Guogang Shell Fossils
The Guogang Shell Fossils[1] (Chinese: 過港貝化石層; pinyin: Guògǎng Bèihuàshí Céng) refer to a bed that contains many fossils, mostly shellfish, that are located in Houlong, Miaoli County, Taiwan.
Geology
The bed is part of the larger Toukeshan Formation (頭嵙山層), a Pleistocene-era formation. The fossils date from between 1,030,000 to 460,000 years ago and are embedded in shale. The shells were likely located around 20 metres (66 ft) to 50 metres (160 ft) underwater before being covered. Fossils from 135 different species have been identified: most shells from the Pecten genus, but shells from Chlamys, Anadara, Arca, Eucrassatella, Nassarius, Niotha, Bursa, Turritella, and Murex have also been identified. Some suggested that the high density of fossils is due to repeated storms pushing the shellfish into this area.[2][3]
History
The bed was discovered in 1921 by Japanese railway construction workers building the
Due to the outcrop's proximity to a road, many of the fossils have been removed or vandalized by tourists. The Liberty Times reported that most fossils "within arms reach" have been taken.[4][5]
References
- ^ "Guogang Shell Fossils". Miaoli Travel. Miaoli County Culture and Tourism Bureau. Archived from the original on 8 February 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
- ^ Forestry Bureau. Archivedfrom the original on 8 February 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
- ^ "地質遺跡地質敏感區劃定計畫書: H0009 過港貝化石層" (PDF). Ministry of Economic Affairs (in Chinese (Taiwan)). pp. 5–6, 10. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 March 2017. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
- ^ 彭健禮 (5 September 2014). "苗栗縣後龍過港貝化石層 幾乎被挖光" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Liberty Times. Archived from the original on 3 February 2020. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
- ^ 黎薇 (23 November 2016). "過港貝化石層 列國家級地景" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). China Times. Archived from the original on 8 February 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2021.