Hands-on: Paleontology and Geology in the Land of Color

Instructors: Bill Parker and Christa Sadler

Petrified Forest National Park is deservedly known as one of the best records of Late Triassic paleontology and geology in the world. New paleontological discoveries are made with impressive regularity, expanding the knowledge of this seminal time in the history of life on our planet. In addition, the archaeological record at the park is an important piece of the regional prehistory. Moreover, it is one of the most beautiful and fantastical landscapes anywhere!

Join Petrified Forest NP paleontologist William Parker and paleontologist Christa Sadler for a hands-on exploration of the geology and paleontology of some of the newly acquired park lands. We will car-camp in a remote area of the park – one which does not receive tourist visitation – and will prospect in the surrounding badlands for new fossil localities and excavate fossils at a known locality. We will also have time to explore the region for petroglyphs, incredible scenery and whatever else we discover.

Class Categories

Paleontology

Geology

Itinerary

• Day 1 – Meet at Rainbow Forest Museum & Visitor Center; orientation and introductions; carpool to the work area and set up camp
• Day 2 – Fieldwork
• Day 3 – Fieldwork
• Day 4 – Fieldwork
• Day 5 – Fieldwork
• Day 6 – Wrap-up fieldwork, travel back to Visitor Center

Class Notes

This class is a collaboration between Petrified Forest and the Grand Canyon Association Field Institute. View gear list, more information and register at the Grand Canyon Association Field Institute.