Condition assessment of paleontological resources within Alaska’s Arctic Parks

Lanik, Amanda; Hults, Chad; Rasic, Jeffrey

doi:10.36967/nrr-2278753

Paleontological resources, or fossils, are any evidence of life that has been preserved in the geologic record. Alaska’s Arctic Network parklands (Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, Cape Krusenstern National Monument, Noatak National Preserve, Kobuk Valley National Park, and Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve) contain a wealth of paleontological resources found in both bedrock and surficial deposits. These paleontological resources can been split into two broad categories: Cenozoic (66 Ma-Recent) fossils from unconsolidated and lithified surficial deposits and Paleozoic (541–252 Ma) to Mesozoic (252–66 Ma) fossils from sedimentary and metasedimentary bedrock. This report summarizes the geologic units that occur within Alaska’s Arctic parklands and the general fossil types that are presently known in these units. In addition, examples of paleontological research conducted in and around the parks is discussed to put these fossils in a broader geologic context, demonstrate their scientific importance, and identify potential topics for future research. Finally, management of paleontological resources is discussed and high-priority fossil sites are identified. Cenozoic (66 Ma-Present) fossils have been found in lithified and unconsolidated deposits of Pleistocene (2.6–0.01 Ma) and Holocene (0.01 Ma-Present) age. These deposits, and associated fossils, are of interest because they record the paleoenvironment of ice-age Beringia. Cenozoic fossils in the parks are either found in-situ, meaning they are found in their geologic context, or detrital, meaning they lack stratigraphic context. Several examples of fossil localities that contain in-situ fossils include the Kitluk Paleosol, Cape Deceit, Epiguruk, and Elephant Point. Out-of-context, detrital fossils can be found eroding out of surficial deposits along riverbeds, lake shores, and coastal exposures throughout the Arctic Network parklands. While detrital fossils are no longer in stratigraphic context, techniques such as radiocarbon dating, stable isotope analysis, and ancient DNA analysis can be applied to these specimens to address a range of research questions. In addition to terrestrial fossils, Cenozoic marine fossils have been reported in areas along the coast of Bering Land Bridge National Preserve and Cape Krusenstern National Monument that correspond to the Pelukian transgression (last interglacial period, approximately 120 Ka) (Brigham-Grette and Hopkins 1995). There is a high potential to discover new Cenozoic fossil sites within Arctic Network parklands. These include paleosols, cave deposits, and both in-situ and detrital mammal fossils.

Condition assessment of paleontological resources within Alaska’s Arctic Parks

Series

Other versions