Joggins Fossil Cliffs, Fundy Shore, Nova Scotia

Have you heard that the Joggins Fossil Cliffs on the Fundy Shore of Nova Scotia near the New Brunswick boarder were recently designated a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site?

Fossils found in these cliffs provide the best geological history record in the world of life in the coal age, 300 million years ago.

To celebrate, I'm happy to feature these shots taken by my friend Laura on her last visit to the Joggins Fossil Centre. The centre shown in her first photo features displays of fossils found in the area, including the fossil of the oldest known reptile, Hylonomus lyelli. There is also a video display of the history of Joggins and the discovery of the fossils, hosted by an animated land snail, Dendropupa vetusta, whose fossil caused dissension in England regarding the theory of evolution.

Laura's second shot features a fossil found along the beach near the Joggins Cliffs. According to her, specimens like this can be found along the rugged shores, but she asks us to remember that you must not take them home! Also, she cautions us to be careful not to get to close to the cliffs, as the eroding rock may fall at any time.

In Laura's third photo, can you spot the fossilized tree branches?