Groundbreaking Discovery of Oldest Cretaceous Plesiosaur in Alberta Region: Unveiling the Prehistoric World
Introducing a groundbreaking discovery! Scientists have uncovered the oldest Cretaceous plesiosaur to date in the Alberta region. With previous fossil findings of this marine reptile in the area, this exciting discovery is a testament to the rich history and evolution of our planet's past.
In an unexpected turn of events, Jenna's keen eye and determination led to a remarkable find during her first dayshift back at the Syncrude Mildred Lake Mine. A contrasting pattern in the oil sand caught her attention, and upon closer inspection, she made an incredible discovery that will forever change our understanding of the prehistoric world.
“I kept staring at this little chunk of dirt. As a shovel operator, we’re trained to see things that are out of the ordinary. We take a lot of pride in our pit and keeping the area clean,” said Jenna, a 16-year employee.
“I called my leader and asked to have geology look and confirm. We made the decision to move the shovel just in case it was an actual fossil.”
Attention all history buffs and fossil enthusiasts! A remarkable discovery has been made that will take you on a journey through time. The Mildred Lake Geology team stumbled upon an incredible find that left them in awe. Knowing that they had something special on their hands, they reached out to the renowned Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology to ensure that this piece of Alberta's history would be identified and preserved for generations to come.
Hold on to your hats folks, because this fossil is older than dirt! The intact piece of a plesiosaur tail that was discovered dates back approximately 115 million years ago. During this time, the mining area would have been submerged in a vast shallow sea that spanned northern Alberta. But wait, it gets even more intriguing! The fossil was found in a layer of bitumen-rich ore that is typically found higher up in rock layers. This unusual discovery has left scientists puzzled and has shed new light on the evolution of our planet.
The location and condition of the fossil have given us a glimpse into the past that is truly fascinating. It's possible that the ancient marine reptile died in the inland sea and washed up into shallow water, becoming a feast for other predators such as dinosaurs. This discovery has opened up a whole new world of questions and possibilities about the prehistoric era, and we can't wait to see what other mysteries will be uncovered in the future.
“This one may have been buried in a storm, which put a great deal of sand on top of the carcass all at once. This presents very unusual preservation conditions,” says Dr. Donald Henderson, Curator of Dinosaurs at the museum. “It’s so rare for things to become fossils, especially big things such as marine reptiles and dinosaurs. It’s only the fact that we’re shifting so much rock here, that we’re fortunate to see this small piece of fossil.”
Join us on an exciting adventure as we explore the remarkable efforts of the Mine Operations team! After discovering a significant fossil, they went above and beyond to ensure that no stone was left unturned in their search for any missing fragments.
To achieve this, they collected and spread the surrounding oil sand into rows, providing a clear and organized approach for the geologists and paleontology field technicians. These dedicated individuals spent countless hours sifting through the material with a fine-tooth comb in search of any tiny pieces that may have separated from the main fossil.
And then, a breakthrough! After a tireless effort, a small piece of vertebrae was discovered by none other than a geology co-op student. This momentous discovery has not only contributed to our understanding of the prehistoric era but has also highlighted the invaluable work and commitment of these teams. We can't wait to see what other treasures they will uncover in their quest for knowledge!
“As we were digging, I found something similar to bone, but thought it could be something else,” says Ruachwaar Gatwech, who is in his third year of geological studies at the University of British Columbia. “The senior geologist thought it would be a good experience for me and another co-op student to come to the site. It was quite an experience. It’s my first time in the mine, first time to see and find an actual fossil in the field.”
Get ready to be amazed by the extraordinary efforts of the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology team! After fully examining the fossil and identifying its significance, they knew that it was crucial to transport it back to the museum for further examination and preservation.
To ensure the safe transportation of this precious piece of history, they employed a unique technique similar to a human bone cast. This technique allowed for a close fit of plaster to the fossil without any risk of damaging the fragile bone. With this level of protection, the fossil was ready for the journey back to the museum in Drumheller, approximately 650 kilometers south of Fort McMurray.
And let's not forget to give credit where credit is due! Jenna and her shovel team played a crucial role in the collection of this incredible piece of history. With pride and satisfaction, she knows that she has made a significant contribution to the world's understanding of the prehistoric era. This is a moment that will go down in history, and we can't wait to see what other discoveries will be made in the future!
“I’m really excited because if the fossil ends up being displayed at the museum, I’ll get to show my one-year-old son what mom found,” she says. “Not every shovel operator gets to find one, so it’s pretty cool that I’m one of the few.”
Get ready to be transported back in time as we explore the remarkable history of fossil discoveries at Syncrude sites! It all began in 1994 when the first fossil was discovered, and since then, over a dozen more have been identified.
But that's not all - the Suncor sites have also been a hotbed of prehistoric finds. In 2011, the discovery of Alberta's oldest dinosaur, a nodosaur, at Base Plant caused quite a stir in the paleontology world.
These finds are a testament to the incredible richness of prehistoric life in the area and have contributed significantly to our understanding of the world as it was millions of years ago. We can't wait to see what other treasures lie buried beneath the surface, waiting to be discovered by the skilled teams working tirelessly to uncover them. Stay tuned for more exciting discoveries!
In an unexpected turn of events, Jenna's keen eye and determination led to a remarkable find during her first dayshift back at the Syncrude Mildred Lake Mine. A contrasting pattern in the oil sand caught her attention, and upon closer inspection, she made an incredible discovery that will forever change our understanding of the prehistoric world.
“I kept staring at this little chunk of dirt. As a shovel operator, we’re trained to see things that are out of the ordinary. We take a lot of pride in our pit and keeping the area clean,” said Jenna, a 16-year employee.
“I called my leader and asked to have geology look and confirm. We made the decision to move the shovel just in case it was an actual fossil.”
Attention all history buffs and fossil enthusiasts! A remarkable discovery has been made that will take you on a journey through time. The Mildred Lake Geology team stumbled upon an incredible find that left them in awe. Knowing that they had something special on their hands, they reached out to the renowned Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology to ensure that this piece of Alberta's history would be identified and preserved for generations to come.
Hold on to your hats folks, because this fossil is older than dirt! The intact piece of a plesiosaur tail that was discovered dates back approximately 115 million years ago. During this time, the mining area would have been submerged in a vast shallow sea that spanned northern Alberta. But wait, it gets even more intriguing! The fossil was found in a layer of bitumen-rich ore that is typically found higher up in rock layers. This unusual discovery has left scientists puzzled and has shed new light on the evolution of our planet.
The location and condition of the fossil have given us a glimpse into the past that is truly fascinating. It's possible that the ancient marine reptile died in the inland sea and washed up into shallow water, becoming a feast for other predators such as dinosaurs. This discovery has opened up a whole new world of questions and possibilities about the prehistoric era, and we can't wait to see what other mysteries will be uncovered in the future.
“This one may have been buried in a storm, which put a great deal of sand on top of the carcass all at once. This presents very unusual preservation conditions,” says Dr. Donald Henderson, Curator of Dinosaurs at the museum. “It’s so rare for things to become fossils, especially big things such as marine reptiles and dinosaurs. It’s only the fact that we’re shifting so much rock here, that we’re fortunate to see this small piece of fossil.”
Join us on an exciting adventure as we explore the remarkable efforts of the Mine Operations team! After discovering a significant fossil, they went above and beyond to ensure that no stone was left unturned in their search for any missing fragments.
To achieve this, they collected and spread the surrounding oil sand into rows, providing a clear and organized approach for the geologists and paleontology field technicians. These dedicated individuals spent countless hours sifting through the material with a fine-tooth comb in search of any tiny pieces that may have separated from the main fossil.
And then, a breakthrough! After a tireless effort, a small piece of vertebrae was discovered by none other than a geology co-op student. This momentous discovery has not only contributed to our understanding of the prehistoric era but has also highlighted the invaluable work and commitment of these teams. We can't wait to see what other treasures they will uncover in their quest for knowledge!
“As we were digging, I found something similar to bone, but thought it could be something else,” says Ruachwaar Gatwech, who is in his third year of geological studies at the University of British Columbia. “The senior geologist thought it would be a good experience for me and another co-op student to come to the site. It was quite an experience. It’s my first time in the mine, first time to see and find an actual fossil in the field.”
Get ready to be amazed by the extraordinary efforts of the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology team! After fully examining the fossil and identifying its significance, they knew that it was crucial to transport it back to the museum for further examination and preservation.
To ensure the safe transportation of this precious piece of history, they employed a unique technique similar to a human bone cast. This technique allowed for a close fit of plaster to the fossil without any risk of damaging the fragile bone. With this level of protection, the fossil was ready for the journey back to the museum in Drumheller, approximately 650 kilometers south of Fort McMurray.
And let's not forget to give credit where credit is due! Jenna and her shovel team played a crucial role in the collection of this incredible piece of history. With pride and satisfaction, she knows that she has made a significant contribution to the world's understanding of the prehistoric era. This is a moment that will go down in history, and we can't wait to see what other discoveries will be made in the future!
“I’m really excited because if the fossil ends up being displayed at the museum, I’ll get to show my one-year-old son what mom found,” she says. “Not every shovel operator gets to find one, so it’s pretty cool that I’m one of the few.”
Get ready to be transported back in time as we explore the remarkable history of fossil discoveries at Syncrude sites! It all began in 1994 when the first fossil was discovered, and since then, over a dozen more have been identified.
But that's not all - the Suncor sites have also been a hotbed of prehistoric finds. In 2011, the discovery of Alberta's oldest dinosaur, a nodosaur, at Base Plant caused quite a stir in the paleontology world.
These finds are a testament to the incredible richness of prehistoric life in the area and have contributed significantly to our understanding of the world as it was millions of years ago. We can't wait to see what other treasures lie buried beneath the surface, waiting to be discovered by the skilled teams working tirelessly to uncover them. Stay tuned for more exciting discoveries!
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