ARCHES NATIONAL PARK PALEONTOLOGICAL SURVEY Brooke A
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ARCHES NATIONAL PARK PALEONTOLOGICAL SURVEY Brooke A. Swanson, Vincent L. Santucci, Scott K. Madsen, Ann S. Elder, and Jason P. Kenworthy Technical Report NPS/NRGRD/GRDTR-05/01 United States Department of the Interior•National Park Service•Geologic Resources Division Copies of this report are available from the authors: Geologic Resources Division 12795 West Alameda Parkway Lakewood, CO 80227 Please refer to: National Park Service D-101 (September 2005) How to cite this document: Swanson, B. A., V. L. Santucci, S. K. Madsen, A. S. Elder, and J. P. Kenworthy, 2005. Arches National Park Paleontological Survey. National Park Service, Geologic Resources Division, Technical Report NPS/NRGRD/GRDTR-05/01. On the cover: Drawing of sauropod dinosaur skull and vertebrae typical of those found with Jurassic-aged sedi- ments of the Colorado Plateau. ARCHES NATIONAL PARK PALEONTOLOGICAL SURVEY BY Brooke A. Swanson University of Wisconsin Geology Musuem 1215 West Dayton Street Madison, WI 53706 Vincent L. Santucci George Washington Memorial Parkway Turkey Run Park McLean, VA 22101 Scott K. Madsen Dinosaur National Monument 4545 E. Highway 40 Dinosaur, CO 81610 Ann S. Elder Dinosaur National Monument 4545 E. Highway 40 Dinosaur, CO 81610 Jason P. Kenworthy George Washington Memorial Parkway Turkey Run Park McLean, VA 22101 Geologic Resources Division Technical Report NPS/NRGRD/GRDTR-05/01 September 2005 DEDICATION Fran Barnes and his wife Terby, residents of Moab who lived in the area for over 30 years, were in the unique position of having a more comprehensive understanding of the region’s potential paleonto- logic resources than many, if not all, scientists who venture here for research purposes. Fran and Terby explored the canyon country extensively and were extremely knowledgeable of historical, prehistorical, and paleontological resources within the region as well as trail systems. Fran’s unflagging efforts to alert scientists to his discoveries as well as his own initiative in reporting localities and his interpretations thereof through his own publications were exceptional. His vitality and enthusiasm still lured him into the field twice weekly, despite being over 80 years old (in 2002). In recognition of his contributions to the scientific intrigue of canyon country, we dedicate this volume to Fran Barnes, who passed away in 2003. He will be sorely missed. TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................... 1 Historical Background ..................................................................................................... 1 History Of Paleontologic Research ................................................................................ 1 Geologic Setting ............................................................................................................... 2 Significance Of Arches’ Paleontological Resources ..................................................... 2 Acknowledgements .......................................................................................................... 3 STRATIGRAPHY AND GEOLOGIC HISTORY .................................................................... 4 Geologic History .............................................................................................................. 4 Arches Stratigraphic Column ......................................................................................... 5 Rock Formations Exposed And Fossils Found In Arches National Park ................. 7 PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCES INVENTORY ......................................................... 11 Paleobotany ..................................................................................................................... 11 Fossil Invertebrates ........................................................................................................ 11 Fossil Vertebrates ........................................................................................................... 12 Invertebrate Trace Fossils .............................................................................................. 12 Vertebrate Trace Fossils ................................................................................................. 13 LOCALITIES .............................................................................................................................. 13 Salt Valley Region ........................................................................................................... 13 Petrified Dunes Region .................................................................................................. 13 Courthouse Wash Region ............................................................................................. 13 Devils Garden Region .................................................................................................... 16 Klondike Bluffs Region .................................................................................................. 16 Salt Wash Region ............................................................................................................ 16 Willow Flats Region ....................................................................................................... 16 Arches National Park Regional Map............................................................................ 17 INTERPRETATION .................................................................................................................. 16 Long Range Interpretive Plan ....................................................................................... 16 Interpretive Themes ....................................................................................................... 18 Interpretive Resources ................................................................................................... 18 Recommended Interpretive Actions ............................................................................ 18 PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ..................................................... 19 National Park Service Policy ......................................................................................... 19 Baseline Paleontological Resource Data Inventories ................................................ 20 Recommended Management Actions ......................................................................... 20 PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCE PROTECTION ......................................................... 21 Recommendations For Fossil Protection .................................................................... 21 RESEARCH ................................................................................................................................ 21 Current Research ........................................................................................................... 21 Suggested Research ........................................................................................................ 21 Permit System .................................................................................................................. 21 Funding ............................................................................................................................ 21 Literature Survey ............................................................................................................ 21 COLLECTIONS AND CURATION ....................................................................................... 22 Museum Collections ...................................................................................................... 22 Scope Of Collections ..................................................................................................... 22 Security ............................................................................................................................ 23 Organization ................................................................................................................... 23 Photographic Archives ................................................................................................... 23 Recommendations For Photographic Archives.......................................................... 23 Fossil Collections In Outside Repositories ................................................................. 23 Fossil Collections From Lands Adjacent To Arches In Outside Repositories ........ 23 PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCES NEAR ARCHES NATIONAL PARK .................. 24 North Of Arches ............................................................................................................. 24 West Of Arches ............................................................................................................... 24 Other Areas ..................................................................................................................... 25 REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................... 26 References Cited ............................................................................................................. 26 Additional References .................................................................................................... 28 APPENDICES A: Arches National Park Paleo-species List ................................................................ 30 B: Arches National Park Fossil Specimens In Outside