The Tertiary in Washington, US
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Paleontology and geology
The Tertiary was a time of widespread mountain building in Washington and many of the rocks formed during this time are igneous. Marine waters covered the state east of the Cascades during part of this time interval. The sedimentary rocks formed in these waters contain fossils of clams, snails, and crabs, as well as a high diversity of whales and rare marine birds. Coastal swamps were home to a variety of plant and insect life. Fossil leaves, fruit seeds, flowers, and insects occur in great abundance in some of the rocks formed in these swamps. Footprints and rare teeth indicate that small mammals roamed the landscape.
Links to more on the Tertiary in Washington
Parks (showing 1 of 1 listings)
Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park: This park protects the remains of Miocene trees that were caught in a basalt field. Many different species of trees were preserved. It includes an Interpretive Center.
Museums (showing 1 of 1 listings)
Museum and Arts Center: Small natural history and art musuem in Sequim, WA on the Olympic Peninsula. Has fossils of the Manis Mastodon which was discovered with a bone projectile point. Other fossils include local molluscs.
