NPS Photo by Rod Horrocks

Day of Discovery

Protecting the Fossils

From the time of the first discovery in July, until Dr. Greg McDonald could return to do a full investigation several weeks later, wind, rain, and drying conditions caused the fossils to deteriorate.

NPS Photo by Rod Horrocks

One Month Later

The formation in which these fossils lie is the White River Group. These claystones have been affected by the changing climates since the time they were uncovered by the erosional effects of wind and rain and of freezing and thawing.

As the clay became wet and dry, it expanded and contracted causing the fossils to become extremely fractured and fragile.