Come take a closer look at the sea cliffs at New Brighton State Beach. The rocks forming these dramatic cliffs are part of the Purisima Formation, which is exposed along the California Coast from Point Reyes to southern Santa Cruz County. The rocks at New Brighton Beach were deposited under the ocean during the late part of the Pliocence Epoch, approximately three million years ago. We will discuss the formation of marine sedimentary rocks, examine the Purisima Formation fossils at New Brighton Beach, discuss the processes responsible for preserving fossils, and learn about the ancient seafloor environment in which these fossils are preserved! You are guaranteed to see fossils of ancient clams, snails, and whales.
Join paleontologist Noel Heim of Stanford University. Noel is broadly interested in the evolutionary history of animal life in Earth's oceans. Most recently, he has been studying how and why marine animals have gotten larger over the past 550 million years. Noel also teaches undergraduate students at Stanford and works with Bay Area high school students during the summers. New Brighton State Beach is his favorite Bay Area spot to take students to see fossils.
This tour is appropriate for all ages, though we will be walking around and over some large slippery rocks on the beach. The tour will start after high tide, so the tide will be falling, but be prepared to get your feet wet. Collecting of rocks and fossils at New Brighton State Beach is is NOT permitted.
Any and all questions are welcome during the tour‚ we hope to have a discussion which is interesting and informative to all. No prior knowledge is necessary or assumed.
If your plans change you can not make it after you have registered, please change your reservation so someone else can have the opportunity.
Requirements/Restrictions
You must be willing to get your feet wet. We will be mostly walking on beach sand, but we will also have to navigate large slippery rocks on the beach. This is not wheel chair accessible.
Meet at the beach parking lot. Please be prepared to get your feet wet and your hands dirty. Although we will see lots of cool rocks and fossils, collection in State Parks and Beaches is NOT allowed.
Registration
This event will be first come, first served, limited to 40 total participants. The event is free, however there is a $10 per vehicle entrance fee and is paid as you enter the park. Please Register by emailing Noel at the address below.
