Florissant Fossil Florissant Fossil Beds, ColoradoBeds, Colorado

A National MonumentA National Monument

"When the mountains are overthrown and "When the mountains are overthrown and the seas uplifted, the universe at Florissant the seas uplifted, the universe at Florissant

flings itself against a gnat and preserves flings itself against a gnat and preserves it."-- Dr. Peale, Hayden Expedition it."-- Dr. Peale, Hayden Expedition

Geologist, 1873. Geologist, 1873.

OverviewOverview Just west of Pike’s Peak in Colorado is Just west of Pike’s Peak in Colorado is

Florissant fossil beads.Florissant fossil beads. Huge petrified Red Huge petrified Red

Woods, sequoias, Woods, sequoias,

and detailed fossils and detailed fossils

of ancient insects of ancient insects

and plants hold key and plants hold key

to prehistoric life of almost 35 million years to prehistoric life of almost 35 million years ago.ago.

HistoryHistory Enormous volcanic eruptions encompassed the Enormous volcanic eruptions encompassed the

then flourishing valley leaving the giant tree then flourishing valley leaving the giant tree stumps petrified.stumps petrified.

A valley was created and at its bottom, in layers A valley was created and at its bottom, in layers of shale, of shale,

minute details of minute details of

ancient organisms ancient organisms

were preserved.were preserved.

Petrifying ProcessPetrifying Process A series of ancient systems with multiple vents A series of ancient systems with multiple vents

buried parts of ancient mixed forest floor in buried parts of ancient mixed forest floor in volcanic mud flow.volcanic mud flow.

The volcanic mud coated the bottom 15 feet of The volcanic mud coated the bottom 15 feet of the large Redwood trees.the large Redwood trees.

As minerals oozed into the wood and gradually As minerals oozed into the wood and gradually crystallized the still living tree. crystallized the still living tree.

Later in time, another mud flow closed a Later in time, another mud flow closed a stream, creating ancient Lake Florissant.stream, creating ancient Lake Florissant.

Comparison of Modern and Comparison of Modern and PetrifiedPetrified

Petrifying Continued…Petrifying Continued…

The ashes from the volcano The ashes from the volcano covered the land and turned covered the land and turned into clay at the bottom of into clay at the bottom of the lake.the lake.

The clay became a perfect The clay became a perfect medium preserving medium preserving countless leaves and insects.countless leaves and insects.

They were buried under They were buried under more ash and preserve amid more ash and preserve amid layers of shale. layers of shale.

Fossilized PlantsFossilized Plants

Over 100 species have been found fossilizedOver 100 species have been found fossilized Preserved as life-sized with incredible Preserved as life-sized with incredible

detail & colordetail & color Most common are fossilized leaves but twigs, seeds, cones, Most common are fossilized leaves but twigs, seeds, cones,

flowers, and even delicate pollen grainsflowers, and even delicate pollen grains Most common fossilized tree is the sequoiaMost common fossilized tree is the sequoia

Fossilized InsectsFossilized Insects

Rarely are insects preserved Rarely are insects preserved at all, let alone in great at all, let alone in great detaildetail

Here more than 1,000 Here more than 1,000 species have been species have been identified from the shale identified from the shale

of Lake Florissant of Lake Florissant

Fossilized AnimalsFossilized Animals

Fossilized bones, teeth, Fossilized bones, teeth, shells, hair, & feather shells, hair, & feather impressions impressions

These reveal existence of These reveal existence of mollusks, fish, birds, mollusks, fish, birds, possums, mesohippus, and possums, mesohippus, and oreodontsoreodonts

Not as many animal fossils Not as many animal fossils were found because to be were found because to be preserved it would have to preserved it would have to have died in or near the lakehave died in or near the lake

ReferencesReferences

http://www2.nature.nps.gov/geology/parks/flfohttp://www2.nature.nps.gov/geology/parks/flfo

http://www.nps.gov/flfo/education/unit2.htmhttp://www.nps.gov/flfo/education/unit2.htm