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

Digging Up Dinosaurs

Dinosaurs are abundant in Montana.  Paleontologists are still recovering them, and learning about them.   Jack Horner is one of the worlds foremost authorities on dinosaurs.  He was born in Shelby, MT and works closely with the folks at the "Museum of the Rockies". The Bozeman museum has recently opened the "Hall of Giants".

Walt Disney said," When you're curious, you find lots of interesting things to do."  "Montana Dinosaur Trail" is a map showing 15 museums that have their own paleontology section.  Many of the artifacts have been found in Montana.  Perhaps it will spark your curiosity.

There are also a few living creatures whose direct ancestors lived during the dinosaur age.  There are about 26 species of sturgeon in the world today, some are found in Montana rivers. Fossil records of sturgeon date back 200 million years.  They can live to be over 100 years old.  The Pallid Sturgeon can weigh 60 pounds and is very rare.  Sturgeons are classified as at risk of extinction.

Montana is one of 23 states that are home to another interesting creature that time forgot - the "Paddlefish".  They have looked the same for over 60 million years, only two species have survived. They are Montana's largest fish and are related to the Sturgeon.



Dinosaur Resources

Judith River Dinosaur Institute  http://www.montanadinosaurdigs.com

Makoshika Dinosaur Museum  http://www.makoshika.com    http://www.paleokids.com

Museum of the Rockies http://www.montana.edu/wwwmor

Timescale Adventures  http://www.timescale.org