Coon Creek Science Center facts for kids
The Coon Creek Science Center is a cool place in Adamsville, Tennessee, US. It's a science center where you can actually dig for fossils! You'll find it at 2985 Hardin Graveyard Road in McNairy County.
This science center sits on a huge property, about 232 acres. It's one of the most important places in North America for finding fossils. Imagine discovering something that lived millions of years ago!
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Discovering the Coon Creek Science Center
The Coon Creek Science Center is more than just a museum. It's an active fossil site. This means you can learn about ancient life and even find your own fossils. It's a great spot for young scientists and anyone curious about Earth's past.
What is the Coon Creek Formation?
The special area where the science center is located is called the Coon Creek Formation. A geologic formation is like a layer of rock or soil that has unique features. This formation is found in western Tennessee and parts of northeast Mississippi.
A Look Back in Time: The Late Cretaceous Period
The Coon Creek Formation is very old, about 73 million years old! This was during a time called the Late Cretaceous epoch. Back then, the Gulf of Mexico was much larger. It stretched far north, covering what is now West Tennessee with water.
The ground here is made of a sandy marl deposit. Marl is a type of soil that's a mix of clay, silt, and calcium carbonate. This kind of soil is perfect for preserving ancient life.
How Fossils Formed at Coon Creek
When the water from the ancient Gulf of Mexico slowly pulled back, it left behind many marine creatures. These creatures died and were covered by layers of sand and mud. Over millions of years, these layers hardened, and the remains of the animals turned into fossils. This process is called fossilization.
What Kinds of Fossils Can You Find?
At the Coon Creek site, you can discover many different types of fossils. Most of them are from marine animals that lived in the ancient sea.
- You might find ancient seashells.
- There are also fossils of crabs.
- Snails from millions of years ago are common.
- Sometimes, even parts of larger animals, called vertebrates, are found.
It's like a treasure hunt into Earth's history!
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