Using Trilobites as Tools
Trilobites are extinct marine arthropods. Their longevity in the fossil record (~270 million years) and durable, calcified skeletons has resulted in them being relatively common in many Paleozoic sedimentary rocks. This allows paleontologists and geologists to use them as tools for a variety of purposes, including determining the ages of rocks, understanding the order of events that occurred in ancient oceans, and understanding evolutionary events that occurred deep in the past. In this presentation, William will discuss some of the applications of trilobite fossils, including excerpts from his own work and from other authors.
Biography: William is currently completing an MSc in Geology at Laurentian and has a BSc in Earth Sciences from Laurentian. Born in Scarborough, but raised in Manitoulin, William has been an avid fossil collector for most of his life and has an extensive collection of Ordovician, Silurian, and Devonian fossils from a variety of locations in southern Ontario. William’s thesis research focuses on the taxonomy of lower to middle Cambrian trilobites from the Mackenzie mountains and their applications to understanding events that occurred in ancient oceans as well as determining the relative ages of rocks. William’s hobbies outside of paleontology include playing video games and petting dogs.
Meeting is at the usual place and time 8 pm
Knox United Church Meeting Hall; 2569 Midland Ave., Scarborough, ON iM1S 1R3
Note: June’s meeting is a week later