Several numbered sites on this map show some of the areas where Burgess Shale-type fossils have been found. In the center of this reconstruction, the North American continental block is turned 90 degrees clockwise, lying close to the equator. Parts of what will become Eastern Canada and New England are still stuck onto part of Europe to the south, while South America is still nestled against Africa. Because of North America's location, the sea shores at the Burgess Shale site in Canada are warm and tropical.
Coral reefs are common.
Later, the separate continental parts shown here will move together, and during the Paleozoic era the Permian period will form one huge landmass - Pangaea. That, in turn, during the Mesozoic will break into two masses, Laurasia and Gondwanaland. On the other side of our continent, the Pacific plate will be shoved into and under our west coast. When this land is added to the coast, it will push the Burgess Shale location even further from the sea. All images contained in these pages are copyrighted by the Smithsonian Institution, and for use other than personal, permission must be obtained in advance and in writing, by contacting Raymond T. Rye, Information Officer for the Department of Paleobiology, at the National Museum of Natural History, MRC-121, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 20560.