Lower mudstone of the Florissant Formation
The lower mudstone unit of the Florissant Formation represents floodplain sediments with stream deposits and at the top a muddy lahar that buried large trees. With the exception of the pygmy opossum found in the lake shales, all Eocene mammals come from the lower mudstone unit.
An outcrop of a stream deposit within the lower mudstone unit. Stream deposits are good places to find fossils such as clams, snails, fish and other vertebrates that might have died in or near streams, so current research is being conducted to determine what if any fossils can be found in these stream deposits.
A view of "Big Stump" along the Petrified Forest Walk. Visitors can observe the lower mudstone that encases the fossil stumps, the middle shale unit, and the caprock conglomerate. You can also see the two saw blades that were embedded in Big Stump when collectors failed in their attempt to cut it up and haul it away.
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