Mohawk Valley Fossils

Welcome

The purpose of this is to examine the sediments deposited that were deposited during the Middle to Late Ordovician Period in the ocean that was then at the present site of the Mohawk River Valley of New York . Here we focus on the interrelationship between the tectonic events of the time, how they influenced the sediments being deposited, and how both influenced the life in the sea at that time. It is the result of these influences that allows us to unravel the geologic history of the area. We will look at the distribution of the sediments left behind, and the fossils they contain. We will also look at what we understand about the tectonic activity of the region.

Here are some questions to keep in mind when looking at these screens:

What was the region like 450 Ma, when these sediments were deposited?
Where was the the land that later became New York? In the midlatitudes, as now, or more polar, or more tropical?
Did the local geological events influence the sediments that were being deposited? How?
What was happening in the area, geologically?
What was the origin of these sediments? Where did the clay and silt come from?
Was the water deep? Shallow? Did the depth change during the time of deposition?
How did life at the time respond to any changes in the environment which were occurring in the area?
What were the primary factors determining where we now find fossils of the different animals? What were less important factors?
Most importantly, how do we know any of these things?

The information here will help you answer these questions. In these screens, you'll find information on the tectonics, the depositional environment, and the paleontology of these rocks. To get around, there are a series of buttons at the top of each screen, which will take you to other screens that show you:

Background information on the area:

The Ordovician World … An overview of what Earth was like during the Ordovician Period
New York … An overview of what New York State was like during the Ordovician Period
Tectonics … Tectonic environment of the Mohawk River Valley area in the Ordovician

Specific information on the stratigraphy:

Location … Map of stratigraphic sections' locations
Lithology … The lithostratigraphic framework
Symbols … Key to symbols used in the figures.

Information on and from the paleocommunity:

Water Depths … Water depths from ordination of the entire paleontological data set
Paleocurrents … Paleocurrents recorded by alignment of the fossils
The fossils … The directory of taxa whose stratigraphic distribution is shown
Compare the ranges of taxa … A tool which allows you to view the stratigraphic distribution of two taxa

The best way to begin is to wander through the stack one time, just to see what's there.

Bibliography

Boardman, R.S., Cheetham, A.H., and Rowell, A.J., eds., 1987, Fossil Invertebrates. Blackwell, Boston, MA, 713 pp.

Bradley, D.C., and Kidd, W.S.F., 1991, Flexural extension of the upper continental crust in collisional foredeeps. GSA Bulletin, v. 103, p. 1416-1438.

Gildner, R.F., and Garver, J.,1994, Teaching Biostratigraphy: Bringing the Real World to the Students. GSA Abstracts with Programs, v. 26, p. A85.

Moore, R.C., Lalicker, C.G., and Fischer, A.G., 1952, Invertebrate Fossils. McGraw-Hill, NY, 766 pp.

Sangrey, W.F., and Gildner, R.F., 1989, A test of trilobite cranidia as paleocurrent direction indicators: GSA Abstracts with Programs, v. 21, p. 64.

Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology. University of KS and Geological Society of America.: Volume F, Coelenterata. Moore, R.C., ed. xvii + 498 pp., 1956.; Volume G, Bryozoa. Robinson, R.A., ed. xii + 253 pp., 1953.; Volume H, Brachiopoda. Moore, R.C., ed. xxxii + 927 pp., 1965.; Volume K, Mollusca 3. Moore, R.C., ed. xxvii + 519 pp., 1964.; Volume O, Arthropoda 1. Moore, R.C., ed. xix + 560 pp., 1959.