T223 Geologic Maps and Their Derivatives (Posters)

Tuesday, 21 October 2014
9:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Exhibition Hall C

AN INTERACTIVE INVERTEBRATE FOSSIL LOCATION MAP OF THE GREAT STATE OF UTAH

Paper number: T223-11
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM

Authors

Abstract

Rockhounding and invertebrate fossil collecting are popular activities in Utah. However, finding public locations and fossil identification can be overwhelming. We accomplished the task of bringing fossil locations around Utah to anyone through a useful online tool. Being able to interact online with a geographical information systems program to find fossils in a given area was the key point to our project. The project involved compiling previously available data about fossil sites around the state of Utah. The data collected and used in the application include: fossil locations with the latitude and longitude coordinates, the county in which they are found, directions to the site, the age of the fossils, the geologic formation, a comprehensive list of fossils found at each site, as well as any available references.

The information was compiled from different websites, local and state agencies, museums, and other universities. The data was then uploaded into ESRI ArcGIS to generate an interactive map of fossil localities throughout Utah. The interface consists of icons that a user can click on and the material is displayed on a table with each node for the type of fossil and physical location where the user has clicked. It is the collector’s responsibility to be aware of collecting regulations.