The Ordovician in New York, US

Paleontology and geology

During the Early Ordovician, the rocks formed in New York were predominantly limestone and dolostone. Later, as sea level dropped, these sedimentary rocks were subjected to intense erosion. Toward the end of the Ordovician, volcanic islands formed along a subduction zone between North America and Western Europe. The islands collided with North America forming the Taconic Mountains in eastern New York and buckling the crust to the west, which deepened part of the sea that covered New York. Layers of volcanic ash were deposited in the sea across New York. Sediment tumbled down the mountain flanks, carried by streams into the inland sea, and formed a large delta—the Queenston Delta. Fossils include trilobites, graptolites, and bryozoans. This map indicates exposures of Ordovician rocks on the northern margins of the state and across the center and extending sourth to New Jersey.

Links to more on the Ordovician in New York

Collecting and Legalities | Organizations | Education and Exhibits | Research and Collections

Where to Collect Fossils (showing 1 of 1 listings)

Penn Dixie Paleontological and Outdoor Education Center: A natural history center, where visitors can collect their own trilobites. The web page includes information on how to get to the site, fossils which can be found there, and other information.

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Museums (showing 1 of 1 listings)

Garvies Point Museum official website: Garvies Point Museum and Preserve is located on Long Island's north shore in New York State. We are a center for regional geology research. Our exhibits deal with regional (Long Island and New York State) geology, fossilization and minerology and the ehnography and archaeology of northeastern Native Americans. Our exhibit "Drifitng Lands and Ancient Seas" details the geology of New York State coordinated with plate tectonics. 

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Virtual Exhibits (showing 1 of 1 listings)

Eurypterids.net: This image-rich website provides a description of eurypterid fossils, sites, and museums. It also includes fossil scorpions and invertebrates often associated with eurypterid faunas.

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Ongoing Research Projects (showing 1 of 1 listings)

Geologic Overview of the Trenton Group at West Canada Creek, New York: This is an NSF funded website that focuses on Charles Walcott's and Tom Whiteley's collections from the Trenton Falls area that are reposited in the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard University. The website covers the Social History, Geology, and Paleontology of the area. The geologic setting and the sedimentary geology are covered in detail and the paleontology section includes descriptions and photographs of fossil specimens.

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