Latest news with #Triassic
Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Brits floored to discover 'amazing artefacts' are washing up on UK beaches
Brits are being alerted to an incredible discovery that may have been missed by beach-goers - and it's something that's actually quite easy to find by the shore Beachgoers in the UK have been alerted to an exciting discovery that could make their seaside visits even more interesting. For those who enjoy a bit of exploration and digging around in the sand, there's something rather intriguing to look out for. Fossil enthusiasts are in for a treat, as it appears many may be overlooking some fascinating finds at local beaches. Unbeknownst to many, they could frequently be strolling past fossils without even realising, as these particular specimens don't quite look as one might expect. According to The Visual Hikers Guide on TikTok, a variety of shark teeth can be found scattered across Sussex beaches. This isn't the first time such discoveries have been made, with dinosaur fossils previously having been unearthed in certain areas of the UK. In a video shared online, the TikToker revealed: "I probably shouldn't be telling you this but, hey, I only have 70 followers, so what's the worst that can happen? Did you know that you can hunt for shark teeth on the south coast of England? "Along with fossils and sea glass, they're just waiting to be found. The best time to look is right after a storm or when the waves have been wild. "That's when the sea stirs them up from the seabed. I like to bring my trusty extendable fork - you know the kind that makes you feel like a beach detective, but you do have to be quick catching these shark teeth because, half the time, it feels like the sea is chasing me back up the beach. "The real trick is knowing the shape to look for and, once you've got that in your mind and you're tuned in, it gets so much easier. But beware, because the seaweed loves disguising itself as shark teeth. "Oh, and fun fact, they're black - not white - because they're fossilised." During the footage, the host reveals she's mainly searched for them around West Sussex and the coastline south of Chichester. These were the spots she highlighted as prime locations for discovering shark teeth. But, if you fancy exploring elsewhere, Somerset's shoreline is reportedly famous for fossil hunting - particularly for unearthing shark teeth. Your chances improve at places like Kilve Beach and Doniford Bay. These locations are renowned for their fascinating geological past and form part of Exmoor, creating a paradise for fossil lovers. The Rhaetian bone bed, particularly around Lilstock, is another recognised spot for uncovering Triassic shark teeth. Since the footage appeared online, viewers have been stunned by the revelation. Plenty appear eager to attempt their own shark tooth hunting expeditions at British beaches. One enthusiast exclaimed: "We find them at Herne Bay. Amazing!" Another chimed in with: "Oh how interesting - off to hunt shark teeth the next time I'm at the beach." A third shared: "My sister found a huge fossilised shark tooth on the beach in Portsmouth when we were kids (20 or so years ago). I was so jealous - still am, even though it is probably now lost or binned." Meanwhile, another viewer praised: "This is awesome. Great video and amazing work." While live sharks don't sport black teeth, fossilised shark teeth often take on shades of black, grey or tan due to the absorption of minerals from the surrounding sediment over lengthy periods. This process, known as fossilisation, can span thousands or even millions of years. In contrast, the teeth of living sharks are typically white or creamy, akin to human teeth. They darken as the original tooth material is replaced with minerals like iron and manganese after the sharks pass away.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Science
- Yahoo
US team discovers winged reptile that took powered flight with early dinosaurs
In a remote bonebed in Arizona, a Smithsonian team unearthed the oldest pterosaur on record and an entire ecosystem of fossils—over 200 million years old. While looking for prehistoric precursors to mammals in Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona, a Smithsonian-led team of researchers stumbled upon an unexpected site: a remote bonebed that contained an entire Triassic ecosystem. Along with 1,200 individual fossils, they recovered a new pterosaur species that lived 209 million years ago. The recently identified Eotephradactylus mcintireae is the oldest pterosaur ever found in North America. Its teeth, preserved in the bone, gave paleontologists stunning insights into how the earliest pterosaurs lived. Oldest pterosaur in North America was about the size of a seagull Eotephradactylus mcintireae would have been small enough to perch on person's shoulder comfortably. It might not be be the largest pterosaur on record, but its impact might extend far beyond any discovered before it as the most ancient in North America. Its name, 'ash-winged dawn goddess,' refers to the site's volcanic ash, the animals' position near the base of the pterosaur evolutionary tree, and the woman who unearthed it. Suzanne McIntire knew the tooth-studded jaw would make the animal easier to identify. As the teeth were worn down, the team deduced the pterosaur likely fed on the site's fish, as they found many in the fossil bed encased in armor-like scales. In fact, the team led by paleontologist Ben Kligman found so much more than the world's oldest pterosaur on site. After braving the Petrified Forest's rugged badlands, home to rattlesnakes and wild horses, they uncovered a bonebed that gave them a vivid snapshot of the dynamic ecosystem, including giant amphibians, armored crocodile relatives, evolutionary upstarts like frogs, and even the world's oldest turtle fossils. 'The site captures the transition to more modern terrestrial vertebrate communities where we start seeing groups that thrive later in the Mesozoic living alongside these older animals that don't make it past the Triassic,' Kligman said. 'Fossil beds like these enable us to establish that all of these animals actually lived together.' A snapshot of end-Triassic extinction The new site filled a gap in the fossil record: the end-Triassic extinction (ETE). Around 201.5 million years ago, volcanic eruptions broke Pangaea and wiped out 75% of the planet's species, making way for the dinosaurs to rise and dominate the Earth. This new bonebed captured this critical moment in the planet's evolution. This pterosaur would have been among the first to take flight in history. Though incredibly old, these rocks on Owl Rock Member, the park's geologic outcrops, are the youngest in the park. They are the least studied as they lurk in the park's most remote areas, but they might contain new species. The fossil bed Smithsonian researchers just uncovered did. They believe a flood had most likely buried the creatures, as so many fossils were packed into the site. Excavating it was practically impossible. They encased large pieces of the surrounding sediment in plaster and brought them back to the lab, according to the press release. In total, the team picked up more than a thousand individual fossils of bones, teeth, fish scales, and coprolites, or fossilized poop. In all, this impressive assemblage contained 16 different groups of vertebrate animals. The pterosaur would have flown over a rich and diverse ecosystem of braided rivers filled with fish like freshwater sharks, coelacanths, and ancient amphibians, some of which grew up to 6 feet long. The study was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Solve the daily Crossword
IOL News
6 days ago
- Science
- IOL News
Discovery of North America's oldest Pterosaur at Petrified Forest National Park
An artist's reconstruction of the newly discovered species of pterosaur at Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona, where the fossil was discovered. Image: Brian Engh/Smithsonian Institution At a remote bone bed in Arizona, dense with fossils dating back around 209 million years, a Smithsonian-led team of researchers has discovered North America's oldest known pterosaur, according to a news release. Pterosaurs were the first vertebrates to develop powered flight, soaring above dinosaurs and other surreal creatures that called the prehistoric world home. The finding, detailed in an article in PNAS published Monday, offers clues to the evolution of the winged reptiles, which have more than 150 named species, including the Hollywood favourite - the pterodactyl. Before the study, there were only two known Triassic pterosaurs from North America, Ben Kligman, a paleontologist at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History and an author on the study, said in an email. This is the only early pterosaur globally whose precise age has been determined. - information that is crucial to understanding 'how a fossil animal fits into patterns of evolutionary and environmental change,' he said. Suzanne McIntire, formerly a volunteer with the museum, unearthed the fossil. 'What was exciting about uncovering this specimen was that the teeth were still in the bone, so I knew the animal would be much easier to identify,' she said in a statement. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Suzanne McIntire, a longtime volunteer at the Smithsonian's FossiLab, discovered the new pterosaur fossil before her retirement last year. The new species was named in her honor. Image: Bill King/Smithsonian Institution The pterosaur's jaw holds worn-down teeth, suggesting it ate fish with armored scales, and the creature 'would have been small enough to comfortably perch on a person's shoulder,' according to the release. The new species is called the 'ash-winged dawn goddess,' but it could also be considered a small nightmare for anyone imagining a winged reptile on their shoulder. Regardless, it's a noteworthy discovery from the Petrified Forest National Park site, from which teams at the museum have uncovered more than 1,200 individual fossils, including fish scales, teeth and fossilized poop. The fossils offer a window into a vibrant, bygone ecosystem, where animals such as giant amphibians, some up to six feet long, and armored crocodile relatives lived among 'evolutionary upstarts' such as frogs, turtles and pterosaurs. 'Fossil beds like these enable us to establish that all of these animals actually lived together,' Kligman said. Among the findings was an ancient turtle 'with spike-like armor and a shell that could fit inside a shoebox,' the news release says. It's believed to have lived around the same time as the oldest known turtle, suggesting the creatures spread across the supercontinent Pangaea quickly. 'Surprising for an animal that is not very large and is likely walking at a slow pace,' Kligman noted. Kay Behrensmeyer, curator of vertebrate paleontology at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, documents a bone bed at the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona on May 23, 2023. Image: Ben Kligman/Smithsonian Institution Contrary to common belief, pterosaurs are not dinosaurs - their name comes from 'winged lizard' in Greek. Some were the size of paper airplanes while others were as big as fighter jets and feasted on baby dinosaurs. They went extinct around 66 million years ago. The early evolution of pterosaurs is something of a mystery as they appeared in the fossil record some 215 million years ago with fully evolved wings, Kligman noted. Bones of pterosaurs from the Triassic era, about 251.9 to 201.3 million years ago, are also small, thin and often hollow, so they are easily destroyed before fossilization. Scientists have named the newly discovered pterosaur Eotephradactylus mcintireae. The genus name, Eotephradactylus, refers to Eos, the goddess of dawn; tephra translates to ash, and dactyl refers to the fingerlike wings - referencing volcanic ash at the site of its discovery and the animals' position near the base of the pterosaur's evolutionary tree. The species name is a callback to its discoverer, McIntire. The unearthed fossil is 'one of the only early pterosaurs whose anatomy can be observed in a detailed way in three dimensions,' Kligman said. Its teeth are especially noteworthy as they're fused into the socket, a feature shared with small, slender Triassic reptiles known as lagerpetids, a group which some hypothesize may be closely related to pterosaurs. Kligman called the setting of the finding, which he described as 'a river system flowing through the arid sub-tropical floodplains of central Pangaea,' unusual for early pterosaurs, and said there may be similar river deposits from other Triassic rocks that can also preserve pterosaur bones. He said they hope 'this creates a new search-image for filling gaps in the early evolution of pterosaurs.'
Bangkok Post
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Bangkok Post
Exhibition brings prehistoric Thailand to life
Dino lovers are invited to embark on an awe-inspiring journey and experience the wonder of a long-lost world during "Thainosaur", which is running at Museum Pier until Nov 2. Hailed as the most comprehensive exhibition on Thai dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures, the event has turned the clock back by millions of years, allowing visitors to go on an adventure with the most complete collection of Thai dinosaur species. The show presents Thailand's rich palaeontological history through fossils and discoveries from the Mesozoic Era -- the age of dinosaurs -- spanning the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, the golden eras of gigantic creatures. Besides the most comprehensive and accurate presentation of Thailand's prehistoric biodiversity to date, the exhibition also provides up-to-date and accurate palaeobiological insights. On top of real fossils and authentic dinosaur bones unearthed in Thailand, the exhibition highlights state-of-the-art reconstructions crafted with cutting-edge technology to deliver the most lifelike experience. Visitors will be amazed by animations developed with scientific accuracy, based on palaeontological evidence and created in collaboration with Thai dinosaur experts, geologists and leading animation specialists. They have used hyper-realistic techniques to bring Thai dinosaurs back to life, with every texture finely detailed and every movement stunningly lifelike. For devoted dino enthusiasts, students fascinated by geology and prehistoric creatures and families in search of an exciting weekend activity, the exhibition will take them to dive deep into captivating stories behind the country's native dinosaur species -- including Siamotyrannus, Phuwiangosaurus, Sirindhorna, Isanosaurus and many more prehistoric creatures. Museum Pier is located at ThaaChang Wangluang, Maharaj Road, and opens daily from 10am to 6pm. Tickets cost 150, 250 and 350 baht.
Scotsman
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
I visited Glasgow's Lost Kingdom dinosaur walk - and was surprised by how much I learned
The Lost Kingdom is a great day out for all the family finds Rosalind Erskine. Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... It's typical Scottish summer school holiday weather we myself, my sister and my nephews (eight and five) ventured out to the Lost Kingdom. Located at the Cuningar Woodland Loop in walk in Rutherglen once again, this travelling troupe of animatronic dinosaurs are back in Glasgow and ready to thrill kids and bog kids alike. The trail features over 50 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs, spanning the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods and the website advises that the walk might take about two hours - not ideal in the driving rain and wind but this is Scotland. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad On arrival to the walk we are greeted with the rockstar of dinosaurs , the T-Rex - and we saw a lot more of him around the walk. Each of the over 50 life-sized dinosaurs moves, whether it's their eyes, tails, arms or mouths, and the roaring sound effects help set the scene that we're on an adventure walk to find out all we can about these creatures. While the movements and noises are fun for the kids, there's also an educational element as each dinosaur has its own information panel and, from these, we learned all about lesser known species such as the Yunnanosaurus, Lufengosaurus and Tsintaosauraus including where in the world they'd come from. Animatronic dinosaurs at Glasgow's Lost Kingdom | Rosalind Erskine I, with the help of my nephews and sister, were seeking my favourite dinosaur, the diplodocus but we came across so many other unknown dinosaurs such as a furry one and a heavily armoured, crocodile-like creature. Despite the weather we did end up spending a good hour and a half on the walk, before heading to the dinosaur themed welcome area, where some food vans serving hot food, teas and coffee were. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad There was also a gift shop and educational marquee. Satisfied with our hot drinks and doughnuts, but still no further forward on spying a diplodocus, we headed back to the car. The Lost Kingdom is an ideal morning or afternoon out for kids during the summer holidays, and adults will find it educational too. Samuel, my oldest nephew said: ' There were plenty of dinosaurs, some were cute and one T-Rex was 54 feet tall. I enjoyed it, five stars…although I was fuming that there was no diplodocus.' While Christopher, his younger brother added: 'The dinosaurs were really great.'
