Geologic Resources: Mesozoic Rocks of the Connecticut Valley

Mesozoic Rocks of the Connecticut Valley,
Connecticut and Massachusetts

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			Rocks that were formed during the "Age of the Dinosaurs", the Mesozoic Era, are found in the Connecticut River Valley in portions of the States of Connecticut and Massachusetts. Rocks of the Mesozoic Era have been dated as having been formed during the period from about 65 to 248 million years ago. During this time interval, a rift valley over 100 miles (161 km) long formed between Keene, New Hampshire and New Haven, Connecticut. A rift valley represents a place where the crust of the earth has been pulled apart. Ancient rivers deposited great thicknesses of gravel, sand, and silt from bordering highlands. Lakes and mud flats developed in the valley bottom providing conditions favorable for the preservation of footprints of dinosaurs and other reptiles and amphibians. Fish fossils of Mesozoic age have been found in black shales in the Connecticut Valley, representing periods of a deeper water environment. Mesozoic Rock Outcrop, Dinosaur State Reservation, Smiths Ferry (near Holyoke, Massachusetts), USA. This is a thin-bedded reddish shale deposited during the early Jurassic Period. At this location the formation contains numerous large dinosaur tracks and impressions from plant fragments. Photo by Flo Bruehl, October 29, 2006. Fossilized Dinosaur Tracks - Exhibit at Dinosaur State Park, Rocky Hill, Connecticut, USA. These tracks were found at this location in 1966 and have been left in place. Photo by Flo Bruehl September 30, 2006. Coelophysis Skeleton - Cast of fossil skeleton Coelophysis, an agile, 8-foot long carniverous Triassic Period reptile. The original fossilized skeleton was found on the Ghost Ranch in New Mexico, USA. Exhibit at Dinosaur State Park, Rocky Hill, Connecticut, USA. Photo by Flo Bruehl September 30, 2006. Coelophysis Model - Interpretation of Coelophysis, a bipedal carnivore of the Late Triassic Period. It is estimated that these dinosaurs had a length of about 9 feet (2.8 meters). They were a very lightly-built dinosaur that could run rapidly. Exhibit at Dinosaur State Park, Rocky Hill, Connecticut, USA. Photo by Flo Bruehl September 30, 2006. Diorama Featuring Dilophosaurus - a bipedal carnivore of the Early Jurassic Period. It is estimated that these dinosaurs had a length of about 20 feet (6 meters), and weighed on the order of 650-1,000 pounds (300-450 kg.). Exhibit at Dinosaur State Park, Rocky Hill, Connecticut, USA. Photo by Flo Bruehl September 30, 2006. Diorama - Illustrating an interpreted scene during the Mesozoic Era in Connecticut. Exhibit at Dinosaur State Park, Rocky Hill, Connecticut, USA. Photo by Flo Bruehl September 30, 2006. Fossilized Mesozoic Fish - Exhibit at Dinosaur State Park, Rocky Hill, Connecticut, USA. Photo by Flo Bruehl September 30, 2006. For more about dinosaurs go to our pages: Age of the Dinosaurs Carniverous Dinosaurs of the Cretaceous Period Herbivorous Dinosaurs of the Cretaceous Period Reptiles of the Permian, Triassic, and Jurassic Periods If you're looking for resources for geoprofessionals try our Resources Page. Or if you're looking for books, computers, software and electronics try our Amazon Affiliate Store. Much of the background information about dinosaurs was obtained at the website Enchanted Learning. Welcome to Dinosaur State Park is a website for Dinosaur State Park, Rocky Hill, Connecticut.