Geology

 

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GEODES

A globular stone having a cavity lined with inward growing crystals or layers of silica.

Many such Geological specimens may be seen within the Geological Dept. of the Museum.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

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Text Box:  The Geology of this area is mostly of the Fort Union and Lance Sandstone deposited from the late Cretaceous era, some 80 to 100 million years ago. The most prominent being the outcrop of amazing and spectacular Medicine Rocks formed by erosion over time.    This late Cretaceous formation of Fort Union and Lance is also the reason many late Cretaceous Dinosaurs are discovered here. Higher elevations of these sedimentary rocks are part of the White River and Arikaree formations and cause the Chalk Butts type of White Clay like elevations seen throughout Southeastern Montana.    Many of the Geological displays you will see in the Museum are from all areas of Montana and North & South Dakota. Particularly the petrified wood used in the construction of the building were found within 40 miles of Ekalaka and predate the destruction of the dinosaurs by several thousand years.      .

 

FOSSILIZED MARINE LIFE

Ammonites, Baculites & Scaphites abound in the soil of Carter County.

  

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CONCRETIONS

   Sandstone is formed in the zone of ground water when dissolved natural cements are deposited around grains of sand.

   If more cement is deposited around one grain of sand, or some other nucleus, the sandstone around that nucleus becomes harder than the rest, and a concretion is formed. After the sandstone has been exposed to erosion and worn away, the concretion still remains.

To contact us:

Carter County Museum

306 N. Main Street

Ekalaka, Montana 59324-0445

Phone: (406) 7756886