Dinosaur Ridge Explained

Dinosaur Ridge
Type:Ridge
Map:Colorado
Location:Dinosaur Ridge, part of the Golden-Morrison Fossil Areas National Natural Landmark, Jefferson County, Colorado, United States
Coordinates:39.6757°N -105.1934°W
Part Of:Dakota Hogback
Elevation M:-->
Surface Elevation M:-->
Type:-->
Age:Cretaceous and Jurassic

Dinosaur Ridge is a segment of the Dakota Hogback in the Morrison Fossil Area National Natural Landmark located in Jefferson County, Colorado, near the town of Morrison and just west of Denver.

In 1876, fossil excavation began at Dinosaur Ridge under the direction of Yale paleontologist Dr. Othniel Charles Marsh.[1] The first identified Stegosaurus fossils in the world were discovered here, and fossil bones found in the layers of rock here represent some well-known dinosaurs, including Apatosaurus, Camarasaurus, Diplodocus, and Allosaurus. In 1973, the area was recognized as an outstanding example of the nation's natural heritage, and was designated a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service. The area was expanded in June 2011, and combined with another tracksite in Golden at the Parfet Prehistoric Preserve. These two sites, along with a few other nearby fossil sites in Golden, were combined, and the National Natural Landmark is now known as the Morrison-Golden Fossil Areas. In 1989, the Friends of Dinosaur Ridge non-profit was formed to address concerns regarding the preservation of the site and to offer educational programs on the area's resources.

The rocks on the west side of Dinosaur Ridge are part of the widespread Morrison Formation of Jurassic age. It is in these rocks where Arthur Lakes discovered dinosaur bones in 1876. Subsequently, several quarries were excavated along the Dakota hogback in the Morrison area in search of more fossils. Evidence of a variety of dinosaur genera and species was found here, as well as fossils identified to be from prehistoric turtles and lungfish. Research is ongoing.

The rocks on the east side of Dinosaur Ridge are part of the Cretaceous Dakota Formation. When Alameda Parkway was being constructed in 1937 (by the WPA) in order to provide access to Red Rocks Park and Ampitheatre, workers discovered dinosaur tracks.[2] As those footprints were damaged and destroyed over time, more tracks were intentionally uncovered in later decades. These were found to include mostly Iguanodon-like footprints, perhaps from an ornithopod dinosaur called Eolambia. Omnivorous bird-like ornithomimid tracks, crocodilian tracks, and large carnivorous theropod tracks are also present.

The site offers guided bus tours, interpretive signage, a small Exhibit Hall with geological and paleontological displays, a Discovery Center, and a gift shop. Dinosaur Ridge's interpretive signs at trail locations explain the local geology, paleo-ecology, trace fossils, bone fossils, economic development of coal, oil, and clay, and many other geologic and paleontological features.[3] [4] [5]

Dinosaur Ridge Trail

The outdoor exhibits are located along a closed section of West Alameda Ave. This trail follows a paved closed road that climbs about 700feet from the main visitor center to the high point along the ridge backbone. The walk is about 2miles round-trip, taking approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours. The Exhibit Hall is near the main visitor center and a fully guided bus tour is available.

External links

Notes and References

  1. McCarren, Mark J. The Scientific Contributions of Othniel Charles Marsh, pp. 7–8, Peabody Museum of Natural History, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, 1993. .
  2. Web site: Zialcita · . Paolo . 2024-07-09 . Dinosaur Ridge’s fossilized tracks are disappearing. Finding a solution has stakeholders between a rock and a hard place . 2024-07-15 . Colorado Public Radio . en.
  3. Hunt, Adrian, Lockley, Martin and White, Sally Historic Dinosaur Quarries of the Dinosaur Ridge Area Friends of Dinosaur Ridge and the University of Colorado at Denver Trackers Research Group, 2002.
  4. Lockley, Martin and Marquardt, Lori A Field Guide to Dinosaur Ridge Friends of Dinosaur Ridge and the University of Colorado at Denver Trackers Research Group, 1995.
  5. Web site: Dinosaur Ridge - Home - Morrison, Colorado. www.dinoridge.org. 11 April 2018.
  6. Cretaceous Time: Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists Foundation; Dinosaur Ridge; Colorado Natural Area Program; Morrison Colorado; undated
  7. Ripple Marks; Greater Denver Area Gem and Mineral Council; Dinosaur Ridge; Colorado Natural Area Program; Morrison Colorado; undated
  8. Dinosaur Tracks; Greater Denver Area Gem and Mineral Council; Dinosaur Ridge; Colorado Natural Area Program; Morrison Colorado; undated
  9. Trace Fossils; Greater Denver Area Gem and Mineral Council; Dinosaur Ridge; Colorado Natural Area Program; Morrison Colorado; undated
  10. Ecology; Greater Denver Area Gem and Mineral Council; Dinosaur Ridge; Colorado Natural Area Program; Morrison Colorado; undated
  11. Hogbacks; Hydrocarbon Exploration & Development, Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists Foundation, Goolsby Brothers and associates, inc; Dinosaur Ridge; Colorado Natural Area Program; Morrison Colorado; undated
  12. Theropod Tracks; Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists Foundation; Dinosaur Ridge; Colorado Natural Area Program; Morrison Colorado; undated
  13. Jurassic Fossils; Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists Foundation; Dinosaur Ridge; Colorado Natural Area Program; Morrison Colorado; undated
  14. The Discovery; Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists Foundation; Dinosaur Ridge; Colorado Natural Area Program; Morrison Colorado; undated
  15. Bone Deposition; Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists Foundation & Greater Denver Area Gem and Mineral Council; Dinosaur Ridge; Colorado Natural Area Program; Morrison Colorado; undated