TaphonomyandRareEarthElementGeochemistryofthe.pptVIP

Taphonomy and Rare Earth Element Geochemistry of the Stegosaurus sp. at the Cleveland Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry, Emery County, Utah by Celina Suarez Trinity University Temple University San Antonio, TX Philadelphia, PA Geologic Setting Morrison Formation Brushy Basin Member Exposed by the San Rafael monocline Located below variegated beds of the upper most Brushy Basin, in a section dominated by gray siltstones, lacustrine limestones, and small channel sandstones. The Cleveland Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry The largest deposit of Allosaurus fragilis in the world – 47 (Gates, 2002) over 10,000 bones Deposited in a calcareous mudstone with small concretions to large concretionary layers of carbonate, capped by a lacustrine limestone Most recent research: ephemeral pond that accumulated bones as the result of multiple drought events (Gates, 2002) Taphonomy and Rare Earth Element Geochemistry the Stegosaurus sp. in the CLDQ Is the taphonomic analysis of the Stegosaurs in the research square significantly different than the taphonomic analysis of the Allosaurs? Is the REE geochemistry of the Stegosaurs significantly different from the Allosaurs? Does the REE geochemistry analysis support the findings of Gates (2002)? Population Study Various taphonomic approaches to Cleveland Lloyd… Bone positioning Taphonomic markings or bone alteration and surface features Lithologic Evidence Rare Earth Element Geochemistry Results: Population Survey Minimum of six individuals of Stegosaurus based on the number of humeri and scapulae Mapping and Excavation Bone Positioning Mostly flat lying Some degree of orientation due to seasonal fluvial activity Bones in the research square are autochthonous based on the presence of large bone material and small sediment size, which is also consistent with findings by Gates (2002). Taphonomic Markings Pathologic Deformation-left side Taphonomic Markings: Fracture Only one: Allosaurus gastralia 30% of bones in the bones surveyed by Gates (2002) have fr