Monthly Archives: March 2017
The last ‘caimans’ living in Spain
Sixteen million years ago, the reptile Diplocynodon ratelii lived in wooded ecosystems among the lakes and pools of what we know today as Catalonia (Spain). Fossils found at the Els Casots site in the Vallès-Penedès Basin confirm not only that … Continue reading
bijoux-et-mineraux: Smoky Alligator Quartz – Divino das…
bijoux-et-mineraux: Smoky Alligator Quartz – Divino das Laranjeires, Minas Gerais, Brazil Geology Nerd
Fossils protecting the coastline at Barton-on-Sea
Many people regard fossils, quite rightly, as rare and exotic objects. Yet how often do people come into contact with palaeontological remains without appreciating it? Probably the easiest example to cite is that of quarried stone, either appearing as facing … Continue reading
A decorated raven bone discovered in Crimea may provide insight into Neanderthal cognition
The cognitive abilities of Neanderthals are debated, but a raven bone fragment found at the Zaskalnaya VI (ZSK) site in Crimea features two notches that may have been made by Neanderthals intentionally to display a visually consistent pattern, according to … Continue reading
Tagged Crimea, discovered, Into, Neanderthal
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See the World’s Largest Collection of Fluorescent Rocks
Inside the Rainbow Tunnel. Credit: Jeff Glover And get glowing in this mine’s Rainbow Tunnel In a New Jersey mine spanning 2,670 vertical feet—more than twice as deep as the Empire State Building is tall—visitors might notice a little glow. … Continue reading
earthstory: Galena on quartz. This grey sulphide is the most…
earthstory: Galena on quartz. This grey sulphide is the most common source of lead, usually found as plain grey veins or lumps. Sometimes though, a lovely museum grade specimen emerges from the Earth to delight our eyes. It often contains … Continue reading
New dinosaur species sheds light on evolution, provides facial makeover for tyrannosaurs
Scientists have discovered a new relative of T. rex that is the geologically youngest species of the lineage called Daspletosaurus, the ‘frightful lizards’. The new species of dinosaur, Daspletosaurus horneri, evolved directly from its geologically older relative, D. torosus. The … Continue reading
Posted in Paleontology
Tagged dinosaur, Evolution, facial, light, sheds, species, Tyrannosaurs
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Rocks that tell our industrial history
Researchers have published a study in which they analyze beachrocks, cemented sand formations that have industrial waste, produced as a result of metallurgical activities, trapped inside them. These strange rocks bear witness to the impact of industrial development and its … Continue reading
underthescopemineral: Minrecordite,…
underthescopemineral: Minrecordite, Dioptase CaZn(CO3)2, CuSiO3·H2O Locality: Tsumeb Mine (Tsumcorp Mine), Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region (Oshikoto), Namibia Field of View: 3.9 mm Colorless to white minrecordite on dioptase. Doug Merson photo and collection. Minrecordite forms in oxidation zones secondary mineral in carbonate-hosted … Continue reading
Posted in Beautiful Minerals
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Male or female? Scientist challenges evidence of sex differences among dinosaurs
A paleontologist is countering decades of studies that assert that some dinosaurs can be identified as male or female based on the shapes and sizes of their bones. Paleontology News — ScienceDaily