This Earthcache will take you to a remarkably preserved set of
fossil tracks called Climactichnites. These particular sets of
fossil tracks were laid down by what palaeontologists believe was a
large slug-like creature, without a skeleton, which fed by sucking
microbes from the damp sand as it crawled along.
How Fossil Tracks are formed
Unlike body fossils, which often are best preserved when they
are buried rapidly, tracks are more likely to be well preserved
when they are buried in a relatively slow, calm manner. For this
reason, tracks and bones are seldom found in close association.
There are two main ways in which tracks can be formed and
preserved. The classic scenario is as follows. First, a trackmaker
walks along a moist but firm, fine-grained sediment. Then the
tracks remain exposed for a short while, allowing them to become
drier and harder (and thus able to resist damage during subsequent
burial). A short time later the prints are gently buried with
additional sediment, preferably of a contrasting type (which would
allow the layers to separate when later reexposed). While buried
for millions of years, the original sediment lithofies (turns into
rock). Finally, the tracks are re-exposed in modern times by
erosion or other forces. Of course, the tracks also must be found
and studied before they are destroyed by weathering, quarry
workers, or other dangers. Tracks formed under less ideal
conditions tend to be distorted or indistinct, if preserved at
all.
To log this cache, please email the answers to the
following:
What most likely helped preserve these tracks?
What is the average width of the tracks?
What is the average number of ripples per linear foot of
track?