Columbia, Canada

Image source Wikipedia

 

An article in the Vancouver Sun newspaper makes a blunt call to action comparing the destruction of the Eocene Period McAbee Fossil Beds to the sacking of the Library at Alexandria.  The McAbee Fossil Beds is composed of Tranquil Shale in Cache Creek, British Columbia, Canada.  The article is basically calling for the government to review their mineral licenses of the area that is experiencing fossil destruction due to road building and repair.

Eohiodon Fossil

McAbee Fossil Bed - Eocene Period

Image compliments of Howard (Calgary, Canada)

See this web page on the Virtual Fossil Museum web site for some ideas of plant fossils found at the site.

Florissantia Fossil

McAbee Fossil Bed - Eocene Period

Image courtesy of Howard (Calgary, Canada)

Dr. Bruce Archibald, mentioned in the article, has a web site highlighting his research.

Pine Needles Fossil

McAbee Fossil Bed - Eocene Period

Image compliments of Howard (Calgary, Canada)

This website promotes the u-dig fossil operation (that might be the one cited in the article).  They state 50 varieties of plants can be found along with insects, fish, flowers, feathers, and cones fossils.

Here is the British Columbia government position on the site which also contains their research report.

Metasequoia Fossil

McAbee Fossil Bed - Eocene Period

Image courtesy of Howard (Calgary, Canada)

Maybe one day I will visit that area which seems so rich in natural resources and beauty.