The Cambrian in New York, US

Paleontology and geology

When the Grenville mountain-building episodes ended in the late Precambrian, a long period of erosion followed. During the same time, the Iapetus Ocean opened and widened as the Precambrian supercontinent broke apart, creating small rift basins. These basins filled with sediments eroding off the Grenville Mountains. Early Cambrian rocks formed from these sediments are exposed in several places around the Adirondack Dome in New York. During the Late Cambrian, global sea level rose, flooding New York and most of the Northeast with a shallow sea. Sedimentary rocks were formed from sands, silt, and clay deposited in this sea. This map indicates exposures of Cambrian rocks in the northern and eastern parts of the state.

Links to more on the Cambrian in New York

Collecting and Legalities | Organizations

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.

Top of List

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. 

Top of List