Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
The Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument is located in the U.S. state of Colorado. It is located in Teller County 56 km west of Colorado Springs near the Pikes Peak. On August 20, 1969, this area was declared a National Monument. It covers an area of 24 km ² and is situated at an altitude of 2,560 m.
In a mountain valley west of Pikes Peak featuring the remains of past life on Earth in the form of fossilized trees in well-preserved fossils of insects and plants. Here is one of the largest and most diverse collections of fossils in the world, ranging from the tiniest insect to massive petrified redwood trees. Around 1,700 different plant and animal species have been determined.
Earth's
Florissant is the only known locality of the flora of the central Rocky Mountains region of the transition between the Eocene and Oligocene about 34 million years ago. The findings of Florissant are thus between those of the 48 million -year-old Green River Formation and the much younger finds in Creede, Colorado from the Pliocene about 5 million years ago. Thus, they provide insights into the climatic and other environmental conditions and allow the development of the Rocky Mountains to capture region. In addition, the findings of both flora, fauna as exceptionally rich in species and in individuals strong and make the world's best location from his time are dar.
At the end of the Eocene of Florissant Lake, a 24 km long lake dominated the wooded valley. Ample growing ferns and bushes flourished under towering sequoia trees ( redwoods ), arborvitae, pine and deciduous trees such as maples, oaks and hickories. In this warm, moist air lived thousands of insects of various kinds. Fish cavorting in the lake and molluscs, birds and mammals inhabited its shores.
Before about 35 million years ago the valley was buried under millions of tons of volcanic ash, dust, and pumice stone by a volcanic eruption. Over a period of about 700,000 years, there were always new eruptions. At the bottom of the primeval lake the remains of plants and animals were buried and preserved as fossils.
Flora and Fauna
Today, the area of the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument is a landscape of meadows and forests. Pine, fir, spruce and aspen are the most common trees. Large mammals such as elk, mule deer, bear, mountain lions, foxes and coyotes live here. Squirrels and mice are hunted by birds of prey.
Visit
The Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument has a visitor center where a lot of information about the flora, fauna and fossils are offered.