Paleontologists and Rock Hounds Search for Ancient Sea Traces

Unearthing History: Ancient Sea Fossils Lure Explorers to Nevada’s Arid Landscape

In the heat of a July morning, Hilary Loupee navigated her white Jeep through the rugged terrain of a dusty playa. Her mission: uncovering traces of Nevada’s prehistoric marine life. Loupee, who is the president of the Reno Gem and Mineral Society, identifies as a “rock hound” and frequently scours the canyons and hills near Walker Lake for fossils.

“Everybody knows ‘Jurassic Park,’ right?” Loupee remarked, highlighting the evolutionary significance of the Triassic period, which followed the massive extinction event known as ‘the Great Dying,’ where 95% of Earth’s life perished.

During one of her explorations, Loupee stumbled upon what appeared to be a significant find. “As soon as I popped over the hill, the first thing I saw was a very clearly distal femur bone laying on the ground,” she recounted.

Emma Charles

KUNR Public Radio

Loupee suspected the strange rock might be an ichthyosaur femur.

Currently a barren landscape dotted with shale and spiky plants, this region was once submerged under a tropical sea over 200 million years ago, bustling with diverse marine life. Among its ancient inhabitants were the ammonites, squid-like creatures whose spiral-shaped shells are found in abundance here.

The area was also a habitat for ichthyosaurs, ancient reptiles resembling dolphins, known for their long snouts and sharp teeth. These creatures are now immortalized as Nevada’s state fossil, and their legacy is celebrated in state parks and even a local beer.

Loupee’s recent find, however, turned out to be a false alarm. Despite initial excitement, the “femur” was not a fossil. “It was missing the bone texture,” explained Gary McGaughey, a PhD candidate from Idaho State University, who was consulted to verify the discovery.

McGaughey detailed how fossil hunters distinguish real finds: “The first thing that draws your eye to one, if you’re out prospecting, is the shape.” Unlike the jagged rocks around, fossils often have a round, smooth appearance. In addition, using hand lenses to detect spongy, porous textures similar to modern bone is crucial.

A man in a hat and long sleeved shirt bends over to look at a large, round rock. — Gary McGaughey, a PhD candidate at Idaho State University, examines a rock that might contain a large ammonite fossil.

Despite the setback, Loupee remains undeterred. Her passion for exploring the desert’s hidden treasures continues, and she has made significant finds, including ichthyosaur fossils, in the region before. McGaughey appreciates the involvement of enthusiasts like Loupee, emphasizing the importance of such discoveries. “Keep being excited about paleontology,” he encouraged.

A grey, round, spiraling rock takes up the center of the frame. — The hills around Luning are full of ammonite fossils.

While Loupee’s recent expedition did not yield the fossil she had hoped for, the journey itself remains rewarding. “It’s like an Easter egg hunt,” she described, emphasizing the joy of discovery and the tranquility of the desert landscape. With each trip, there lies the potential for new revelations, just waiting to be uncovered beyond the next hill.