This is an Earthcache. There is no physical container at the posted coordinates, but rather a geological lesson for you to explore. Please review the information on the cache page, then make your way to Ground Zero to make your observations and answer the three questions below. Email your answers to the cache owner by clicking the "message this owner" button above, and once complete, you can log this cache.

Thanks and happy caching!

QUESTIONS

1. Why are fossils important for helping scientists piece together the history of things like prehistoric forests?

2. Pick any of the six fossils shown here and tell me the appoximate size, shape, color, and texture of the rock as well the type of fossil and how you think fossilization occured.

(Optional) Post a picture of yourself with the monument in the background.

Over 300 million years ago during the Carboniferous Period, the landscape of what is now West Virginia looked much different. During the Pennsylvanian sub-period (323.2-298.9 million years ago), vast forests of strange looking plants surrounded shallow swamps. Over time, layers of these woody plants built up since bacteria and fungi had not developed the ability to break down lignin. This created coal beds for West Virginia is so well known. Understanding these prehistoric plants and animals helps put the evolution of today's species into context. Scientists can even look at cellular structures in some well-preserved fossils!

This earthcache will bring you to a rare collection of fossils located in the West Virginia Botanic Garden. Using information provided as well as observations from the location, please answer the two questions. I hope you enjoy your short walk around the underground forest!

What are fossils?

Fossils form when plants, animals, or other organisms are buried under sediment shortly after death. Over time, layers of sediment accumulate, compressing the remains and surrounding material. As this sediment is subjected to pressure and heat, it transforms into sedimentary rock. During this process, the organic material in the remains may decay, leaving behind a mold, or minerals can seep into the remains and replace the original structure in a process called permineralization. This mineralization preserves the organism’s shape and details, embedding the fossil within the rock and creating a record of ancient life. (Reference)

Why is this area great for fossils?

West Virginia is an excellent location for fossils due to its rich geological history, which spans hundreds of millions of years. During the Paleozoic Era, much of the region was covered by shallow seas, swamps, and deltas, creating ideal conditions for the preservation of fossils. The sedimentary rocks in the state, such as limestone, shale, and sandstone, were deposited during this time and often contain fossils of ancient marine life like brachiopods, crinoids, and trilobites, as well as plant fossils from the lush Carboniferous coal swamps. West Virginia’s accessible rock outcrops and coal mines also make it easier to discover and study these fossils, offering a window into the state’s ancient ecosystems. (Reference)

Types of Fossils (Reference)

• Body Fossils:
  These include the preserved physical remains of an organism, such as bones, shells, teeth, or plant parts. They provide direct evidence of what the organism looked like.

• Trace Fossils:
  These are indirect evidence of an organism's activities, such as footprints, burrows, nests, or feces (coprolites). Trace fossils reveal the behavior and interactions of ancient life.

• Molds and Casts:
  

  • Mold: A hollow impression left in rock when an organism decays.
  • Cast: A filled-in replica of the mold, created when minerals or sediment fill the impression.