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Pipestone Creek Yields Over 8,000 Fossils in Ongoing Dinosaur Excavation

Researchers in Alberta are investigating a catastrophic flood that preserved a Pachyrhinosaurus herd 72 million years ago, offering new insights into herd dynamics and paleoecology.

Overview

  • The Pipestone Creek bonebed in northern Alberta contains one of North America's densest fossil concentrations, with 100 to 300 bones per square meter across a square kilometer.
  • Over 8,000 Pachyrhinosaurus fossils have been excavated so far, all belonging to a single species of horned dinosaur that roamed in massive herds.
  • Scientists believe a catastrophic flooding event wiped out the herd, supported by evidence of sediment swirls from fast-moving water at the site.
  • The site provides a rare opportunity to study intraspecific variation, with researchers documenting unique frill and nasal boss differences among individuals.
  • Evidence suggests scavenging by theropods like Albertosaurus occurred after the flood, adding to the understanding of ecological interactions at the time.