The Fossil Forests of Joggins: How a Quest for Coal Shaped Paleontology

Thumbnail Image Credit: Michael C. Rygel via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0, commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Ca... (This is an awesome image of the fossil wall at Joggins, take a look).
The Mi’kmaw called the area Chegoggin, “the place of the fishing weirs.” Chegoggin became “The Joggins,” to the English, then “The South Joggins,” and finally, “Joggins.” This form of haunting is common among place names in Nova Scotia. The original name lies curled inside the shape of the new one, at once destroyed and preserved.
Today, Joggins is a tiny village on the western coast of Nova Scotia, Canada. 315 million years ago, it was an equatorial forest whose ghost would profoundly affect the emerging science of paleontology.
The cliffs below Joggins are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dr. John Calder, who was instrumental in securing that recognition, calls them the “story book of the Coal Age.” It is a book to be read in wonder, but not lightly. To Calder, the cliffs “hold great lessons for us about our shared past and our future together on this changing earth.”
Here and there, embedded high in the face of the cliffs, are what appear to be Grecian columns. The columns are the trunks of fossilized lycopsid trees, kings of the Coal Age forests. Within the layers of rock, 60 ancient forests are still standing. Their trees are upright and hollow, their stone roots reaching deeper than in life. Small creatures are entombed inside the trees, some of the earliest land-dwelling vertebrates. One is Hylonomus lyelli, the first reptile in the fossil record.
After 315 million years in darkness, erosion is pulling them all back into the light. The first hollow tree creatures were discovered in 1852 by the famous Scottish geologist Sir Charles Lyell and his colleague, Canadian paleontologist Sir William Dawson; but you might equally say that the creatures discovered them, by crashing down onto the beach at the right time.
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Further Reading:
The main source for this essay is The Joggins Fossil Cliffs: Coal Age Galapagos by John Calder books.google.ca/books/about/T...
Another main source, this video showing amazing views of the Joggins Fossil Cliffs by Brian Hebert and the Atlantic Geoscience Society: • Joggins Fossil Cliffs-...
The Fossil Cliffs of Joggins by Laing Ferguson, a guidebook to interpreting the site: books.google.ca/books/about/T...
The Carboniferous: ucmp.berkeley.edu/carbonifero...
Uniformitarianism: Charles Lyell: evolution.berkeley.edu/the-hi...
Reptiles: www.britannica.com/animal/rep...
Which Came First: The Reptile or the Egg?: www.sciencedaily.com/releases...
The Joggins Fossil Center: jogginsfossilcliffs.net
A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson. Chapter 6, “Science red in tooth and claw,” on 19th century geological controversy: books.google.ca/books/about/A...

Пікірлер: 117

  • @resileaf9501
    @resileaf9501Ай бұрын

    That storytelling style was pretty interesting! Well done to the writer!

  • @jivoochi
    @jivoochiАй бұрын

    Nova Scotian here, really cool to see Joggins getting covered on your channel!

  • @geographicstravel

    @geographicstravel

    Ай бұрын

    I couldn't find a pronunciation guide for Joggins itself. Did I get it right?

  • @jivoochi

    @jivoochi

    Ай бұрын

    You nailed it!

  • @geographicstravel

    @geographicstravel

    Ай бұрын

    Sweet! That's good to hear.

  • @JackLeMetis

    @JackLeMetis

    Ай бұрын

    I've been waiting for a long time! There aren't lots of videos going around. This was refreshing, from New-Brunswick

  • @colinmacphee
    @colinmacpheeАй бұрын

    I’ve lived in Nova Scotia for almost 18 years and never been to joggins. Now I’ll have to check this out!

  • @JackLeMetis

    @JackLeMetis

    Ай бұрын

    Worth it* 😊

  • @mudgetheexpendable
    @mudgetheexpendableАй бұрын

    What a great script! Talented writer indeed.

  • @geographicstravel

    @geographicstravel

    Ай бұрын

    She's already working on her second one.

  • @jimcappa6815
    @jimcappa6815Ай бұрын

    Thanks Quentin and Eric! Really enjoyed the story style of this one!

  • @anthonyfrench3169
    @anthonyfrench3169Ай бұрын

    I really liked the style of writing here. Very educational and relaxing at the same time.

  • @popcornfordinner5057
    @popcornfordinner5057Ай бұрын

    Omg please make more of these story centered readings. Literally had a brain orgasm

  • @BruceBoyde
    @BruceBoydeАй бұрын

    I really enjoyed the more "storytelling" style of this one. I'd never heard of this place and it was all new to me.

  • @kikimando2580
    @kikimando2580Ай бұрын

    I love having Eric as a host!

  • @fredricktalbot1945
    @fredricktalbot1945Ай бұрын

    I’m loving the new mixed format! Having readers this good is sweet. Some readings need a different format, reading, touch and what we have available is pretty sweet. Thanks to the team.

  • @danielsantiagourtado3430
    @danielsantiagourtado3430Ай бұрын

    Hey eric! Amazing work

  • @geographicstravel

    @geographicstravel

    Ай бұрын

    Quentin deserves a lot of the praise. Her script is a banger.

  • @ignitionfrn2223
    @ignitionfrn2223Ай бұрын

    2:15 - Chapter 1 - The forest then & now 4:40 - Chapter 2 - How did the book form 6:25 - Chapter 3 - Reading the book 8:00 - Chapter 4 - Gradualism 10:30 - Chapter 5 - What does each layer represent ? 11:35 - Chapter 6 - Life in the pages 12:55 - Chapter 7 - Darwing & joggins 14:45 - Chapter 8 - Coal 17:25 - Chapter 9 - Debates bout joggins 21:15 - Conclusion

  • @harrisonmiller6475
    @harrisonmiller6475Ай бұрын

    Eric your voice is so majestic and awesome! U did a great video!

  • @terribleteddy

    @terribleteddy

    Ай бұрын

    Soothing :)

  • @tammileroux3329

    @tammileroux3329

    Ай бұрын

    But it's not Simon's voice. No one could quite do it like he could

  • @EyesOfByes
    @EyesOfByesАй бұрын

    Only feedback I have: Better audio recording quality needed. A bit tincanny. Other than that, pure gold

  • @geographicstravel

    @geographicstravel

    Ай бұрын

    I've since narrowed down my audio presets in Audition. But sometimes when the team renders the video, it screws with my audio. Don't know why. I've caught it a couple of times.

  • @AudraK
    @AudraKАй бұрын

    I remember seeing something about the cliffs. I found it absolutely fascinating. Scientists would speak of walking the shore week after week then one day they would come back and find a massive skull on the ground that had dislodged itself from the cliff face. Waiting to be found. I love that shit.

  • @patrickmullen237
    @patrickmullen237Ай бұрын

    Keep this form of narration up! This was wonderful to listen too.

  • @gailpliley901
    @gailpliley901Ай бұрын

    Thank you Eric. Great job.

  • @kddicks5115
    @kddicks5115Ай бұрын

    Enjoyed the twist on this one. Definitely made it entertaining and incredibly informative. 👍👍😊😊

  • @KERNOW08
    @KERNOW08Ай бұрын

    I liked the writing style a lot, and Eric's delivery.

  • @JackLeMetis
    @JackLeMetisАй бұрын

    Awesome! One of my favorite area to visit, I'm from New Brunswick! I am going for a visit Sunday! 😮😂 Few adits in the area, coal seams and plenty of fossils! Truly beautifull

  • @katyafan
    @katyafanАй бұрын

    Cool! Love Simon, but glad to see someone new, great job, great script, looking forward to the next one!

  • @wavejumpinseadoo
    @wavejumpinseadooАй бұрын

    This is excellent!! Nova Scotian here; I’ve been there twice. You can take a guided tour of the beach in front of the cliffs with an interpreter who will identify all the fossils you find (you’ll find plenty). Awesome to see on the channel; so well written

  • @justliam2768
    @justliam2768Ай бұрын

    That was fantastic 👍

  • @bethmarriott9292
    @bethmarriott9292Ай бұрын

    Solid bedtime story for this lil 🪨er, thanks Eric ✨✨✨

  • @seanbordenkircher7854
    @seanbordenkircher7854Ай бұрын

    History does not repeat itself, but it often rhymes. I definitely enjoy these fresher takes with You or Karl. You have a great voice and a truly superb last name.

  • @user-jf1hg8ff4d
    @user-jf1hg8ff4dАй бұрын

    So this is what Mick Foley is doin now, cool.

  • @somejerkbag

    @somejerkbag

    Ай бұрын

    😂

  • @plomox1234
    @plomox1234Ай бұрын

    Really enjoyed the story, very engaging. Would watch more in thr style

  • @marywenrich8050
    @marywenrich805029 күн бұрын

    Can this writer write all the scientific scripts? They make them sound beautiful 😍

  • @Mikkelltheimmortal
    @MikkelltheimmortalАй бұрын

    I enjoyed the presentation. The story style was captivating and left me wanting more.

  • @Lisa-ol1ih
    @Lisa-ol1ihАй бұрын

    I love the storytelling style!!! Please do more

  • @justliam2768
    @justliam2768Ай бұрын

    That was fantastic. 👍

  • @ir0nknight721
    @ir0nknight721Ай бұрын

    That was really good. A very nice change that I would like to see more of. Thank you.

  • @mr.bobface9898
    @mr.bobface9898Ай бұрын

    I go there all the time. Beautiful place. Lots ro find

  • @Thomascogo2
    @Thomascogo2Ай бұрын

    Beautifully presented, very informative, thank you

  • @johnphillips519
    @johnphillips519Ай бұрын

    Brilliant 👍

  • @caseycrusenberry8523
    @caseycrusenberry8523Ай бұрын

    That was fun and interesting. Thanks

  • @jessamineprice5803
    @jessamineprice5803Ай бұрын

    Hypnotic indeed! Good one

  • @ibtsdad
    @ibtsdadАй бұрын

    I think this fits your sound and style the best I've heard from you

  • @amylynch429
    @amylynch429Ай бұрын

    Love it!!

  • @OddObama
    @OddObamaАй бұрын

    Good video

  • @likebot.
    @likebot.Ай бұрын

    I've spent quite a few happy hours wandering the beaches along these cliffs. I have some of the fossilized plants from before it became a UNESCO heritage site, but I'd never pick anything from the beaches now. I think it's frowned upon these days.

  • @MSTavares
    @MSTavaresАй бұрын

    Now I need to know what happened to Simon being the oresenter of the channel? I do remember him making or at least presenting the show

  • @geographicstravel

    @geographicstravel

    Ай бұрын

    There's a video on TopTenz about it. I came on board afterward, though I had been a writer across all three channels (kind of sporadically, as I tend to stick to writing fiction).

  • @archstanton6102

    @archstanton6102

    Ай бұрын

    Simon left about 8-9 months ago

  • @TUKByV
    @TUKByVАй бұрын

    Nice.

  • @choppe5671
    @choppe5671Ай бұрын

    always a bummer when simons not narrating

  • @tylerchrist3249
    @tylerchrist3249Ай бұрын

    In other news, i now want to see this myself and step back in time.

  • @geographicstravel

    @geographicstravel

    Ай бұрын

    I'm a science guy and I didn't even know this place existed before Quentin pitched it to us. Now I want to see it for myself.

  • @tylerchrist3249

    @tylerchrist3249

    Ай бұрын

    Whenever you decide to go, let me come with, this would be one of the most incredible things to see in life!

  • @ValleyKnown
    @ValleyKnownАй бұрын

    I like the structure

  • @moosepocalypse6500
    @moosepocalypse6500Ай бұрын

    I see Tomie and Uzumaki... I have those same ones myself

  • @willythemailboy2
    @willythemailboy2Ай бұрын

    Been gone a while, I forgot Simon was gone. No thanks.

  • @jodiecrosby7819
    @jodiecrosby7819Ай бұрын

    Saving this one to play when im trying to sleep. Damn that monotone is boring. Where the hell is Karl?

  • @irenafarm
    @irenafarm22 күн бұрын

    I didn’t realize there were reptiles in the Carboniferous for some reason…

  • @tripsaplenty1227
    @tripsaplenty1227Ай бұрын

    what the hell is a giant slowth?

  • @geographicstravel

    @geographicstravel

    Ай бұрын

    That's the proper way of pronouncing Sloth.

  • @tripsaplenty1227

    @tripsaplenty1227

    Ай бұрын

    @@geographicstravel the proper wanker way of pronouncing sloth.

  • @kevinhernandez2594
    @kevinhernandez2594Ай бұрын

    This script format works better for Eric

  • @geographicstravel

    @geographicstravel

    Ай бұрын

    I'm eagerly anticipating Quentin's next script. :D I'm a storyteller, so getting to read a quality script is pretty exciting.

  • @anonymous5405
    @anonymous5405Ай бұрын

    I like Quentin

  • @luminouseclipse8899
    @luminouseclipse8899Ай бұрын

    Do something about the video feed. I felt like my eyes was somehow unable to focus every time it cut back to you talking.

  • @superawsome6416
    @superawsome6416Ай бұрын

    super creepy how his head keeps moving but his eyes don't....mic bass way to high ...writer seems like he graduated last and still needed a.i help ......very interesting topic.....look forward to watching it somewhere else...

  • @mwi3865
    @mwi3865Ай бұрын

    Yay the good host

  • @tammileroux3329
    @tammileroux3329Ай бұрын

    I miss Simon's cadence, his voice, and his beard

  • @lukeg2230
    @lukeg2230Ай бұрын

    Was gonna make a David Goggins joke but it doesn't translate well via text.

  • @UncleBadT
    @UncleBadTАй бұрын

    let me know when you become the host full time, id be more than happy to re-sub

  • @pinkace
    @pinkaceАй бұрын

    I was surprised that they didn't know what coal was in Darwin's time, especially considering they could see peat and observe the obvious the similarities.

  • @Nikboyle
    @NikboyleАй бұрын

    Who the fk is this dude ? Where is baldy beard bloke ?

  • @rons4297
    @rons4297Ай бұрын

    Just say it. Leave the flowers at home.

  • @MKCupra
    @MKCupraАй бұрын

    I miss Simon

  • @muuraang
    @muuraangАй бұрын

    Roughly a tenth of the comments are now me and or people responding to me now lol. There you lost a sub and got viewer interaction for the first few hours of your videos release. I hear thats rather good for youtube channels. Its almost as though I stir the pot on purpose post to drive interactions in the comments *gasp*

  • @drmattconrad77
    @drmattconrad77Ай бұрын

    2 meter millipedes? No thank you

  • @TheCriticalPigeon
    @TheCriticalPigeonАй бұрын

    Mmmm no.

  • @rhyse2744
    @rhyse2744Ай бұрын

    Where the fuck is Simon??

  • @archstanton6102

    @archstanton6102

    Ай бұрын

    He left this channel about 9 months ago and now presents Places, which YOU are subscribed to.

  • @rhyse2744

    @rhyse2744

    Ай бұрын

    @archstanton6102 last time this channel showed up in my feed Simon was the host. Only subscribed for Simon. Peace out geographics, ir was a blast.

  • @Tony-dp1rl
    @Tony-dp1rlАй бұрын

    Sounds like the script was run through ChatGPT at least once

  • @cycklist
    @cycklistАй бұрын

    Unsubscribed for spelling kilometre like that in the thumbnail.

  • @negativeindustrial

    @negativeindustrial

    Ай бұрын

    Kilometer*

  • @tylerchrist3249

    @tylerchrist3249

    Ай бұрын

    I think there's bigger problems in the world than linguistic differences lmfao

  • @geographicstravel

    @geographicstravel

    Ай бұрын

    Seriously. We're an American company. lol I would never expect European writers to change their spelling, why would you expect me to?

  • @somejerkbag

    @somejerkbag

    Ай бұрын

    Well, there it is. The stupidest thing I've read all week...

  • @terribleteddy
    @terribleteddyАй бұрын

    Tantrum!! Where is factboiiii, i refuse to listen to this calm guy. He is far to comprehensive and understandable. Subbed, unsubbed. I dont know. I just want to complain

  • @terribleteddy

    @terribleteddy

    Ай бұрын

    On a serious note i dont mind Eric at all. I kind of have to relearn / tune my brain. But I wish for audiobooks with this voice

  • @geographicstravel

    @geographicstravel

    Ай бұрын

    People tell me I should record my own audiobooks, but I'm stretched pretty thin as it is. I'd like to do it, I'm just not sure when I'd have time.

  • @Hillbilly001

    @Hillbilly001

    Ай бұрын

    Simon's gone and he ain't coming back. Time to get over it. Cheers

  • @jereme109
    @jereme109Ай бұрын

    I'm not a fan of this style. To paraphrase Joe Friday, "Just the facts, please"

  • @muuraang
    @muuraangАй бұрын

    When a community manager with youtube experience unsubs from your channel ;) get a lil something on the backend

  • @ccdaly2561
    @ccdaly2561Ай бұрын

    So glad we don't get Euro!Trump crap anymore!

  • @krmrivera83
    @krmrivera83Ай бұрын

    THe only kind of history i really like is when humans weren't around

  • @robertburden7033
    @robertburden7033Ай бұрын

    I did Not like the style of this presentation. It reminded me of a History Channel presentation of the discovery of alien space ships under the ice of Antarctica or Nazi bases on the dark side of the moon.

  • @geographicstravel

    @geographicstravel

    Ай бұрын

    Except everything in this script is true. It's written in the style of a short story, rather than straight facts being spit at your face.

  • @robertburden7033

    @robertburden7033

    Ай бұрын

    I don't dispute the facts. I just thought the style was wrong. It felt more like a Veggie tales version of one of the parables of Jesus. I don't like it. If you do, I am happy for you.

  • @Canadadog14
    @Canadadog14Ай бұрын

    What's with the stupid music

  • @muuraang
    @muuraangАй бұрын

    No simon… and unsubscribe

  • @geographicstravel

    @geographicstravel

    Ай бұрын

    You're missing out on one hell of a script. Quentin is an incredible writer.

  • @lobomarin5459

    @lobomarin5459

    Ай бұрын

    Simón was the reason I didn't watch this channel anymore lol

  • @muuraang

    @muuraang

    Ай бұрын

    @@geographicstravel I need the seemingly coke fueled hype and tangent fest that is Simon’s disposition. He makes every video of his I watch more enjoyable. *shrugs* I know it comes across as mean, but I found your channel because Simon said hes on it. I subbed watched all the videos that interested me (that had simon in them) and now I think ill go back to the other channels. Im sure you all do great work, but its not going to be for me. Good day.

  • @somejerkbag

    @somejerkbag

    Ай бұрын

    Bye Felicia. Sad to see you didn't go 7 months ago when he did...

  • @Hillbilly001

    @Hillbilly001

    Ай бұрын

    Simon's been gone for quite some time. Time to get over it. Don't let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya. Bye.

  • @christophhall2280
    @christophhall2280Ай бұрын

    not gonna lie not a fan of the storytelling style. i prefer the old style

  • @DerptyDerptyDUM
    @DerptyDerptyDUMАй бұрын

    Oh hell yeah, I clicked on this immediately. 😅

  • @somejerkbag
    @somejerkbagАй бұрын

    What's that Manga on the bookshelf?

  • @geographicstravel

    @geographicstravel

    Ай бұрын

    Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Super, various Junji Ito, and My Hero Academia. The other side of the shelf is all cosmic horror, science fiction, and fantasy books.