Scientists reveal where Earth's undiscovered fossils are most likely waiting
Paleontologists studied 540 million years of fossil records. They learned where new discoveries are most likely to be found.
Reported by ScienceDaily
ShareWhy it matters
Fossil discoveries teach us how life evolved and how past ecosystems worked. Better search strategies will help scientists make faster progress in understanding Earth's ancient life.
In Australia. Australia's remote regions and exposed geological formations could harbour significant fossil sites; the map may guide new research projects and museum excavations here.
Key facts
- 540 million years
- Time span studied
- Paleobiology Database
- Research source
- Thomas A. Neubauer and Mathias Harzhauser
- Scientists
- Two scientists created a map showing where new fossils of ancient marine life are most likely waiting to be found.
- Thomas A. Neubauer and Mathias Harzhauser examined the Paleobiology Database, the world's top fossil resource, comparing its records with geological data to find gaps in our knowledge.
- The Cenozoic Era holds real promise.
- It represents the last 66 million years of Earth's history, which scientists have already explored quite thoroughly.
- Early periods like the Mesozoic and Palaeozoic have been studied so extensively that new discoveries there are unlikely to bring major breakthroughs.
- The map identifies specific locations worldwide where suitable rock formations are easy to reach.
- New species are especially likely to be waiting in these places.
- Paleontologists can now plan expeditions more strategically, using limited research resources more wisely rather than digging where everything has already been found.
