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How Were Dinosaur Tracks Made?



In our latest episode, paleontologist Paul Olsen takes us on a journey of dino discovery! 🦖🔍 Hear the amazing story of why dinosaur trackways are still here and how a curious kid turned into a legendary dino track hunter! 🦕 Also, we have a special announcement about how YOU can become a dino track explorer like Paul!


Learn more about Paul and how he learns about the past in our bonus interview extra on Patreon!


Episode art for "How Were Dinosaur Tracks Made." Pictured is a cartoon dinosaur track.

MEET OUR FEATURED EXPERT:

Paul Olsen in front of a dinosaur footprint in the National Archives.

(National Archives photo by Earl McDonald)

Dr. Paul Olsen is a professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Columbia University in New York City. Paul is a paleontologist and stratigrapher studying how climate change has influenced evolution and extinction over geological time. His research involves field studies, laboratory analysis, and scientific drilling.


TUMBLE'S DINO MAP ADVENTURE


Dino Map logo.

We're happy to announce Tumble's Dino Map Adventure, an audio tour through the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, the place where dinosaur tracks were first discovered. You can experience the dinosaur history and heritage of the Pioneer Valley with Tumble and help from New England Public Media.


In our Dino Map Adventure, you'll find our audio guide, which you can download for free along with plenty of other great resources! Marshall and Lindsay will guide you through the Pioneer Valley’s best dinosaur sites, where you’ll learn how to become a dino track explorer - searching for clues to the distant world where dinosaurs walked the Earth - right below your very feet.


Sponsors: Bement School, Mass Cultural Council, The Center School, Head Start, Inc.

PAUL'S AWESOME FINDS

Photo of a fiberglass replica of a dinosaur track discovered by a young Paul Olsen and his friend.

This artifact is a fiberglass replica of a dinosaur track that was found in New Jersey in 1970 by two high school students... One of whom was Paul! The track is believed to be from an Eubrontes giganteus dinosaur that lived around 200 million years ago.


Paul and his friend posing with a dinosaur footprint.

Here's Paul (left) and his friend Tony Lessa in 1968 posing with their Eubrontes dino print! Click here to learn more about their discovery.


Proto-Dinosaur footprints from Baluvelt, NY.

Paul discovered these three-toed tracks that are about 210 to 215 million years old. They were left by a turkey-sized creature and mark the first tracks found in New York State! Read more about this find here.


Dinosaur trackway, imprinted into brown stone.

Here is a trackway Paul found in the Dan River Basin in Virginia. Notice the heel on the left and the three curved toes on the right. Try to imagine what this dinosaur looked like! Click here to learn more about this trackway.


THE WORLD OF DINO TRACKS


Here's a look at an outdoor dinosaur footprint site in Holyoke, Massachusetts - right near where Tumble Media is based!



Here is a video that reviews why dinosaur footprints have survived so long:



Finally, here's a fascinating video that shows how dinosaur footprint discovery never stops! A recent drought in Texas revealed dinosaur footprints from a massive carnivorous dinosaur. After you watch the video, you can click here to learn more.



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