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Florissant Fossil Beds, Colorado A National Monument

Florissant Fossil Beds, Colorado A National Monument. "When the mountains are overthrown and the seas uplifted, the universe at Florissant flings itself against a gnat and preserves it."-- Dr. Peale, Hayden Expedition Geologist, 1873. Overview.

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Florissant Fossil Beds, Colorado A National Monument

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  1. Florissant Fossil Beds, ColoradoA National Monument "When the mountains are overthrown and the seas uplifted, the universe at Florissant flings itself against a gnat and preserves it."-- Dr. Peale, Hayden Expedition Geologist, 1873.

  2. Overview • Just west of Pike’s Peak in Colorado is Florissant fossil beads. • Huge petrified Red Woods, sequoias, and detailed fossils of ancient insects and plants hold key to prehistoric life of almost 35 million years ago.

  3. History • Enormous volcanic eruptions encompassed the then flourishing valley leaving the giant tree stumps petrified. • A valley was created and at its bottom, in layers of shale, • minute details of ancient organisms were preserved.

  4. Petrifying Process • A series of ancient systems with multiple vents buried parts of ancient mixed forest floor in volcanic mud flow. • The volcanic mud coated the bottom 15 feet of the large Redwood trees. • As minerals oozed into the wood and gradually crystallized the still living tree. • Later in time, another mud flow closed a stream, creating ancient Lake Florissant.

  5. Comparison of Modern and Petrified

  6. Petrifying Continued… • The ashes from the volcano covered the land and turned into clay at the bottom of the lake. • The clay became a perfect medium preserving countless leaves and insects. • They were buried under more ash and preserve amid layers of shale.

  7. Fossilized Plants • Over 100 species have been found fossilized • Preserved as life-sized with incredible detail & color • Most common are fossilized leaves but twigs, seeds, cones, flowers, and even delicate pollen grains • Most common fossilized tree is the sequoia

  8. Fossilized Insects • Rarely are insects preserved at all, let alone in great detail • Here more than 1,000 species have been identified from the shale of Lake Florissant

  9. Fossilized Animals • Fossilized bones, teeth, shells, hair, & feather impressions • These reveal existence of mollusks, fish, birds, possums, mesohippus, and oreodonts • Not as many animal fossils were found because to be preserved it would have to have died in or near the lake

  10. References • http://www2.nature.nps.gov/geology/parks/flfo • http://www.nps.gov/flfo/education/unit2.htm

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