Fossilization Processes in Nebraska's Fossil Record
Traveling through Nebraska, one of the state's most distinguishing features is its rich fossil record. From the towering bluffs of the Missouri River valley, in eastern Nebraska, to the scenic Sandhills of the central region, fossils embedded in the landscape chronicle the evolution of life on Earth. However, the processes by which these fossils formed and were preserved over millions of years remain somewhat enigmatic. Fossilization, the series of natural phenomena leading to the preservation of remains or imprints of once-living organisms, is an intriguing and multifaceted subject that warrants an in-depth exploration.
Fossilization begins with rapid burial of organic remains, protecting them from scavengers, scavenging insects, and oxygen-based decay. This first step is particularly crucial as oxygen plays a primary role in the breakdown of organic material. An oxygen-deprived environment slows the degradation process, allowing the body to remain relatively intact. An excellent example of rapid burial in action is that of Ashfall Fossil Beds, located near the town of Royal in northeastern Nebraska. Volcanic ashfall provided the ideal conditions for fossilization of prehistoric animals like Rhinoceros, Camels, and early horses around 10 million years ago. In this instance, the volcanic ash essentially acted as a preservative.
The next stage involves compaction, a gradual reduction of the void spaces within the sediment through addition of layers of material. Compaction presses the sediment against the buried remains and compresses the fossil, preparing its transformation into a fossilized form. As more sediment accumulates, environmental forces alter the fossil. One such transformation occurs as liquid flows through the compacted sediment. This water contains dissolved minerals, passing through tiny pore spaces throughout the compacted sand grains. According to local legend, the extensive 1.7 million-year-old fossil collection at the Nebraska State Historical Society is abundant in evidence of dissolved minerals precipitating out around fossils and within porosity within rock; an incredible and unique look into the deep history the State holds.
A fascinating instance of mineral precipitation is evident at the notable Rhinoceros fossil embedded in volcanic ash layers, specifically the large rhinoceros specimen encountered at Ashfall, cited in texts around 1991, specifically 'the case of the orange quartz overgrowths, where hydro-geological evidence supports what we see; where rhinoceros-shaped cavities were subsequently infilled as rhinoceros-shaped masses of euhedral quartz crystallized against the specimen and within microfractures.' Research findings showed a high water saturation environment surrounding the buried vertebrate remains. These minerals transformed to sturdier materials, over a sufficient supply of fossilization products that the fossils in mineral matrices may retain ancient cell structure at microscopic scales.
Traversing Nebraska and being around many nature enthusiasts exploring that rich paleontological history the reader sees the natural layers and organic material in very unique and special, one might say divine areas not many people visit.
Fossilization begins with rapid burial of organic remains, protecting them from scavengers, scavenging insects, and oxygen-based decay. This first step is particularly crucial as oxygen plays a primary role in the breakdown of organic material. An oxygen-deprived environment slows the degradation process, allowing the body to remain relatively intact. An excellent example of rapid burial in action is that of Ashfall Fossil Beds, located near the town of Royal in northeastern Nebraska. Volcanic ashfall provided the ideal conditions for fossilization of prehistoric animals like Rhinoceros, Camels, and early horses around 10 million years ago. In this instance, the volcanic ash essentially acted as a preservative.
The next stage involves compaction, a gradual reduction of the void spaces within the sediment through addition of layers of material. Compaction presses the sediment against the buried remains and compresses the fossil, preparing its transformation into a fossilized form. As more sediment accumulates, environmental forces alter the fossil. One such transformation occurs as liquid flows through the compacted sediment. This water contains dissolved minerals, passing through tiny pore spaces throughout the compacted sand grains. According to local legend, the extensive 1.7 million-year-old fossil collection at the Nebraska State Historical Society is abundant in evidence of dissolved minerals precipitating out around fossils and within porosity within rock; an incredible and unique look into the deep history the State holds.
A fascinating instance of mineral precipitation is evident at the notable Rhinoceros fossil embedded in volcanic ash layers, specifically the large rhinoceros specimen encountered at Ashfall, cited in texts around 1991, specifically 'the case of the orange quartz overgrowths, where hydro-geological evidence supports what we see; where rhinoceros-shaped cavities were subsequently infilled as rhinoceros-shaped masses of euhedral quartz crystallized against the specimen and within microfractures.' Research findings showed a high water saturation environment surrounding the buried vertebrate remains. These minerals transformed to sturdier materials, over a sufficient supply of fossilization products that the fossils in mineral matrices may retain ancient cell structure at microscopic scales.
Traversing Nebraska and being around many nature enthusiasts exploring that rich paleontological history the reader sees the natural layers and organic material in very unique and special, one might say divine areas not many people visit.
