1. Florissant Fossil Beds, Colorado A National Monument "When the mountains are overthrown and the seas uplifted, the universe at Florissant flings itself against a gnat and preserves it."-- Dr. Peale, Hayden Expedition Geologist, 1873.

2. Overview Just west of Pike’s Peak in Colorado is Florissant fossil beads. Just west of Pike’s Peak in Colorado is Florissant fossil beads. Huge petrified Red Huge petrified Red Woods, sequoias, Woods, sequoias, and detailed fossils and detailed fossils of ancient insects of ancient insects and plants hold key and plants hold key to prehistoric life of almost 35 million years ago. to prehistoric life of almost 35 million years ago.

3. History Enormous volcanic eruptions encompassed the then flourishing valley leaving the giant tree stumps petrified. Enormous volcanic eruptions encompassed the then flourishing valley leaving the giant tree stumps petrified. A valley was created and at its bottom, in layers of shale, A valley was created and at its bottom, in layers of shale, minute details of minute details of ancient organisms ancient organisms were preserved. were preserved.

4. Petrifying Process A series of ancient systems with multiple vents buried parts of ancient mixed forest floor in volcanic mud flow. A series of ancient systems with multiple vents buried parts of ancient mixed forest floor in volcanic mud flow. The volcanic mud coated the bottom 15 feet of the large Redwood trees. The volcanic mud coated the bottom 15 feet of the large Redwood trees. As minerals oozed into the wood and gradually crystallized the still living tree. As minerals oozed into the wood and gradually crystallized the still living tree. Later in time, another mud flow closed a stream, creating ancient Lake Florissant. Later in time, another mud flow closed a stream, creating ancient Lake Florissant.

5. Comparison of Modern and Petrified

6. Petrifying Continued… The ashes from the volcano covered the land and turned into clay at the bottom of the lake. The ashes from the volcano covered the land and turned into clay at the bottom of the lake. The clay became a perfect medium preserving countless leaves and insects. The clay became a perfect medium preserving countless leaves and insects. They were buried under more ash and preserve amid layers of shale. They were buried under more ash and preserve amid layers of shale.

7. Fossilized Plants Over 100 species have been found fossilized Over 100 species have been found fossilized Preserved as life-sized with incredible detail & color Preserved as life-sized with incredible detail & color Most common are fossilized leaves but twigs, seeds, cones, flowers, and even delicate pollen grains Most common are fossilized leaves but twigs, seeds, cones, flowers, and even delicate pollen grains Most common fossilized tree is the sequoia Most common fossilized tree is the sequoia

8. Fossilized Insects Rarely are insects preserved at all, let alone in great detail Rarely are insects preserved at all, let alone in great detail Here more than 1,000 species have been identified from the shale Here more than 1,000 species have been identified from the shale of Lake Florissant of Lake Florissant

9. Fossilized Animals Fossilized bones, teeth, shells, hair, & feather impressions Fossilized bones, teeth, shells, hair, & feather impressions These reveal existence of mollusks, fish, birds, possums, mesohippus, and oreodonts These reveal existence of mollusks, fish, birds, possums, mesohippus, and oreodonts Not as many animal fossils were found because to be preserved it would have to have died in or near the lake Not as many animal fossils were found because to be preserved it would have to have died in or near the lake

10. References http://www2.nature.nps.gov/geology/parks/flfo http://www2.nature.nps.gov/geology/parks/flfo http://www2.nature.nps.gov/geology/parks/flfo http://www.nps.gov/flfo/education/unit2.htm http://www.nps.gov/flfo/education/unit2.htm http://www.nps.gov/flfo/education/unit2.htm