An ichthyosaur marine reptile fossilized skull has been unearthed in the Kiskatinaw River valley in British Columbia, approximately 52 kilometers south of Fort St. John. The discovery was made by local resident Kevin Geist and his 11-year-old son Andreas during a summer expedition two years ago when they noticed an unusual black rock along the river’s edge in the fossil-rich Peace region.
The Kiskatinaw River’s water levels have significantly decreased due to a prolonged drought, exposing more rocks along its banks. This low water level exposed the rock containing the ancient skull. Geist mentioned that the drought situation has led to more rocks becoming visible due to decreased water levels.
Initially uncertain about the significance of the rock, Geist revisited the site this summer. Upon sharing pictures with the Tumbler Ridge Museum, there was a notable interest in the finding, confirming it as an ichthyosaur fossil. Ichthyosaurs, distinct from dinosaurs, were marine reptiles resembling a mix of a fish and a dolphin, well-suited for aquatic life and giving birth in the ocean.
The Tumbler Ridge Museum Foundation’s resident paleontologist, Eamon Drysdale, explained that while the ichthyosaur likely perished during the Triassic period, the river valley’s formation dates back to the Cretaceous era when ichthyosaurs were on the decline, making the skull’s location unusual. The skull, encased in Triassic carbonate rock, was likely transported to the river valley by a glacier post-Rocky Mountains’ formation.
Drysdale noted the significant fossil diversity in the Peace region, with fossils dating back 500 million years, covering a wide span of Earth’s history. The area is known for various discoveries, including dinosaur remains and footprints. The museum secured the ichthyosaur skull by airlifting it to the museum.
Although other partial ichthyosaur specimens have been found in mountainous regions around Tumbler Ridge, complete specimens are rare. Drysdale emphasized the community effort involved in the recovery process, starting with the Geist family’s initial discovery. The paleontologist expressed excitement about the specimen’s potential insights into ancient marine life.
