The Jurassic in Colorado, US

Jurassic in Colorado map

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Jurassic Fossils
Fossil photos from Jurassic in Colorado

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Paleontology and geology

Little sediment accumulated in Colorado during the early Jurassic, but the deposition of Morrison Formation sediments in the Late Jurassic finally covered the last remnants of the Ancestral Rockies. The Morrison Formation formed as a series of streams, lakes, and rivers traced across the region, depositing a thick sequence of sandstone and mudstone. Fossil dinosaur bones were first discovered near the town of Morrison, just west of Denver, in 1877. This discovery soon led to others, and it became apparent that the Late Jurassic was a time of large dinosaurs. Major quarries in western Colorado have yielded many kinds of large sauropods, as well as smaller dinosaurs such as stegosaurs, allosaurs, ceratosaurs, and camptosaurs. Subsequent discoveries of fossil plants, mammals, lizards, and plants make the Morrsion one of the most famous formations in the world.

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Organizations | Education and Exhibits

Organizations

Museums (showing 1 of 1 listings)

Museum of Western Colorado's Dinosaur Journey: Provides information on visiting the museum, as well as the paleontology of western Colorado and surrounding areas.

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Education and Exhibits

Virtual Exhibits (showing 1 of 1 listings)

Ancient Denvers: Ancient Denvers is a virtual exhibit that highlights 13 reconstructions of ancient Colorado landscapes.

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