Home Locations Location Green River, North America

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Location added:
Last Update:

may 2006
may 2006

Location Description:

In the Green River formation in Wyoming (USA) large numbers of fossil fish are found. The fossils are from the Eocene (part of the Paleogene period). The Green River formation deposits are deposited during 2 milion years, 49.6 to 47.5 milion years ago.

The most common fish is Knightia sp.. These thin fish were maximum 25 centimetres, and lived from ostracods, algae and diatoms. They liver in sholes in freshwater lakes.

Every year the lakes evaporated completely, leaving the fish in the sediments. This proces was repeated many times.

Directions:

The Green River formation can be found in the southwest of the American state of Wyoming. The size of the "Green River basin" is about 100 to 150 kilometres.

Map of the area with the Green River formation and other basins.

Finds:

Various fish species. The fish Knightia sp. is most common. K. branneri and K. alta are also found. The Green river formation is most famous for its fishes, but more fossils can be found: plants, insects, gastropods, bivalves, crustacea, birds, reptiles (crocodile, turtles, lizards and frogs) and landmammals (famous for its bats).

Knightia sp.

fossil fish Priscacara sp. from the 18-inch layer of the Green River formation. © Photo: Frederik Lerouge

Identification:

Thare are 2 photographs of fossils from this location in the Fossil Photo database. View the Photographs to identify your own finds!

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