Prince Creek Formation, Geological formation in northern Alaska, United States.
Prince Creek Formation is a geological layer in northern Alaska made up of sandstone, mudstone, and coal beds. These deposits are exposed along riverbanks and eroding cliffs, revealing what the Arctic coastal landscape once looked like.
The formation developed during the late Cretaceous and into the Paleocene, roughly between 83 and 56 million years ago. Over that span, the Arctic went through major shifts in climate and animal life.
Scientists conduct extensive research at this site to understand the adaptations of dinosaurs and plants to the Arctic environment during prehistoric times.
Most fossil finds in this area come from the Kikak-Tegoseak Quarry, which sits in a very remote part of northern Alaska and requires careful planning to reach. Summer months are generally the most practical time to visit, when the ground is not frozen.
Among the fossils found here is Nanuqsaurus, a tyrannosaur that was noticeably smaller than its relatives found further south. Researchers think its smaller body size may have been a response to the specific conditions of living in the Arctic.
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