RSU Professor Chris Shelton and his student Kolby Dooling made headlines during a recent field trip, encountering a collection of iridescent fossil samples. Upon their arrival at the site, the students found large pieces of material that contained nacre shells, which exhibit an iridescence due to their structure deep inside the shell. These shells resemble agollsite, a type of biological gemstone thought to have formed in ancient cephalopods, one of the oldest extant species.
The discoveries were especially rare, as they occurred only around 300 million years into theCarboniferous Period. This period, known for deep ocean sediments, were onlyGeologically younger than those found in modern reefs and coral reefs. This uniqueness made the find a significant Discovery, standing out among other fossil sites with similar iridescent-like features.
Shelton explained that while the fossils date back for a considerable time, he and Kolby have been returning to the site for the entirety of their undergraduate and graduate studies. According to Shelton, Dooling’s participations have further solidified this site’s scientific importance, providing ” Professionalizing”机遇 for future geologists.
The site is also notable for being located in remote Alberta and Oklahoma, along the Mandar fork of thetests, and the island of Madagascar. These regions are geologically exclusive, offering invaluable insights into theMiddleqrstuvwxyz Period and the behavior of cephalopods through their shell layers. The discovery has no been replicated in modern_projects, giving itlessons about the fineness of such rare finds in deep ocean chemistry.
Shelton and Dooling have planned a series of detailed fieldwork, using Kolby as a valuable guide and collaborator. Their research will be documented in a research paper, which is expected to establish RSU as a leader in fossil scientific projects, with Kolby earning the associate’s degree.
Since the discovery, RSU has forwarded Kolby to their research center for fieldimages, allowing him to investigate fossils as a student researcher. This experience has enhanced their knowledge and skills, framing the discovery as a milestone in their academic journey.
Originally, the site contained around 400,000 ounces of preserved iridescent material, and Dooling estimates an even larger quantity to be retained. This quantity is significant given the site’s distance from modern geology, bringing the fossilized pieces closer to real-world forces and organisms.
As the discovery gains attention, RSU is mindful of the challenge Kolby faces in communicating his findings. Despite RSU’s progress, Kolby is not unaware of pending tasks, which adds to the effort’s complexity. Every inch dug, every aspect observed— Kolby’s persistence continues to inspire.
