22nd February, 2024
CHIRANJIT MITRA
While many states boast rich dinosaur fossil discoveries, Maine has never yielded a single confirmed dinosaur bone. But why?
● The Age of Dinosaurs (the Mesozoic Era) lasted roughly 252 to 66 million years ago. ● Maine's bedrock mainly formed before or after this period, sadly missing the window for fossilization.
● Maine experienced extensive erosion during the Mesozoic due to mountain building and glacial activity. ● Any potential dinosaur fossils likely eroded long before modern times.
● Dinosaur fossils are mostly found in sedimentary rocks – think layers of sand and mud. ● However, much of Maine's bedrock is igneous (from volcanoes) or metamorphic (transformed by heat and pressure), neither ideal for preserving fossils.
● During the last Ice Age, massive glaciers covered Maine, scouring the landscape. ● These glaciers would have further eroded any remaining dinosaur fossils or scattered them far away.
● While dinosaurs are off the table, Maine has incredible fossils from other periods! ● These include ancient marine creatures, plants, and even Ice Age animals, offering a glimpse into the state's rich geological history.