As early as 1882, paleontologists like Othniel C. Marsh and Charles A. White, were making expeditions to the West , and returning with massive numbers of fossil specimens to be labeled, named, and described. In recent years, many of the paleontologic studies at the USGS have moved beyond the early collection, observation, and description endeavors. Paleontologic tools also have changed significantly over the years. Scanning electron microscopes , ship-mounted drilling rigs, and computers are a far cry from the picks and hammers of early days, although these tools still are an essential part of every paleontologist's field kit. Fossil Groups Learn about the different types of fossils, how they lived, and how they are used to answer important questions about the world we inhabit.
Products See a list of recent papers and products from paleontologic studies.