One of the displays in Montana Natural History Center’s Museum in Missoula explains the ancient past—i.e. the paleontology—of the state.
According to the Montana Natural History Center:
“Step back in time to prehistoric Montana! You might find yourself floating in a shallow sea, sloshing through a murky swamp, or sliding around on vast sheets of ice. Montana’s rich fossil record represents nearly every major time period in Earth’s history. Take a journey through geologic time and discover how fossils tell the story of Montana’s ancient past—and paint a picture of the future.”
According to the Montana Natural History Center:
“The earth is 4.5 billion years old, and throughout its history dramatic changes in geology and climate have significantly influenced the evolution of life. At times these changes caused the diversity, or variety, of plant and animal life to explode. Other times they triggered massive extinction events that caused many plants and animals to completely disappear.”
One of the keys to understanding the ancient past involves the study of fossils. According to the Montana Natural History Center:
“A fossil is the preserved remains of a plant or animal. Bones, teeth, feathers, claws, shells, and leaves can all become fossils. Signs animals leave behind, such as footprints, toothmarks, trails, and coprolites, or scat, can also become fossils.”
When these remains are quickly buried in sediment, like, mud, sand, or silt, the stage is set for fossils to form. Most plants and animals don’t become fossils because conditions have to be just right.”
These fossils provide evidence of evolution and can reveal how life on earth—both plant life and animal life—have responded to changes in climate and geology.
Extinctions
Extinctions are a natural part of the cycles of life on our planet. The exhibits show five great extinctions in which most living things went extinct and asks if we are facing a sixth extinction caused by humans.
More Paleontology
Paleontology 101: Plant Fossils in the Reach Museum (Photo Diary)
Paleontology 101: Petrified Wood in the Rice Museum (Photo Diary)
Paleontology 101: Ammonites and Crinoids (Photo Diary)
Paleontology 101: The La Brea Tar Pits Museum
Paleontology 101: The La Brea Fossil Lab
Paleontology 101: A Paleontological Site
Paleontology 101: Brontotheres (Photo Diary)
Paleontology 101: The Precambrian--Life Begins (Photo Diary)