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Geology Summer Digs Missouri
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| Title | Geology Summer Digs Missouri |
| Digitaization Specification | Master file format: ? bytes, application/doc, Uncompressed, DOC, ; Checksum: ; Adobe Photoshop CS3 |
| Transcript | Office of University Relations SDSM& T News 501 E. St. Joseph Street • Rapid City, SD 57701- 3995 Phone: ( 605) 394- 6082/ 2554 • Fax: ( 605) 394- 6177 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: ( August 6, 1998) SDSM& T MUSEUM OF GEOLOGY TO DIG FOR MARINE TURTLES, MOSASAURS AND PLESIOSAURS ALONG THE MISSOURI RIVER IN AUGUST During the month of August the SDSM& T Museum of Geology will be excavating for marine turtles, mosasaurs, plesiosaurs and other Late Cretaceous fossils at an important paleontological site along the Missouri River near Chamberlain. Scientists James Martin, David Parris and Gorden Bell will lead the two SDSM& T field paleontology sessions from August 3- 14 and August 17- 28. The excavations will be conducted in an area where the SDSM& T Museum of Geology previously made the important scientific discovery of Archelon, a giant marine turtle that lived toward the end of the Age of Dinosaurs. The shell of this largest known sea turtle measures 12 feet across. Numerous sea reptiles, especially mosasaurs, have been found in the area along the Missouri River where SDSM& T paleontologists will be excavating. Sea life at the end of the dinosaur age was dominated by mosasaurs and plesiosaurs. Mosasaurs were giant, large- toothed marine reptiles that are distant relatives of modern- day lizards. They inhabited the shallow seas that covered the Great Plains from the Gulf of Mexico to the Arctic during the Late Cretaceous period between 90 to 65 million years ago. " These ferocious mosasaurs were top dog in the water, " says Dr. James Martin, SDSM& T Museum of Geology Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology and Professor of Geology. " A T- rex wouldn't stand a chance in the water against a mosasaur." A previous dig at this Missouri River site yielded an especially significant discovery of baby mosasaur remains found among the pelvic area of the mother specimen. This is the first definite evidence that these lizard- like creatures gave live birth to their young. SDSM& T's field paleontology program attracts students, teachers and others from across the nation each summer. The public can participate on a limited, space- available basis. To register for SDSM& T field digs or obtain additional information, individuals should contact Dr. Philip Bjork, SDSM& T Museum of Geology, at 1- 800- 544- 8162, ext. 2467, or via email: pbjork@ msmailgw. sdsmt. edu. ++ 30++ ( Media Advisory: The media are invited to visit the field dig site on Tuesday, August 11th. If you are interested in doing an on- site story, please be at the American Creek Campground in Chamberlain at 8: 00 am next Tuesday morning to hook up with SDSM& T officials and follow them to the site. If you have any questions, call Julie Smoragiewicz at 394- 5146.) ( f:\ programs\ dept\ univrel\ pressrele\ 0898\ Geology Summer Digs Missouri River fax/ stwd) |
| Creator | South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. University Relations; |
| Subject | South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. Museum of Geology; |
| Local Subject | South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
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| Digital Publisher | South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. Devereaux Library
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| Date | 1998-08-06 |
| Type | Text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Language | eng |
| Relation | Is part of Office of University Relations SDSM&T News Collection |
| Rights | The work from which this copy was made did not include a formal copyright notice. This work may be protected by U. S. copyright law (Title 17, United States Code), which governs reproduction, distribution, public display, and other uses of protected works. Uses may be allowed with permission from the copyright holder, if the copyright on the work has expired, or if the use is fair use or within another legal exemption. The user of this work is responsible for compliance with the law. |
| Submitting Institution | Devereaux Library. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. |
| Date Digital | 2009 |
| CONTENTdm number | 1351 |
| CONTENTdm file name | 1352.pdf |
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