MOAB, Utah – The Utah Geological Survey (UGS) has officially opened a new paleontological excavation site that may hold the key to understanding a major evolutionary turning point. The site, which teams officially opened for excavation in mid-October, is currently tied as potentially the oldest Cretaceous dinosaur bonebed in North America. Estimated at between 138-141 Million years old, this site provides context on the transition from the Jurassic to the Cretaceous.
Geologically, the locality is nearly equivalent to the UGS's renowned Doellings Bowl Site, located six miles to the east near the base of the Cedar Mountain Formation. Paleontologists believe this new site will be vital to ongoing research investigating the end-Jurassic dinosaurian mass extinction—a catastrophic global event that led to the near-complete extinction of Utah's famed Morrison Formation dinosaur fauna (which includes iconic dinosaurs like Stegosaurus, Allosaurus and Apatosaurus).
The newly opened site also appears to contain the remains of a newly discovered species of armored dinosaur. This unique dinosaur is currently being described and named by State Paleontologist Jim Kirkland in honor of his long-time colleague, Don DeBlieux.
End of an Era: 25 Years of Collaboration
This excavation carries sentimental weight for the UGS team, as it marks what is likely the final field season together for project leads Jim Kirkland and Don DeBlieux. After a remarkable 25 years of working side-by-side to uncover and preserve Utah's rich prehistoric heritage, DeBlieux will retire at the end of the year.
- Dr. Jim Kirkland, State Paleontologist: Dr. Kirkland has served as the Utah State Paleontologist since 1999. A giant in the field of paleontology, he is globally recognized for discovering and naming numerous defining dinosaur species, most notably the Utahraptor. His decades of research have fundamentally reshaped our understanding of the Mesozoic Era in the American Southwest.
- Don DeBlieux, Assistant State Paleontologist: An extraordinary field researcher and fossil preparator, DeBlieux has spent over two decades meticulously excavating, preparing, and protecting some of the state's most significant and delicate fossil discoveries. His expertise in the field and the lab has been the backbone of countless UGS paleontological successes.
Together, Kirkland and DeBlieux have formed one of the most prolific and enduring partnerships in modern paleontology. This new Cretaceous site serves as a fitting capstone to their quarter-century of shared scientific exploration.
Additional Media Resources:
For background on the UGS's ongoing research regarding this newly discovered extinction event, media members are encouraged to view Dr. Jim Kirkland's recent presentation Research on the End-Jurassic Mass Extinction.
Additionally, the UGS is excited to provide the attached visual assets for use by the media.