Discover the Devonian Fossil Gorge in Coralville, Iowa
The Devonian Fossil Gorge is located in Coralville, Iowa along the Iowa River. The Devonian Fossil Gorge was revealed during the flood of 1993 when water spilled over the Dam Spillway for 28 days. The power of the water washed away the campground previously located where the Devonian Fossil Gorge is today, and an estimated 17 feet of soil, exposing a Devonian age seafloor beneath.
What is the Devonian Fossil Gorge?
The Devonian Fossil Gorge is a 375-year old sea floor featuring the fossil remains of life that once resided in this warm sea over the state of Iowa. The fossils found here are nearly 200 years older than those of the first dinosaurs.
The rock consists of limestone which used to reside on the sea floor. Embedded in the limestone along with fossils are crystals of calcite. These crystals sparkle in the sunlight and add interest to this historic area.
The Devonian Fossil Gorge features several areas that allow visitors to get a good view of various fossils. The Biostrome Plaza features a densely packed ledge containing a biostrome composed of layers of fossils.
Other areas feature creviced limestone or crinoids fossils which were actually animals related to starfish. The crinoids lived on the Devonian sea floor and connected themselves with their flexible segmented stem.
Other fossils commonly found at the Devonian Fossil Gorge include Brachiopods which are clam-like fossils. Colonial coral can be found throughout the area as well. Colonial coral lived in groups at the bottom of the Devonian sea.
If you go to the Devonian Fossil Gorge
The Flood of 2008 once again resulted in water pouring over the spillways and into the Devonian Fossil Gorge. Some of the area remains under repair. But as the floods of 1993 revealed the Devonian Fossil Gorge, the Flood of 2008 has created new areas to explore.
Devonian Fossil Gorge Visitor Center
The Coralville Dam was completed in 1958 by the US Army Corps of Engineers. There is a visitor center located on the east end of the park across the Dam. The visitor center provides a collection of some of the fossils found at the Devonian Fossil Gorge and also features about the geology of this area in Iowa. If you visit, be sure to leave the fossils behind. Removal or damage to the fossils can result in a hefty fine.
Sources: http://www.igsb.uiowa.edu/browse/spillway/spillway.htm
Published by Wendy Roltgen
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1 Comments
Post a CommentThe description lists the ages of this fossil bed as 200-375 years ago. It should read 200 million.