Where's the Dinosaur Capital?

Picture from Paul Ullmann's Resume http://www.paleopaul.com

  








I admit I am geographically challenged. My stories of getting lost are legion.  Given that piece of trivia, where is the capital for dinosaurs? Is it on the map?  I don't remember learning about  it when I studied the state capitals as a kid.

The Hell Creek Formation is a layer of rock found in Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota.  This layer of rock is approximately 65 to 67 million years old, countless dinosaurs and fossils have been found in it.  In Montana one of the most studied areas of the Hell Creek Formation is near Jordan MT.  In 1902 the first T-Rex ever discovered was found near Jordan, MT.

Paleotrek is a Dinosaur Dig in the Hell Creek Formation Outside of Jordan, MT.  It is designed to allow individuals to come and work with scientists on an actual dig for a day or up to the full summer.  It is designed as a summer vacation were you actually help excavate dinosaur specimens.  Dinosaur research is ongoing in this section of the state. The Hell Creek Formation has earned the title "Dinosaur Capital".

Jack Horner, an American paleontologist brings about 40 people out to the Jordan area to hunt for dinosaurs and fossils every summer.  Many of the people who accompany him are his students from Montana State University - Bozeman.  Others are some of the 700 applicants that have asked to do field work as they hunt for dinosaurs with him.   He is the curator for the Museum of the Rockies.

I compared the pictures of the Hell Creek Formation around Jordan with pictures I took of  Alven and Patsy's land.  The other day Alven told me that some students from Concordia carried out bone encased in plaster of paris on a stretcher, near his property.

Alven and Patsy's land

Near Brusett, MT

I wonder where the dinosaurs are hiding?

http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/science/parks/hellcreek.php

http://serc.carleton.edu/research_education/cretaceous/hell.html

http://www.paleoworld.org/

http://www.wegoplaces.com/Attraction_46835.aspx

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hell_Creek.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hell_Creek_Formation

http://www.fossilmuseum.net/Fossil_Sites/hellcreek.htm

http://www.guidetomontana.com/montana-tourism/hell-creek-formation.aspx

http://www.dinosauria.com/jdp/misc/hellcreek.html

http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/07/13/fossil-last-dinosaur-supports-killer-asteroid-theory/

http://mtdinotrail.org/order_a_passport.shtm

A Land of Contrasts

June 10, 2011 we went to Brusett, MT and visited with Dan's sister and husband.  Alven told stories as I took pictures of their property.  Their home is about 25 miles (by road) from the Fort Peck Lake.  The Fort Peck Lake has more shore line than the state of Florida.

Their land is not far from the Charles M Russell Wildlife Refuge.  The north side of their property is on the edge of the Missouri River Breaks.  Our English language doesn't do justice when I tell you the land is rough.

Now contrast these pictures of the "Breaks" with the acres of pine country that is also part of their land.

I have watched deer graze in the field behind their house.  Patsy has told me about watching elk graze from her kitchen window.  It is a land of contrasts.  It's rugged beauty takes your breath away.