Paleontology and geologyDuring the Quaternary, ice sheets advancing across the eastern part of the state changed the face of South Dakota. The melting ice deposited a thin veneer of gravels and sands that eventually defined the course of the Missouri River across the state. Vertebrate fossils found in these deposits include those of bison, mammoth, mastodon, and horse. There is no evidence of glaciation in western South Dakota, but both wind and water modified the landscape, resulting in the formation of extensive sand dunes and sediment-filled valleys. In the southwestern part of the state, a Pleistocene sinkhole, the Mammoth Site, is rich in Quaternary fossils. |
Organizations | Research and Collections
Organizations
Museums (showing 1 of 1 listings)
The Mammoth Site: This site provides information about the site itself, the world's largest mammoth research facility, and provides a virtual tour and information on the geology of the site.
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Research and Collections
Ongoing Research Projects (showing 1 of 1 listings)
Big Sioux River: Descriptions, photos and maps showing the Big Sioux River geology, origin, flora and fauna, with emphasis on Sioux Quartzite formations.
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