PALEONTOLOGICAL INVENTORIES EXPAND THE FOSSIL RECORD AT DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK, CALIFORNIA

Death Valley National Park preserves an extensive geologic record ranging from the Proterozoic through the Holocene. Over thirty fossiliferous stratigraphic units have been identified, containing fossil plants, invertebrates, vertebrates, and trace fossils. Paleontological resource inventories of previously documented fossil localities have resulted in the discovery of new fossil localities in the park. The documentation of fossils from previously undescribed geologic units will contribute to the age-dating of the fossiliferous units and expand the complex geologic history of the park strata. The documentation and biostratigraphical significance of Triassic/Jurassic ammonites, early Miocene fish fauna and associated tuff beds and excellent preservation of Pliocene palm wood expand the rich paleontological record for Death Valley National Park. In addition, the remains of Pleistocene mammals from Lake Rogers paludal deposits show the potential for regional correlation and may contribute to our understanding of paleoclimate.