Bernheim's Fossil Forest EarthCache
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(other)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
The scientific name for the group of fossils you will see at the posted coordinates is Callixylon Newberryi which is a primitive conifer that dates back to the Devonian Geologic Period. The Devonian period is considered the time period when trees first evolved. The Callixylon is a member of the extinct order of tree like plants named Archaeopteridales. These plants with fern like leaves are estimated to be 350 to 375 Million years old making them among the worlds oldest trees.
Callixylon Newberryi are found in the New Albany Shale formation. The New Albany shale is a thin bedded black shale that was deposited in the Upper Devonian. New Albany Shale outcroppings appear in several places throughout Bernheim Forest. |
|
|
These Tree fossils had an interesting trip getting to their current location. They were found in Bernheim and surrounding area over the years then brought here, but how did they get to their find locations? These large and very heavy fossils were at one time prehistoric driftwood. Callixylon once grew in a large forest located in what is now the New York and Pennsylvania area . Wood from fallen trees drifted across a continental sea becoming water logged and sinking to the seafloor. Eventually they were buried by sediment on the seafloor and preserved because of lack of oxygen. Over time while the wood lay covered by mud and silt the organic material of the wood was replaced by silicate material such as quartz. The end result was the creation of some very heavy rocks with recovered specimens to date weighing up to a half ton. Callixylon most likely grew in Kentucky during the Devonian period but in limited numbers since most of Kentucky then was covered by a shallow tropical sea.
|
|
Callixylon Newberryi
|
Archaeopteris Fossil
|
| A relative of Callixlon is Archaeopteris. These tree like plants had leaves similar to ferns. For many years scientists classified Archaeopteris as a separate genus than Callixylonin under the order of Archaeopteridales.. In the 1960s, paleontologists were able to demonstrate that the fossil wood known as Callixylon and the petrified fern leaf imprints known as Archaeopteris were actually part of the same plant. This plant no matter what it is called has turned out to be the link between trees and ferns.
|
|
|
To get credit for this Earthcache please answer the following questions in an email to Mooseky@gmail.com .
Questions:
1. The group of fossil tree specimens you will find at the posted coordinates are estimated to be how old.?
2. There are two large rocks on the right side of the back door to the Education Center. The rock nearest the door is one of the largest of this type you will find in Kentucky. What kind of rock do you think it is?
3. What does this rock have in common with the Petrified Wood found here.
4. The largest of the tree fossils on display at Bernheim Education center is located nearby at N37 54.986 W85 39.425. How Tall is this fossilized tree specimen.
Bernheim Forest is a sanctuary. No removal of natural resources such as plants, flowers, rocks, and fossils is allowed.
References:
The Geology Of Bernheim Forest by Ruth G. Browne – 1958.
The Geologic Story Of Bernheim Forest by Preston McGrain - 1967.
|
 |
|
This cache has been approved by Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest
Please reference Bernheim Arboretum And Research Forest website for additional information and current operating hours which varies by season. There is no admission fee to Bernheim on Monday through Friday. On Saturday, Sunday and Holidays there is a $5 environmental impact fee per passenger car, mini van, or motorcycle. This fee is to help defray the cost of operating this private trust non-profit foundation natural area that was given as gift to the people of Kentucky by Issac W. Bernheim.
|
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)