EXPLORATION OF THE MORRIS FORMATION CAMARASAURUS BONE BEDS USING GROUND-PENETRATING RADAR

Currently, paleontological studies often begin with random exposures during construction or chance erosional activities. Once a specimen is found, it is difficult to estimate its size or extent underground, without expensive and time-consuming excavation efforts. Some paleontological studies have attempted to use ground-penetrating radar (GPR) as an investigation tool. GPR is a geophysical technique that uses electromagnetic energy to image the subsurface and solve problems within multiple fields (i.e. engineering, archaeology and geophysics). Some applications that used GPR to locate preserved mammalian bones were moderately successful, however this was in more recently aged stratigraphy. A few studies focused on determining the location of fossilized dinosaur remains have been attempted, yet the results are very limited. With vast improvement on GPR technology in recent years, new methods and techniques are available for testing and to possibly improve the efforts of paleontologists. This study explored the capability of GPR hyper-stacking technology to identify fossiliferous strata and to determine the extent of a known bone bed in the subsurface. Additionally, the proficiency of micro-georadar to locate and delineate exposed and near-surface buried dinosaur remains was investigated. Noninvasive, high-resolution GPR data were collected from multiple field sites containing dinosaur remains, including a large ichnofossil trackway with interbedded Camarasaurus bones. An abundance of subsurface anomalies within the collected data were interpreted as dinosaur remains, and GPR successfully mapped the site stratigraphy. Results from this study suggest GPR is an important tool for small-scale, noninvasive identification of fossiliferous strata. Specifically, field methods developed using the 1600 MHz unit produced anomalies in 2-D profiles and 3-D data, and the identification of larger bone beds and related stratigraphy were provided using the advanced 350 MHz hyper-stacking GPR technology.