Iowa is a great place to go rockhounding, with a variety of rocks, minerals, and fossils to be found. Here are a few reasons why you should consider going rockhounding in Iowa:
Iowa has a rich geological history. The state is home to rocks and minerals that have formed over millions of years, from the Precambrian era to the Pleistocene epoch.
This diversity of geological formations means that there is a wide variety of rocks and minerals to be found in Iowa, including geodes, agates, fossils, and crystals.
Iowa is home to some of the best geode beds in the country. The Keokuk geode beds in southeastern Iowa are world-famous for their abundance and variety of geodes. Geodes are hollow rocks that are filled with crystals. When you crack open a geode, you never know what you might find inside!
Iowa is a great place to find fossils. The state has a long and diverse fossil record, dating back to the Ordovician period. Fossils of fish, sharks, dinosaurs, and other ancient creatures have been found in Iowa.
Iowa is a great place to find shark teeth. The state is located in the path of the ancient Western Interior Seaway, which made it a hotbed of shark activity millions of years ago.
Shark teeth are commonly found in Iowa, and some of the best places to find them include the Mississippi River, the Des Moines River, and the Cedar River.
If you are looking for a fun and educational activity that the whole family can enjoy, then rockhounding in Iowa is a great option. With so many different rocks, minerals, and fossils to be found, you are sure to have a memorable experience.
Here are some additional tips for rockhounding in Iowa:
- Do your research. Before you go rockhounding, it is important to do some research and learn about the different types of rocks and minerals that can be found in Iowa. This will help you to know what to look for and where to find it.
- Get the proper permits. In some cases, you may need to get a permit from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in order to collect rocks or fossils.
- Be respectful of the environment. When you are rockhounding, it is important to be respectful of the environment. This means leaving no trace and taking only what you need.
- Have fun! Rockhounding is a great way to get outdoors and enjoy nature. So relax, have fun, and see what you can find!
Where to Find Fossils in Iowa?
Here are several locations in Iowa where you can find fossils:
Geode State Park in Keokuk is home to some of the best geode beds in the country. Geodes are hollow rocks that are filled with crystals. When you crack open a geode, you never know what you might find inside!
Maquoketa Caves State Park is home to a variety of fossils, including fish, sharks, and dinosaurs.
Palisades-Kepler State Park is home to a variety of fossils, including crinoids, trilobites, and brachiopods.
Fort Dodge Limestone Quarry is a great place to find fossils of fish, sharks, and other ancient marine creatures.
Soldier Creek is a great place to find shark teeth.
Devonian Fossil Gorge is an ancient seabed that is now exposed in a park in Iowa City. Visitors can find fossils of fish, sharks, and other marine creatures.
Fossil and Prairie Center is a nature center in Rockford, Iowa that has a variety of fossils on display, as well as opportunities for visitors to collect their own fossils.
It is important to note that there are some laws and regulations governing the collection of fossils in Iowa. It is always best to check with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) before collecting any fossils.
You may like: Where to Find Fossils in Indiana?
What Fossils Have Been Found in Iowa?
A variety of fossils have been found in Iowa, including:
Fish: Iowa is home to a wide variety of fish fossils, including placoderms, sharks, and bony fish. Some of the most common fish fossils found in Iowa include:
Placoderms: Placoderms were armored fish that lived in the Devonian period. They were some of the earliest fish to evolve jaws.
Sharks: Sharks have been found in Iowa dating back to the Mississippian period. Some of the most common shark fossils found in Iowa include:
Cretaceous: The most common shark fossils found in Iowa are from the Cretaceous period. These sharks include the Carcharocles megalodon, a giant shark that grew up to 60 feet long.
Jurassic: Jurassic shark fossils are also found in Iowa. These sharks include the Liopleurodon ferox, a large shark with a powerful bite.
Bony fish: Bony fish have been found in Iowa dating back to the Silurian period. Some of the most common bony fish fossils found in Iowa include:
Devonian: Devonian bony fish fossils are the most common in Iowa. These fish include the placoderms, the first bony fish to evolve jaws.
Silurian: Silurian bony fish fossils are also found in Iowa. These fish include the lungfish, which can breathe air and live on land.
Invertebrates: Iowa is also home to a variety of invertebrate fossils, including:
Trilobites: Trilobites were an extinct group of marine arthropods that lived during the Paleozoic era. They were some of the first animals to have a hard outer shell.
Crinoids: Crinoids are marine animals that look like flowers. They have a long stem that attaches them to the seafloor and a crown of feathery arms that they use to filter food from the water.
Brachiopods: Brachiopods are marine animals that have two shells. They are filter feeders and live attached to the seafloor.
Dinosaurs: There have been a few dinosaur fossils found in Iowa, but they are not very common. The most notable dinosaur fossil found in Iowa is a hadrosaur vertebra. Hadrosaurs were duck-billed dinosaurs that lived during the Cretaceous period.
The fossil record in Iowa is still being explored, and it is likely that more fossils will be found in the future.
What Shark Teeth Have Been Found in Iowa?
A variety of shark teeth have been found in Iowa, including:
Carcharocles megalodon: The most common shark tooth found in Iowa is from the Carcharocles megalodon, a giant shark that grew up to 60 feet long. These teeth are typically 3-4 inches long and have a triangular shape with serrated edges.
Cretoxyrhina: Another common shark tooth found in Iowa is from the Cretoxyrhina, a large shark with a powerful bite. These teeth are typically 2-3 inches long and have a triangular shape with smooth edges.
Odontaspis: Odontaspis sharks were common in Iowa during the Cretaceous period. These sharks were about 10 feet long and had teeth that were similar to those of the modern-day bull shark.
Squalicorax: Squalicorax sharks were also common in Iowa during the Cretaceous period. These sharks were about 6 feet long and had teeth that were similar to those of the modern-day great white shark.
Galeocerdo: Galeocerdo sharks are still alive today and are known as tiger sharks. These sharks have been found in Iowa in the fossil record dating back to the Miocene epoch.
Shark teeth are commonly found in Iowa in the Mississippi River, the Des Moines River, and the Cedar River. They can also be found in gravel pits and along river bluffs.
If you are looking for shark teeth in Iowa, the best time to go is in the spring or fall when the water levels are low. You can also find shark teeth by sifting through gravel or sand in river beds or along river bluffs.
Have Any Dinosaurs Been Found in Iowa?
Yes, there have been a few dinosaur fossils found in Iowa, but they are not very common. The most notable dinosaur fossil found in Iowa is a hadrosaur vertebra. Hadrosaurs were duck-billed dinosaurs that lived during the Cretaceous period.
In 2000, Charlie Gillette, a resident of Dickinson County, found a hadrosaur vertebra in a gravel pit.
The vertebra was about 3 inches long and was sent to the University of Iowa for identification. Paleontologists at the university determined that the vertebra belonged to a hadrosaur, a type of duck-billed dinosaur that lived during the Cretaceous period.
This is the only dinosaur fossil that has been found in Iowa that has been positively identified as belonging to a specific dinosaur species.
However, there have been other dinosaur fossils found in Iowa that have not been positively identified. In 1982, Brian Witzke found a piece of bone in Guthrie County that was thought to be from a dinosaur, but it was not possible to identify the species. In 2011, a fossilized dinosaur track was found in Emmet County, but it was also not possible to identify the species of dinosaur that made the track.
The fossil record in Iowa is still being explored, and it is likely that more dinosaur fossils will be found in the future.
What Is the Perfect Location to Find Fossils?
The perfect location to find fossils will vary depending on the type of fossils you are looking for. However, some general tips for finding fossils include:
- Look for areas that have been exposed to erosion, such as riverbeds, cliffs, and stream banks. These areas are more likely to have fossils exposed on the surface.
- Look for areas with sedimentary rocks. Sedimentary rocks are formed from layers of sediment that have been deposited over time. These rocks are more likely to contain fossils than other types of rocks.
- Look for areas with a history of marine life. Many fossils, such as shark teeth and fish fossils, are found in areas that were once underwater.
- If you are looking for specific fossils, such as dinosaur fossils, you may want to research specific locations where these fossils have been found in the past.
What Are the Fossils Laws in Iowa?
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has a number of laws and regulations governing the collection of fossils in Iowa. These laws are in place to protect Iowa’s fossil heritage for future generations.
Here are some of the key fossil laws in Iowa:
- It is illegal to collect fossils on public land without a permit.
- It is illegal to collect fossils from private property without the permission of the landowner.
- It is illegal to sell fossils that were collected illegally.
- It is illegal to damage or destroy fossils.
There are a few exceptions to these laws. For example, it is legal to collect fossils on public land if you have a permit from the DNR.
You can also collect fossils from private property if you have the permission of the landowner.
However, it is always best to check with the DNR before collecting any fossils, even if you think you are exempt from the laws.
The DNR can issue permits for the collection of fossils on public land. These permits are usually issued for scientific research purposes. However, the DNR may also issue permits to individuals who want to collect fossils for personal use.
If you are caught collecting fossils illegally, you could face a fine of up to $1,000 and/or up to 6 months in jail. You could also be ordered to forfeit the fossils that you collected.
By following the fossil laws in Iowa, you can help to protect Iowa’s fossil heritage for future generations.