Triassic/Jurassic symposium

[MKIRKALDY@aol.com]

Posted for Jim Kirkland - mk
______
 
Could you please tell folks on the Dino list server about this upcoming 
conference (see announcement below).

I'm also interested in the possibility of an associated art show on the same 
topic.
 
We are also interested in knowing if any artists might be willing to help out 
with art on the topic for the color guidebook we are putting together?

Thanks
 
Jim Kirkland
 
James I. Kirkland Ph. D.
State Paleontologist 
Utah Geological Survey
1594 West North Temple, Suite 3110
P.O. Box 146100
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6100

(801) 537-3307   FAX (801) 537-3400
jameskirkland@utah.gov
http://members.networld.com/kirkland/ 
_____

Preliminary Announcement
 
TRACKING DINOSAUR ORIGINS:
THE TRIASSIC/JURASSIC TERRESTRIAL TRANSITION

March 22-24th, 2005
Dixie State College
St. George, Utah

Followed by the Utah Friends of Paleontology Annual Meeting - March 25-26, 2005

    The Triassic/Jurassic transition is a critical time in Earth history, 
recording the origins and early radiation of dinosaurs, pterosaurs, 
crocodilians, mammals, and several other significant Mesozoic vertebrate 
clades.  Additionally, a major interval of faunal stepwise extinction is 
recorded in both the marine and terrestrial environments that may be linked to 
impact events, setting the stage for the ascendance of dinosaurs to a position 
of dominance for the remainder of the Mesozoic.  Current research in this area 
is dynamic with important implications to a number of areas in paleobiology and 
geology.
    A number of recently discovered fossil localities in a little researched 
area of southwestern Utah that preserves a thick sequence of rocks spanning the 
Triassic/Jurassic interval are proving to be a catalyst for new studies on this 
time period.  In addition to discoveries at Zion National Park and Grand 
Staircase-Escalante National Monument, many of these discoveries have centered 
on the basal Jurassic St. George Dinosaur Tracksite at Johnson Farm.  This 
remarkable new site preserves an extraordinary series of track levels along the 
margin of a Hettangian lake (âLake Dixieâ) and has associated fossil 
plants, invertebrates, fish, and dinosaur remains making it particularly 
significant.  These discoveries, along with a new interpretive center slated to 
open in the summer of 2004, provide an impetus to bring scientists together to 
discuss terrestrial faunas across the Triassic/Jurassic transition in a 
dramatic geologic setting unfamiliar to most attendees.
    A proceedings volume to be published by the New Mexico Museum of Natural 
History and Science, and a full color overview volume is planned by the Utah 
Geological Survey for initial distribution to attendees at the conference.  
This volume will include short review papers on areas of critical interest 
regarding the Triassic/Jurassic terrestrial transition in various areas of the 
world, summary papers on these rocks, and their preserved fossils in 
southwestern Utah. 

Preliminary Conference Program

March 22       Plenary Papers  30 min. each
March 23       General Conference Papers   20 min. each
March 24       Field Trip: Triassic/Jurassic Geology and Paleontology in the 
St. George and Zion National Park areas

Conference participants may fly into St. George, Utah directly, or speakers may 
fly into Las Vegas, Nevada and then be transported by volunteers to St. George.

Conference participants are invited to remain for the Utah Friends of 
Paleontology Annual Meeting, which will include additional afternoon field 
trips on March 25 and 26.

Information on the St. George tracksite may be viewed starting on page 4 of 
Survey Notes v. 34, no. 5. http://geology.utah.gov/surveynotes/snt34-3.pdf
Sponsored by Utah Geological Survey, Dixie State College, City of St. George, 
Utah Friends of Paleontology