Death and destruction were rampant in the aftermath of a supervolcanic eruption in Idaho, about 1,600 kilometers away. The eruption was so intense that it destroyed the volcano itself, leaving behind an 80 kilometers wide crater and spreading ash over long distances. The ash, carried by the wind, killed a multitude of animals in Nebraska.
Despite the devastation, life eventually carried on, evolved, and changed. In the summer of 1971, Michael Voorhies, a paleontologist from the University of Georgia, stumbled upon something extraordinary while mapping his hometown in Nebraska. He discovered a layer of volcanic ash that led him to uncover the remains of a juvenile rhino and eventually a total of 70 complete rhino skeletons.
This discovery was unique as most fossil sites consist of disarticulated skeletons, unlike the fully preserved skeletons found in Nebraska. To protect and preserve these fossils, the Ashfall Fossil Beds park was established in 1991 with the support of the local community and funding from National Geographic.
The park, now home to a massive structure called the Hubbard Rhino Barn, allows visitors to see the fossils in situ, exactly as they were found. Excavations are carried out at a slower pace by seasonal employees, ensuring the proper care and preservation of these invaluable remains.
Over the years, extensive research and excavations at the Ashfall Fossil Beds have unveiled a snapshot of a prehistoric ecosystem that thrived in Nebraska during the Miocene period. Animals like rhinoceros, camels, and saber-toothed deer roamed the area, making it a diverse and vibrant habitat.
Rick Otto, who worked on excavations in 1978 and later became the park’s superintendent, explained that the fossils found in the sand layer at the waterhole were evidence of animals dying before the volcanic eruption. Scavenging and trampling by megafauna likely contributed to the preservation of these fossils, providing valuable insights into the prehistoric past of the region.
The Ashfall Fossil Beds stand as a testament to the resilience of life in the face of catastrophic events and the importance of preserving our natural history for future generations to study and appreciate. Through ongoing research and public engagement, the park continues to offer a window into a world long gone, where ancient creatures once roamed the lands that we now call home.
