Volcanic Catastrophe

Rhinos and camels in Nebraska? Twelve million years ago they were perfectly preserved by volcanic ash while enjoying a morning at the local water hole. Senior Karanina Scheel uncovers them.

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It seems unlikely but there's rhinos in Nebraska along with camels and, not so surprisingly, deer, horses, and birds. Geology major Karanina Scheel '10 spent part of June traveling with Geology Professor Raymond Rogers to uncover the fossils of perfectly preserved rhinos at Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park near Royal, Nebraska.

The fossils are the result of a volcanic catastrophe that occurred 12 million years ago, blanketing the animals that had congregated around a water hole on the ancient plains of Nebraska. The ash killed and entombed the animals, and preserved them all in exquisite quality.

Karanina will describe the ash bed, which consists of perfectly preserved tiny glass shards, in detail and will interpret the various processes that led to the accumulation of over 2 meters of ash in this particular locale. She'll continue this work into the fall to complete her senior honors thesis in April of 2010. Madeline Marshall '12, also a geology major, assisted Karanina in the field.