GSM Field Trip

Fossils Collecting

Cannon Falls Minnesota  

Date/time:

 Saturday June 11, 1-4 pm

Leader:  Julie Maxson, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Natural Sciences  (Geology)   
Metropolitan State University

This trip will involve fossil collecting and identification at an excellent exposure of Decorah Shale.

The outcrop is located in a roadcut and is very accessible. No hiking is required.

If time permits, a second outcrop of Platteville Limestone with excellent brachiopod fossils will be visited.

There is no need to sign up for this field trip. Just show up, learn lots, and have fun!

There will, however, be a waiver to sign. 

 If you can not successfully print the waiver, extras will be provided at the beginning of the trip.   

Directions: The first outcrop is located 0.3 miles north of the intersection of county road 9 and highway 56 in Goodhue county.

From the Twin Cities, travel south on highway  52 to Hampton.

At Hampton take highway 56 south approximately 10 miles to 0.3 miles north of the junction with county road 9.

The outcrop is on the east side of the road. The group will caravan to the second outcrop.

Be prepared for mud, especially if it has recently rained.

Rock hammers to expose fresh outcrop, hand lenses, and boxes and labels for your treasures are recommended.

It is also suggested to print out, read, and bring the following pdf files:

HTTP//:mgssun6.mngs.umn.edu/pub2/mnglance/Mn_Fossils.pdf

HTTP://mgssun6.mngs.umn.edu/pub2/mnglance/Paleozoic_bdrk.pdf