Stay Eat Events Weather Beaches

Oregon Coast Aquarium Dives Deep with Fossil Exhibit Starting Soon

Published 06/03/21 at 7:20 PM PDT
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

Oregon Coast Aquarium Dives Deep with Fossil Exhibit Starting Soon

(Newport, Oregon) – Oregon Coast Aquarium pulls some major time travel this summer, with an exhibit opening June 11 that features everyone’s favorite ancient entities: the dinosaurs and other ancient beasts. Cruisin’ the Fossil Coastline! takes everyone down a journey through the planet’s geological past, bringing to life the varied species that existed millions of years ago – along with the wild environments they lived in. (Above: a life-sized model of a pachyrhinosaurus)

Latest Coastal Lodging News Alerts
In Seaside:
Includes exclusive listings; some specials in summer
In Cannon Beach:
Includes rentals not listed anywhere else
In Manzanita, Wheeler, Rockaway Beach:
Some specials for summer
In Pacific City, Oceanside:
Some specials for summer
In Lincoln City:
Some specials for summer
In Depoe Bay, Gleneden Beach:
Some specials for summer
In Newport:
Look for some specials
In Waldport
Some specials for summer
In Yachats, Florence
Some specials for summer
Southern Oregon Coast Hotels / Lodgings
Reedsport to Brookings, places to stay; summer deals

The entire west coast is featured in Cruisin' the Fossil Coastline!, from California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia to Alaska. The emphasis will be on the coastal regions of the states. Fossils of the Oregon coast are also spotlighted, though actual dinosaurs found here are extremely rare – with a handful on the south coast.

The entire exhibit features the artwork of Alaska artist Ray Troll, and the exhibit is based on the book of the same name written by Troll and Dr. Kirk Johnson, Director of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Troll and Johnson logged more than 10,000 miles and 250 days traveling the North American coast in search of fossils and the stories they tell. They visited museums, dove into research collections, collaborated with fellow scientists and artists, and visited active dig sites via automobile, airplane and boat.

The all-ages exhibition features life-size sculptures, models, and images of prehistoric creatures and authentic fossils. The exhibit also features paintings, hand-drawn maps, and light and audio installations by Troll. Footage highlighting Troll's fossil excursions can be viewed in the Oregon Coast Aquarium's theater.

The Oregon-focused portion of the exhibit features fossils found in both Lincoln County and across the state. Oregon's geologic record, extending back approximately 400 million years ago to the Devonian period, before which time the state's landmass was likely submerged under water. The state's earliest fossil record includes plants, corals, and conodonts. Oregon was covered by seaways and volcanic islands during the Mesozoic era, and fossils from this period include marine plants, invertebrates, ichthyosaurs, pterosaurs, and traces such as invertebrate burrows. During the Cenozoic era, Oregon's climate gradually cooled and eventually yielded the environments now found in the state. This era's fossils include marine and terrestrial plants, invertebrates, fish, amphibians, turtles, birds, mammals, and traces such as eggs and animal tracks.

Compare your shoe size with that of a gastronis, a massive flightless bird that roamed the coastline ages ago. Examine the teeth of a desmostylia, an extinct order of herbivorous aquatic mammals. See eye-to-eye with a life-size model of pachyrhinosaurus, a relative of the triceratops. Cruisin' the Fossil Coastline is an immersive experience, bound to fill all viewers with awe toward the world that once was.

Tickets can be purchased on-site or in advance via aquarium.org. 541-867-3474.

Hotels in Newport - Where to eat - Newport Maps and Virtual Tours


MORE PHOTOS BELOW





More from Oregon Coast Aquarium below








More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging.....

More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining.....


Coastal Spotlight


LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles

Constant Killer Views at One Cannon Beach Legend: Oregon Coast Travel Tips
There's also deep history at this popular, luxury hotel. Cannon Beach hotel reviews, Cannon Beach lodging, Tolovana Inn
Pink Floyd on Oregon Coast? Pigs on the Wing Brings Visual, Sonic Punch to As...
At Astoria's Liberty Theatre this Saturday, September 30
UPDATE: Coast Guard Ends Search for Woman Swept Away at Rialto Beach, Washing...
Witnesses said she was sucked into the surf by heavy waves
Chonky, Orange Moon, Planets and Meteor Showers Coming: Washington / Oregon C...
Larger-than-usual full moon and some meteors coming later. Sciences
U.S. Travel Tips: Rugged, Remote to Chic at Tierra Del Mar on Oregon's North ...
From elegant to surfing, hiking, hang gliding. Pacific City hotels, Tillamook, Oceanside
Cannon Beach Hotels, Lodging, Motels - N. Oregon Coast
Updated weekly: hotels in Cannon Beach, Arch Cape, lodging, motels, inns, lodging deals
Oregon / Washington Coast Alerts: Flood Watch, First Big Waves of Season
Floods, lots of rain, high winds and some rather good storm watching, beach safety
Sea Lions Sick with Leptospirosis on Oregon Coast: Keep Pets, Yourselves Away
Stay clear of sick or dead sea lions. Marine sciences, beach safety

Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on BeachConnection.net
All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright BeachConnection.net Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted