Terry Ambrose’s Post

🔷 Today I am immersing myself in the world of ichnofossils, right here in the stunning Apennines. This mountain range is a geologist's dream, offering a vast array of deep-sea life from the Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras. The rocks here have been silent witnesses to millions of years of biological activity, preserving the traces and trails of ancient organisms in their #deposits. 🔷 Among the ichnofossils, or trace fossils, found here are Zoophycos, Chondrites, Undichna, and Scolicia. Zoophycos, a type of trace fossil often found in deep marine environments, is characterised by a distinctive 'skirt-like' pattern. Chondrites, on the other hand, are a network of small, branching burrows, hinting at the feeding behaviour of the invertebrates (possibly bivalves or worms) that created them. Undichna is intriguing as it is interpreted as the swimming trace of a fish, a direct record of animal behaviour frozen in time. Finally, the Scolicia trace fossils, typically associated with deposit-feeding #sea urchins, are sure to catch your eye with their meandering patterns. 🔷 Each of these ichnofossils provides a window into the past, offering us a glimpse of the ancient deep-sea environments that once existed here. The Apennines thus serve as an invaluable open book of Earth's history, where each layer of rock reveals a new chapter of life's evolution. It is a truly humbling experience to walk these mountains and reflect on the immense span of geological time they represent.

The "gravest objection" to his theory, Darwin noted, was the lack at the time of fossils of transitional forms. The 1861 discovery in Bavaria of Archaeopteryx, combining reptile-like and bird-like features, provided support for Darwin's theory. #darwin #fossils https://lnkd.in/g-agz3u4

Today is the 118th anniversary of the Antiquities Act, a law that allows presidents to designate national monuments. Without it, our public lands would look starkly different! But what's the Antiquities Act all about? It's about protecting: 👣 Cultural and sacred sites with petroglyphs, geoglyphs, pottery, dwellings and places of harvest and ceremony ⚖️ Historic sites that honor civil rights landmarks, former mining operations, battle sites and trail systems ⚛️ Scientific sites that serve as living laboratories for geologists, paleontologists, archaeologists, historians and biologists to study, like fossil beds and underground cave systems 🌵💧Natural, ecological and aquatic sites that are biodiversity hotspots, where hundreds of plant and wildlife species blend and aren't found anywhere else in the world. It's also about protecting access to nature for millions of people who camp, hike, fish, hunt, recreate, picnic, boat, ride horseback, climb, ski, bike, or just need a place to soak up the mental health benefits of being outside. We're calling on President Biden to use the Antiquities Act to designate Monuments for All!

In a groundbreaking discovery, paleontologists from the University of Zurich have uncovered the remains of a colossal freshwater dolphin species in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon. Named Pebanista yacuruna, this ancient aquatic giant roamed the waters approximately 16 to 24 million years ago, stunning researchers with its size and unique characteristics. Lead author Aldo Benites-Palomino expressed astonishment at the find, stating, "We discovered that its size is not the only remarkable aspect." Contrary to expectations, genetic analysis revealed that Pebanista yacuruna's closest relatives are not the Amazon river dolphins as anticipated, but rather the South Asian river dolphins of the genus Platanista. The revelation challenges previous assumptions about the evolutionary history of river dolphins and sheds new light on the complex interconnections of ancient aquatic ecosystems. This remarkable discovery underscores the importance of continued exploration and research in the world's most biodiverse regions. Accompanying the announcement, the University of Zurich released captivating images, including artistic representations of Pebanista yacuruna navigating the ancient Amazon waters, intricate 3D models of the fossilized remains, and snapshots of the dedicated team of paleontologists unearthing these prehistoric treasures alongside local guides. The discovery of Pebanista yacuruna opens a window into the distant past of the Amazon basin, providing invaluable insights into its rich and dynamic natural history. As scientists delve deeper into the mysteries of this ancient dolphin species, the Amazon continues to reveal its secrets, captivating the world with its unparalleled biodiversity and untold wonders. #Dolphin #trendingnews #galaxyspread

Mines .... more that just mineral extraction.

Historical

🦖We unveil our stunning collection of Realistic Fossil Replicas. Perfect for enthusiasts, collectors, educators, and anyone with a passion for paleontology, our replicas offer an authentic glimpse into the prehistoric world. 🌍 Why Choose Our Fossil Replicas? ✨Authentic Detail: Each piece is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring an accurate representation of the original fossil. ✨High-Quality Materials: Made from durable and realistic materials, our replicas are built to last and impress. ✨Educational Value: Ideal for classrooms, museums, and educational settings, these replicas provide a tangible connection to ancient history. ✨Unique Decor: Enhance your home or office with a touch of prehistoric charm. These fossils make excellent conversation pieces! 👍 Don't Forget to Like, Comment, and Subscribe! If you enjoyed this video, give it a thumbs up, share it with fellow fossil enthusiasts, and subscribe to our channel for more exciting content. Hit the bell icon to get notified about our latest uploads! 📦 Order Yours Today! Visit our website to explore the full range of our Realistic Fossil Replicas. Whether you're adding to your collection or starting a new hobby, you'll find something extraordinary. #dinosaur #fossil #fossilreplica #realisticfossilreplica #dinosaurfossil #creaturefossil #skullfossil #gecaiculture

Percé Rock (Rocher Percé, pierced rock) rises dramatically from the Gulf of St. Lawrence off the tip of Quebec’s Gaspé Peninsula. From some angles it resembles a large ship coming into shore. The rock can be reached on foot from a spit that emerges for ~4 hours at low tide. Percé Rock is a massive Devonian (~400 Mya) sea stack with steep faces on all sides. It is composed of siliceous limestone and interbedded of clastics. It is ~433 m long, ~90 m wide, and ~88 m high at its highest point. Percé Rock loses ~300 tonnes of rock each year to the forces of erosion, and the pace appears to be accelerating. A few years ago, 100 t fell off in a single night. When Jacques Cartier arrived here in 1534, he reported three arches cut by sea waves in the massive rock formation. In time, two of these arches collapsed, with the last one falling in June 1845, leaving a separated pillar like a great obelisk at the end. The remaining arch opening is about 15 m high. The formation was named pierced rock in 1607 by Samuel de Champlain, founder of Québec City, because the arch looked like it had been pierced by a needle. The Devonian rocks in the Gaspé Peninsula formed from sediments deposited in the Iapetus Ocean that existed from the Neoproterozoic into the Paleozoic. The sediments in the basin were deposited in a range of different environments, such as shallow seas, deltas, rivers, lakes, and swamps. The Appalachian Mountains were the product of three separate orogeny’s as the ocean closed, the Taconic (480 to 440 Mya), Acadian (415 to 350 Mya) and Alleghanian (325 to 260 Mya), which together assembled of the supercontinent Pangea. The Acadian Orogeny had the greatest impact on this region and involved a continental collision that brought together Laurentia (proto-North America) and the Avalonia microcontinent. #Geology #nature #Gaspe #Canada

ᴊᴏᴜʀɴᴇʏ ᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜ ᴛɪᴍᴇ: ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴇᴅ ꜱᴇᴀ ᴄᴏᴀꜱᴛ ᴛᴏ ʟᴀᴋᴇ ᴛᴜʀᴋᴀɴᴀ – ᴇxᴘʟᴏʀɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ʙɪʀᴛʜᴘʟᴀᴄᴇ ᴏꜰ ʜᴜᴍᴀɴɪᴛʏ! Embark on an extraordinary geotourism expedition from the Red Sea Coast, where three tectonic plates converge, to Lake Turkana, where the South Omo River concludes. This journey traces the evolution of early humans from the Afar Triangle, home to the 3.2 million-year-old Australopithecus afarensis (Lucy), down the Main Ethiopian Rift (MER), to the Omo Valley, the cradle of modern humans. The adventure begins in the Afar Triangle, a geological wonderland with active volcanoes and significant paleoanthropological sites. As we move southward, we encounter the Rift Valley lakes, each with unique geological and ecological characteristics. In the Melka Kunture area, we find evidence of Stone Age civilizations, with early humans using obsidian tools. Continuing to Southern Ethiopia, the journey highlights the region's rich cultural tapestry and diverse bird life. The geology becomes increasingly complex, with volcanic rocks giving way to Precambrian formations, and the landscape transitioning into a mosaic of faults and basins. The Broadly Rifted Zone near the Kenyan border features Lake Turkana and Lake Chew Bahir, where ancient sediments reveal the presence of early human ancestors. These faulted basins are treasure troves for paleoanthropologists, containing fossils of Homo erectus and Australopithecus robustus, along with evidence of the mammals they hunted. This region is not just a witness to geological evolution but also a vital chapter in the story of human evolution. From the Red Sea Coast to Lake Turkana, this journey is a profound exploration of Earth's dynamic history and humanity's deep-rooted heritage. #VisitEthiopia #LandOfOrigins #travelwithus #BookNow #experiencingyourchoices Visit Ethiopia, Exotic Ethiopian Adventures, Ethiopian Airlines