Unpacking P.E.I. fossil gives researchers the goosebumps | 24CA News
Researchers have had their first take a look at how a P.E.I. fossil fared over the previous a number of months, and issues look good.
The fossil — which they imagine could possibly be 300 million years previous — was found final August by Island faculty instructor Lisa Cormier whereas she was taking a stroll on the seaside in Cape Egmont.
After being excavated, the fossil was transported to the Parks Canada constructing in Greenwich, P.E.I.
Matt Stimson is a fossil footprint knowledgeable and the assistant curator of geology and paleontology at the New Brunswick Museum in Saint John, N.B.
He was in Greenwich Tuesday to assist put together the fossil for its journey to Carleton University in Ottawa.
Stimson stated getting the fossil out of the seaside was a actually a race in opposition to the tide.
“The fossil was down in the the intertidal zone so it’s covered at high tide and water,” he stated.
“We had to dig down quite deep, about two, two-and-a-half feet all around, to basically excavate out a large block with the skeleton and dig underneath it. “
He stated the specimen got here out in a number of items.
“But that’s okay. The skeleton and the main part stayed intact,” he stated.
Stimson stated there are various steps concerned in figuring out a fossil.
First, he stated, you doc the place it’s bodily on the seaside, which layer of rock it is in, and what it appears like earlier than you begin digging.
“So we took lots of photographs to make a three-dimensional model of the specimen, which we’ve done. Just in case something goes wrong and just in case you break something in the process of excavating the fossil,” he stated.
He stated the fossil was coated in a skinny layer of polyvinyl acetate, or liquid plastic, to solidify it throughout excavation.
Unpacking pleasure and reduction
Stimson stated the method labored properly and the fossil appears to be in good situation — an awesome reduction to him and others concerned within the mission.
“You never really know how a fossil will react once it dries out. The specimen was completely inundated with water every day, twice a day with the high tide, so once it dries out it could crack,” stated Stimson.
He was accompanied to Greenwich by John Calder, a part-time college member at Saint Mary’s University who does contract work for the P.E.I. authorities and Parks Canada on fossil discoveries.
It’s not possible to not get goosebumps. It’s an incredible discovery.— John Calder
Stimson stated on the best way there, neither of them knew what to anticipate.
“As soon as we open up the boxes, we’re just very excited to see that all the bones were still in place and it’s pretty much just like we left it several months ago,” he stated.
“To find a complete skeleton something like Lisa Cormier found is is extremely rare and it’s once or twice in a lifetime career sort of discovery.”
Stimson stated post-topical storm Fiona sophisticated plans for the fossil, as there have been different cleanup and restore priorities for Parks Canada and the province.
Calder stated somebody from the P.E.I. Museum and Heritage Foundation goes to drive it the fossil to Ottawa quickly.
“To me that shows the the commitment, that both the P.E.I. government and Parks Canada are making, which is lovely because you have a fantastic story of the fossil life on P.E.I. here,” he stated.
“It’s really deserving of a museum.”
At Carleton University the fossil can be studied by vertebrate paleontologist Hillary Maddin and her staff.
Calder stated the fossil will doubtless have a CT scan after which the painstakingly delicate work will start.
“Teasing the bones out of that rock, it’s going to be a challenge because the rock is very soft and it will break apart easily,” stated Calder.
“To keep those bones intact while you’re getting rid of the rock that’s holding them together, wow, it’s going to be a delicate situation. That work will probably take a year.”
Calder estimates it is going to be one other yr till the specimen is described in a scientific journal, and will get a reputation.
“I have goosebumps right now. It’s always so exciting to see something that has not seen the light of day for 300 million years, has never been seen before…. Just think of that. It’s impossible not to get goose bumps. It’s an amazing discovery.”
Calder stated due to all of the erosion from Fiona, he expects there can be extra fossil discoveries on P.E.I. seashores this yr.
“Keep your eyes peeled. If you do see something, if you’re in the park, bring it to the attention of Parks Canada and if it’s outside the park, bring it to the attention of the P.E.I. Museum and Heritage Foundation,” he stated.
“We are collecting an incredible array of fossils.”.
