Fossils

Fossil fish with turtle.

Photo by Cliff Miles

The fossil record preserved within the Eocene Green River Formation of Fossil Basin is world-renowned. Discoveries of new fossil species from the ancient lake sediments continue to expand understanding of the paleoecosystem.

The quality of fossil preservation is extraordinary, nearly unparalleled in the fossil record. The quiet-water, fine-grained lake sediments, and water conditions that excluded scavengers combined to preserve articulated skeletons (all bones are in place rather than scattered). Delicate fossils, rarely preserved elsewhere, yield valuable scientific data.

Today less than 1% of Fossil Lake is protected and managed by the National Park Service. Fossil Butte National Monument is a site that promotes the protection of this world-class paleontological heritage.

Check out the fossil and donated fossil photo galleries and find more information about the various fossil species of the Fossil Butte Member (FBM) below.

 

 

D. dentatus FOBU791 specimen

NPS Photo

Fossil Fish Species

27 fish species have been identified from the Fossil Butte Member (FBM).

 

O. finneyi cast of private specimen

NPS Photo

Fossil Mammal Species

10 mammal species have been identified from the Fossil Butte Member (FBM).

 

B idelmani cast of private specimen

NPS Photo

Fossil Reptile Species

The 15 species of reptiles identified from the Fossil Butte Member (FBM) include turltes, lizards, crocodilians, and snakes.

 

A. paulus cast of private specimen

NPS Photo

Fossil Amphibian Species

2 amphibian species have been identified from the Fossil Butte Member (FBM).

 

Dragonfly FOBU448 specimen

NPS Photo

Fossil Arthropod Species

Several arthropod specimens have been identified from the Fossil Butte Member (FBM).

 

Palmites FOBU446 specimen

NPS Photo

Fossil Plant Species

Over 400 plant specimens have been identified from the Fossil Butte Member (FBM).

 

P. cercanaxius cast of private specimen

NPS Photo

Fossil Bird Species

Over 30 species of birds have been identifiefd from the Fossil Butte Member (FBM).

 

If you want to see the data from the fossils collected in the park's research quarry, download the Fossil Lake Quarry Data Spreadsheet (Excel 0.25 MB). If you do not see recent data, check back as the document is updated periodically.