Anza-Borrego Desert Paleontology Society
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3.5 MYA Colorado River Delta

For a more detailed description of the history of paleontology and geology in the Anza-Borrego State Park
see  
"Fossil Treasures of the Anza-Borrego Desert",
​George T. Jefferson and Lowell Lindsay, editors, Sunbelt Publications, San Diego California, 2006.
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Paleolandscape

In this paleolandscape, artist John Francis depicts the river delta created by the Colorado River.
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The Setting

Lush, watery floodplain

Dense hardwood forest

20+ inches of rain annually

Vast deltaic depositional apron spread across the Salton Trough at the northern end of the Gulf of California
​
Picture

The Current Environment

Borrego's Colorado River Delta, as it appears today.​  

​Photograph by Richard Ingwall, Anza-Borrego Desert Paleontology Society

​
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The Animals

In our paleolandscape we see:

1. Geese 
(Anser sp.)
2. Killdeer (Charadruis vociferous)
3. Pliocene horse, extinct (Dinohippus sp.)
4. Razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus)
5. Garter snake (Thamnophis sp.)
6. Gomphothere proboscidean, extinct (Gomphotherium sp.)
7. Fan Palm (Washingtonia sp.)

The Fossils

Photographs from Fossil Treasures of the Anza-Borrego Desert
Photograph by Barbara Marrs


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Picture
  • Home
  • Events
  • Learn
    • Contact
    • Anza-Borrego Story
    • Park Geology
    • What is a Fossil
    • Why Study Paleontology
    • How Old Are These Rocks
    • Collecting History
    • Ethics of Collecting
  • Explore
    • Tour the Visitor Center
    • Fossil Treasures
    • Paleoclimatology
    • Rocks of Anza-Borrego
  • Collections
    • Research Permits
  • About Us
    • Paleontology Society
    • Certification Program
    • Educational Support Committee
    • Press Room
  • Join
  • Support
  • Store
  • Links
  • Member Sign In