VLACS Dinosaurs, Geology and Trace Fossils of the CT River Valley Mr. Todd E Lizotte Amateur Ichnologist Hooksett, NH 03106 Dinosaurs, Geology and Trace Fossils 1 Todd Lizotte – Copyright 2020 Professional Laser Systems Engineer / Amateur Ichnologist on Weekends (When Time Permits) Find something interesting for a hobby or just get out there to explore and learn about where you live. Mr. Todd E. Lizotte Husband, Father, Inventor, Engineer, Statesman and Amateur Ichnologist Dinosaurs, Geology and Trace Fossils Todd Lizotte – Copyright 2020 2 Basic Geology Of New England Dinosaurs, Geology and Trace Fossils 3 Todd Lizotte – Copyright 2020 Basic Geology Of New England Metamorphic Sedimentary Volcanic / Magma Formed Dinosaurs, Geology and Trace Fossils 4 Todd Lizotte – Copyright 2020 Connecticut River Valley / Triassic Period Within what is now the Connecticut River Valley, around 200 million years ago, the area was a swampy, semi tropical – warm and humid / located just North of the equator. Dinosaurs similar to Dilophosaurus and other reptiles and amphibians occupied the shores, during the Triassic Period of the Mesozoic Era. At this time the Super Continent Pangea is soon to split and the Atlantic ocean will form further, to what we know today. Dinosaurs, Geology and Trace Fossils 5 Todd Lizotte – Copyright 2020 Connecticut River Valley Historically Edward Hitchcock, pioneer of North American dinosaur footprint studies (My 1793-Feb 1864) The Pratt Museum of Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts contains the largest dinosaur footprint collection in the world, largely amassed by Edward Hitchcock in the years from 1836 to 1865. Dinosaurs, Geology and Trace Fossils 6 Todd Lizotte – Copyright 2020 Connecticut River Valley Historically Beneski Museum of Natural History At Amherst College (Display of Hitchcock Collection) Typical dinosaur types that are considered are: Dilophosaurus: “duh·laa·fuh·saw·ruhs” Coelophysis: “See-low-fy-sis” Dinosaurs, Geology and Trace Fossils 7 Todd Lizotte – Copyright 2020 What is Ichnology or an Ichnologist? Ichnologist is one who studies trace fossils. A trace fossil, also ichnofossil, is a fossil record of biological activity but not the preserved remains of the plant or animal itself. Trace fossils contrast with body fossils, which are the fossilized remains of parts of organisms' bodies, usually altered by later chemical activity or mineralization. Early Days of my Hobby Dinosaurs, Geology and Trace Fossils 8 Todd Lizotte – Copyright 2020 Trace Fossils Ferns in Shale / Massachusetts East Granby, CT Shells Dinosaurs, Geology and Trace Fossils 9 Todd Lizotte – Copyright 2020 Where can I find Dinosaur Foot Prints in New England Dinosaurs, Geology and Trace Fossils 10 Todd Lizotte – Copyright 2020 What fossils tell about organisms of the past. You are a paleontologist who has come across these trace fossils. Now your job is to figure out what happened here. • Who made the footprints? • What do the ‘creatures’ look like? • What were they doing? • What happened? Dilophosaurus: “duh·laa·fuh·saw·ruhs” Coelophysis: “See-low-fy-sis” Dinosaurs, Geology and Trace Fossils Todd Lizotte – Copyright 2020 11 What fossils tell about organisms of the past. Walking Seeing something to the right Victor Running Full Belly Walk Away Fight For Life Running Walking / Flight Dinosaurs, Geology and Trace Fossils Todd Lizotte – Copyright 2020 12.