Geologic and Fossil History of the Badlands

Video #2 of 2 (5/30/2024):
Howdy! Here's a film that gives a bit more background on the geology and fossil record of the Badlands National Park! If you were to go back in time approximately 40-30 million years ago, this landmass was covered by the western interior seaway. Fossils from a Mosasaurus have been found in this park.
However, landmasses collided, and it caused an uplift. Part of that uplift was responsible for creating the Black Hills further west. As erosion, deposition, and weathering took place, the sediments once covered the black hills were moved eastward. Therefore, that is how the Badlands exist. The film goes over a couple of species examples and geologic formations.
I also had the pleasure of meeting Mattison Shreero, who is a fellow ranger and paleontologist ;). She also helped recently published a new scientific paper on a newly discovered species of deer called the Santuccimeryx elissae! She also appreciates how I was interpreting the landscape!
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