Paleontology and Geology of Missouri

Barry Sutton (standing) and Dr. Norm King
studying the formations at the I-170 Pennsylvanian exposure

This site is a Paleontological research project based in
St. Louis, Missouri, devoted to the study of the geological
formations in Missouri. Primary focus is the study of the
geological formations in the St. Louis area.

The fossils are grouped by formation

Pennsylvanian Fossils of Missouri
I-170 Pennsylvanian Exposure (St. Louis, Missouri)
     Phyla list
     Recent Additions and Updates

The I-170 Pennsylvanian Exposure in St. Louis, Missouri
This link takes you to a discussion by Dr. Norman R. King, Professor of
Geology at the University of Southern Indiana, about the rocks exposed
at the I-170 highway cut. Dr. King describes the rock units and correlates
them with rock units elsewhere in the Midcontinent region. He interprets
their environments of deposition, and also places them in the context of
larger-scale geological processes taking place in the Midcontinent region
and around the globe during the Pennsylvanian Period.

Mississippian Fossils of Missouri
     Phyla list
     Recent Additions and Updates

Other Fossils (USA and World Wide)
     Phyla list
     Recent Additions and Updates

Site Phyla List
List of all fossils featured on the above pages
     Recent Additions and Updates to all Fossil Menus

The Library



Geologic Map of Missouri
   Click on the Map to view Large (310K)



Other projects and archives

Carboniferous fossils of Russia
Produced by: Barry Sutton, Alexander Davydov and Tom Yancey
This website is presented to showcase Carboniferous fossils of the
Moscow region of Russia; an area that is world famous for beautifully
preserved fossils.
     Pennsylvanian Menu Gzhelian Stage, Rusavkian substage
     Stratigraphy and Sediments Gzhelian Stage, Rusavkian substage
     Pennsylvanian Fossil Menu Gzhelian Stage, Rusavkian substage
     Mississippian Menu Visean Stage, Aleksian-Mikhailovian substages
     Mississippian Fossil Menu Visean Stage, Aleksian-Mikhailovian substages

Summer fossil hunt in Russia
Join Alexander and friends on a fossil hunt in Russia.
A very unique and enjoyable visual experience.
"Language separates us ... Pictures bring us together"
Barry Sutton and Alexander Davydov

Austin's First Fossil Hunt
My daughter and I took a future Paleontologist
on his first fossil hunt

We took the Water Pump on this fossil hunt
When we fossil hunt near water ... we always take the pump

A Trilobite Tale
Carl Cook cutting out a fossil using the field Rock Saw
Note: 10 pictures on this page. May take a couple of minutes
to load if you do not have a high speed connection.

The Missouri Botanical Garden
Dr. Steven R. Hill (Botanist at the Illinois Natural History Survey in
Champaign, and a Research Associate at the Missouri Botanical Garden)
gave a tour of a portion of the Botanical Garden as well as portions of
the Monsanto Building.

Fossils with "the Personal Touch"
The only way to illustrate the true size and shape of fossils.
We all have a desire to pick up and hold a fossil. The learning
experience is not complete until we can hold the fossil.
The sense of touch is essential to the learning experience.

Missouri Fossils
by: Dr. Bruce L. Stinchcomb
Excellent overview of the Geology and Fossils of Missouri
This web publication authorized by Dr. Bruce L. Stinchcomb

Identifying Some Common Archimedes Bryozoans
Alan Goldstein identifies specimens from his collection

Links (Missouri)

SLIP
Carl Cook's fossil preparation tools & accessories

Prehistoric Life of St. Louis City/County, Mo.
History's Time Portal to Old St. Louis (Home Page)
by: Scott Williams

The Geology of Missouri
Jo Schaper

Missouri Department of Natural Resources
    Maps and Publications
    Catalog of Publications (PDF file)
    Site Map
    Home Page

Other Links

Nebraska's Invertebrate Fossils
Dr. Roger K. Pabian

Oceans of Kansas - Paleontology
Dr. Mike Everhart

A Guide to the Orders of Trilobites
Dr. Sam Gon III

Photo Gallery of Dinosaur Tracks
Glen J. Kuban

Paleozoic.org
Geoff Notkin

Discovering Fossils
Roy Shepherd and Lucinda Algar
Something for Everyone!

Miscellaneous

Are you a member of a Paleontology or Fossil
Internet discussion list?
Click Here  Paleolist

Search for Pictures on the web
Yahoo Image Search
AltaVista Image Search

About the projects

Pennsylvanian Fossils of Missouri (core project)
Although these Pennsylvanian pages are named "Pennsylvanian Fossils
of Missouri", this web site is more accurately devoted to a study of the
Altamont Formation, containing the fossiliferous Lake Neosho Shale,
at one locality in the St. Louis, Missouri, Pennsylvanian Outlier.

I have spent 8 years collecting the fossils at this road cut near the
intersection of I-70 and I-170 in St. Louis. When I meet people in the
area who don't know me and I tell them what I do and where I collect,
they say "Oh, so you're That Guy on the Side of the Road!"

After spending six years collecting the site, I made a decision to
research and identify the fossil specimens and publish the results
as a web publication -- A way of helping to provide information on
the Pennsylvanian of the area and to help others working with
Pennsylvanian fossils.

The Mississippian Fossils of Missouri project is focused on the
Mississippian exposures in the St. Louis area. The Mississippian
project started in August 2001 and this portion of the site is expanding.

Other Fossils (USA and World Wide)
This selection is a collection of fossils that are not part of the
Pennsylvanian or Mississippian studies around St. Louis; here
you will find specimens from other Mississippian and Pennsylvanian
localities as well as specimens from around the world.

Additional Comments:

You will see that this web site has a unique style that I find very
stimulating. Not only will you see very high quality pictures, you will
see the comments of others who are contributing to the site. I post
"Viewer Comments" beneath the pictures, promoting the joint venture
concept. Bringing together professionals and amateurs benefits the
science; it also promotes the concept that this is a research endeavor
and not the findings and opinions of just one individual.

Viewer Comments are only posted after permission is granted.
So, feel free to make comments.

I do not have a "Paleo Ego" regarding the research.  Pages are
updated immediately when initial identifications are found to be
incorrect.  In most cases I try to leave the identification out of the
web page when I am not positive.  This is why you may see some
pages labeled "Identification pending."

Someone asked me once, "Why doesn't it bother you to be wrong?"
My reply ... "If I am right all the time, I am not learning."

These pages don't include fancy "bells and whistles" and side bar menus.
Some have said they like the "Cut to the Chase" format.

The pictures on this web site are the sole and
personal property of Barry Sutton.
© All rights reserved
Those wishing to use any pictures should contact me.
In most cases, written permission will be granted.

Contact:
Barry G. Sutton ("That Guy on the Side of the Road")
BGSutton@LakeNeosho.org

LakeNeosho.org
has been on-line since November 6, 1999

This web site is dedicated to my Dad.  He taught me to be
curious, research the unknown, network to find help or the
answers and never be embarrassed to say ... "I don't know."

Top of Page