T177 Geology and Hydrology of Your Public Lands: Understanding and Managing America’s Geologic Heritage, Active Processes, Geohazards, Energy Development, and Mineral Resources (Posters)

Tuesday, 6 November 2018
9:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Halls J-K

CYCLIC FOSSIL PROSPECTING AT JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK

Paper number: T177-5
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM

Authors

Abstract

Joshua Tree National Park (JOTR) has concentrated vertebrate fossils in the Pleistocene sediments of Pinto Basin. The formation is annually eroded by flash flooding, providing a challenge for conservation as new fossils are frequently revealed. Cyclic prospecting, where field staff annually surveys the site and collects fossils, has proven a successful strategy. The 2018 prospecting was the latest since 2015. The survey was conducted by foot through areas of erosion predicted by aerial topography and previous fossil sites, yielding 56 localities containing dozens of specimens awaiting excavation. This survey will be included in a National Park Service Paleontological Inventory Report, expected publication in September 2018. This report will inform both internal and external agencies and persons on JOTR’s paleontologic resource management, interpretation, and planning.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 50, No. 6

doi: 10.1130/abs/2018AM-318205

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