Theses and Dissertations at Montana State University (MSU)
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://scholarworks.montana.edu/handle/1/733
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Item Bullion Creek and Sentinel Butte formations: a study of relative dating and specimen descriptions from near Cartwright, North Dakota(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2022) Graham, Veronica Noel; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: C. John GravesMakenzie County in North Dakota, especially near Cartwright has not been explored by paleontologists for some time and never in great detail, yet the area is full evidence of the past. This paper focuses on the period of time between 50 and 65 million years ago when the area was believed to be a swampy sub-tropical forest skirting an inner continental seaway. It is the purpose of this paper to determine, through rock description and fossil leaf identification, the formation or formations present in this area of focus. These formations will in-turn pinpoint the time period in which the exposures were deposited. Identification of leaf impressions and molds are based on 9 key identifiers; lamina width and length, type of margin, lobation, apex and base type, apex and base angle, and vein pattern. Fossil leaf specimens can be identified to the class Magnoliopsida and other family levels, such as Taxodiaceae, Ulmaceae, Alismaceae, Betulaceae, and Sabiaceae. Additionally, some leaf specimens can be identified to the genus and species levels, including Metasequoia occidentalis, Ulmites microphylla, Alismaphyllites grandifolius, Meliosma vandaelium, and Corylus insignis. Fossils were collected on private land just outside Cartwright North Dakota where they were prepped for transport. In the lab setting they were cleaned, cataloged, and identified for the purpose of relative dating. These results demonstrate that both Sentinel Butte and Bullion Creek formations are present in the study area.Item An analysis of fossil identification guides to improve data reporting in citizen science programs(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2018) Butler, Dava; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Greg FrancisAn increasing number of organizations use untrained volunteers to gather scientific data. This citizen science movement builds enthusiasm for science by engaging the public, as well as providing a way to gather large amounts of information at little or no expense. The challenge of citizen science is obtaining accurate information from participants. Identifying an image style that increases correct identifications helps not only the citizen science movement but also scientific instruction in general. This study tests three visual guides for identifying late Hemphillian (5-4.5 m.y.a.) fossils from Polk County, Florida. Each guide has identical layout and text, differing only in image style: color photos, grayscale photos, or illustrations. Teams of untrained participants each use one guide to identify fossils. Geology and paleontology professionals also identify fossils for comparison. Comparing results reveals that photographic images, either color or grayscale, produce results most similar to data from professionals.