The Triassic in Nevada, US

Triassic in Nevada map

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Triassic Fossils
Fossil photos from Triassic in Nevada

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Paleontology and geology

A sea covered much of the western and central part of Nevada during the Triassic. Throughout the northern and central region, fine-grained limy mud accumulated on the continental shelf in water depths of 100 meters or more. Ichthyosaurs and ammonites swam about in this region and their fossils are found in abundance in the limestone formed from these sediments. One of the most famous sites for Triassic ammonoids occurs in the Great Basin Desert in central Nevada. To the south, the sea had receded and red sand dunes accumulated in inland deserts. Renewed tectonic processes created the Sonoma Mountains as deep ocean sediments were thrust eastward, up and over the eroded remnants of an older mountain range (the Antler Mountains). Volcanic islands developed offshore, farther to the west and north.

Links to more on the Triassic in Nevada

Organizations | Education and Exhibits | Resources

Organizations

Parks (showing 1 of 1 listings)

Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park: This park was first established in 1957 to protect and display North America's most abundant concentration of, and largest known, ichthyosaur fossils.

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Education and Exhibits

Virtual Exhibits (showing 1 of 1 listings)

A Visit To Ammonite Canyon, Nevada: A virtual field trip to a world-famous late Triassic-early Jurassic fossil locality; detailed text; on-site images; images of fossils.

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Events and Programs (showing 1 of 1 listings)

Late Triassic Ichthyosaur And Invertebrate Fossils In Nevada: Virtual field trips to two classic fossil localities in the Upper Triassic Luning Formation of Nevada; detailed text; on-site images; photos of fossils.

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Resources

Field Guides (showing 1 of 1 listings)

Early Triassic Ammonoid Fossils In Nevada: A virtual field trip to what could well be the single best early Triassic ammonoid locality in North America; detailed text; images of fossils; on-site images.

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Courses and Lectures (showing 1 of 1 listings)

Paleogeography of the Southwestern U.S.: The paleogeography of the southwestern U.S. from 1.8 billion years ago to 10 million years ago. Text and images by Dr. Ron Blakey from Northern Arizona University.

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Image Collections (showing 1 of 1 listings)

Some Fossil Brachiopods: Images of several fossil brachiopods, dating in geologic age from early Cambrian to Pleistocene, with explanatory text.

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General Reference (showing 1 of 1 listings)

Middle Triassic Ammonoids From Nevada: A virtual visit to a world-famous fossil ammonoid locality in Nevada roughly 235 million years old--it could well be the single best middle Triassic ammonoid locality in the world; many images of fossils; on-site images.

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