Glossary
109 terms across paleontology, anatomy, taxonomy, and behavior.
A
- Aeolian adjectiveee-OH-lee-angeology
- Formed or deposited by wind. Aeolian sediments — like the ancient dune sands of Mongolia's Djadochta Formation — can bury animals so quickly they're preserved in lifelike poses. The name comes from Aeolus, the Greek god of wind.
D
- Deltaic adjectivedel-TAY-ikgeology
- Relating to a river delta — the fan-shaped deposit of sediment where a river meets a larger body of water. Deltaic environments were rich in life and ideal for fossil preservation, which is why they show up so often in formation descriptions.
F
- Fluvial adjectiveFLOO-vee-algeology
- Formed by rivers. Fluvial sediments — sandstones, mudstones, siltstones laid down by ancient rivers and floodplains — are where most dinosaur fossils are found. Rivers bury carcasses quickly, which is exactly what good preservation requires.
G
- Gondwana noungond-WAH-nahgeology
- The ancient southern supercontinent that eventually broke apart into South America, Africa, Antarctica, Australia, India, and the Arabian Peninsula. Gondwanan dinosaurs evolved in relative isolation, producing weird and wonderful lineages — like the long-necked titanosaurs and the stub-armed abelisaurids — not found in the north.
L
- Lacustrine adjectivela-KUS-tringeology
- Relating to lakes. Lacustrine sediments form in calm, still water — perfect conditions for preserving delicate fossils like feathers, skin, and even stomach contents. Many of China's astonishing feathered dinosaur finds come from ancient lake beds.