gjsentinel.com
The problem of not being able to trace where paleo resources originated may be solved soon, with scientists developing methods of studying the chemistry of fossils and using that information to track where they came from.
gjsentinel.com
For two years, ReBecca Hunt-Foster helped sweep the layers of dirt away, revealing the prehistoric treasures preserved below. With careful determination, the paleontologists uncovered millions of years of dust and silt, exposing the cache.
With all the new dinosaurs being discovered these days, some of the ol’ timers are not to be forgotten. Take a look at the Marshosaurus, an ancient Jurassic predator.
phenomena.nationalgeographic.com
I’ve spilled more than a little digital ink over the top carnivores of the Jurassic west. Allosaurus, Ceratosaurus, and Torvosaurus are all very dinosaur-y dinosaurs, checking the boxes for big, scary, and strange. But as I’ve poked around the Morrison Formation bones held at the Natural History Museum of Utah over the past few weeks, I realized I’ve done a disservice to ancient ecology by focusing on the flesh-rippers of the most imposing stature. There was an entire guild of Jurassic carnivores running around North America around 150 million years ago, and one of the least-known – at least to the public – is a mid-sized carnivore named Marshosaurus bicentesimus.
phenomena.nationalgeographic.com
By now you’ve probably heard about the giant “raptor” uncovered in South Dakota. The dinosaur’s discovery came as quite a shock. For the past century Tyrannosaurus rex has dominated our imaginations as the sole apex predator of the Hell Creek Formation, but Dakotaraptor steini, as Robert DePalma and coauthors dubbed the dinosaurs, was large enough to compete for flesh with young tyrannosaurs.
Utah dinosaurs may be going international with the possibility of a “Dinosaurs of Utah Museum” in Japan.
ksl.com
It’s enough to make Godzilla proud.
smithsonianmag.com
newly discovered winged raptor may have belonged to a lineage of dinosaurs that grew large after losing the ability to fly. But being grounded likely didn’t stop this sickle-clawed killer from making good use of its feathered frame—based on the fossilized bones, paleontologists think this raptor could have used the unusually long feathers on its arms as a shield or to help pin down squirming prey.
phys.org
An undergraduate University of Alberta paleontology student has discovered an Ornithomimus dinosaur with preserved tail feathers and soft tissue. The discovery is shedding light on the convergent evolution of these dinosaurs with ostriches and emus relating to thermoregulation and is also tightening the linkages between dinosaurs and modern birds.
gizmodo.com.au
There’s never been a better time to be a dinosaur hunter — or, if you can’t get your boots out in the field, a fossil fan. Paleontologists are announcing a new species of dinosaur at the rate of about one every two weeks. But are we ever going to find them all?
smithsonianmag.com
The dinosaur scanned the rocky ground and scrubby trees around for something to eat. Standing about 15 feet tall and 20 feet long from nose to tail, the powerful Jurassic-age was a predator on the prowl. If no meat could be found, the giant beast had other options—a plentiful cafeteria in the form of a valley dotted with trees, shrubs, ferns and mosses.
The Natural History Museum of Utah is bringing dinosaur bones to life. Learn more about their new project!
dailyutahchronicle.com
Want to see a dinosaur face-to-face?
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UTAH GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
The Utah Geological Survey (UGS) is a division of the Utah Department of Natural Resources. Several specialized programs comprise the UGS: Data Management, Energy & Minerals, Geologic Hazards, Geologic Information & Outreach, Geologic Mapping, Groundwater & Wetlands, and Paleontology.
QUICK LINKS
CONTACT INFORMATION
1594 West North Temple, Suite 3110
Salt Lake City, Utah 84116
801-537-3300 (phone)
801-537-3400 (fax)
Mailing Address:
PO BOX 146100
Salt Lake City, Utah 84114
HOURS
Monday through Friday,
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
