Badlands Fossil Walk Earthcache EarthCache
Badlands Fossil Walk Earthcache
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The Fossil Exhibit and Trail are located 5 miles north west of the park headquarters and Ben Reifel Visitor Center on the Badlands loop road. The Fossil Walk trail is a short quarter of a mile hike, wheel chair accessible. Visit the parks website or guide for information on the schedule for Ranger lead talks held at this site twice daily during the summer (end of May to mid September).
Summer 2020 - watch out for road construction, this area is still closed as of mid June, plan accordingly.
Get ready to take a walk back in time 75 million years!
The White River Badlands area in southwest South Dakota are one of the best places in the world to study and understand the effects of erosion. It is here that geology and life of the past connect themselves with the present. For approximately 30 million years, layers of muds, sands, gravels and ashes were laid down across this vast area. In those layers are fossils of many different prehistoric animals preserved for us to study. About 500,000 years ago erosion began to outpace the deposits, leaving colorful spires resembling castles or distant cityscapes.
Fossils in the Badlands tell a story of strange climates and of strange animals of the jungles, rivers, marshes and plains. The remains of camels, crocodiles, sabre-toothed cats and three-toed horses no bigger than the average dog have all been uncovered. Larger archaeology digs have unearthed the bones of dinosaurs and rhinoceroses. Much of the area within the badlands is level and fertile. It is covered with native grasses due to efforts to reclaim areas that were taken over by toxic weeds. In the late 1800’s buffalo and big horned sheep were hunted to near extinction in this area. To revive the look of that time period, the National Park Service has reintroduced these animals to the park. A variety of other creatures roam the area. They include prairie dogs, porcupines, mice, cottontail and jackrabbits, bull snakes, racers, prairie rattlers, antelope, eagles and coyotes. Most of the land was homesteaded years ago. Some settlers’ descendants still live on ranches and run good sized herds of cattle and sheep.
Simply put, a fossil is a preserved sign of ancient life. Paleontologists study animal tracks and plants preserved over time, as well as bones that have been converted into fossils through natural chemical processes. Additionally, other signs such as feces and pollen have also been fossilized and have been studied to help get a broader picture of life in prehistoric North America. The area in and around Badlands National Park has had a long association with research on fossil vertebrates. Scientists have been using this area as an outdoor laboratory for over 150 years.
Answers must be sent in before the find is logged or about the same time. Logs without answers will be deleted without warning within 12-24 hours.
To get credit for this cache send an email with the following information to the owner:
1 - How many people are in your group?
2 - How old are these fossils, when did these animals live in this area?
3 - Are all the fossils found in the same layer?
4 - What type of fossils are the oldest and what type of climate was present?
5 - How many fossil reproductions are found here… which one is your favorite?
Feel free to post a picture, but do not show anything that would be an answer to the above questions.
Thanks
Want to learn more about fossils and the research that is being done here in the Badlands? Visit the Ben Reifel Visitor Center and check out the exhibits and book store.
Credit: NPS
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