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Phones out of order
The JODA main line and the visitor center line are both not working properly. Click the More link to email visitor services until the phone issue is resolved. More »
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Changes to Visitor Service Due to Sequestration
Due to mandatory, across-the-board budget cuts, some visitor services in this park have changed. Please check the Plan Your Visit section for more information. More »
Fossils
Saber toothed nimravids, like this eusmilus, filled the cat niche 30 million years ago. The paleontology division at John Day Fossil Beds manages animal and plant fossils, and ancient soil and rock samples from geological formations that span over 40 Ma during the Age of the Mammals. The research and fossil management encompass four major areas: Basic research and basinwide investigative coordination, paleobotany, museum curation, and fossil preparation. Research areas include paleontology, stratigraphy, radiometric dating, paleomagnetic coorelation, paleopedological (fossil soil) analysis, paleogeochemistry, biostratigraphy, and paleobiology. Researchers from around the world are currently working on these topics within the John Day Fossil Beds under the coordination of park paleontology staff. The paleobotanical (fossil plants) resources of eastern Oregon are some of the most prolific and diverse to be found anywhere. Because plants are generally better environmental indicators than fossil animals, the John Day paleontology staff also works to identify the plant types over time and thereby reconstruct the ancient ecosystems and climates of eastern Oregon.Two of the many floras included within the John Day Fossil Beds include the Clarno Nut Beds and the Bridge Creek Floras.
There are 237 National Park Service sites containing fossils. Explore other sites at the National Park Service Paleontology page. |
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Did You Know?
The fossil leaves found at the Painted Hills represent an assemblage of broad-leaf deciduous trees that were growing on the edge of lakes and streams.