How A Volcano Preserved A Colorado Forest For 34 Million Years

How A Volcano Preserved A Colorado Forest For 34 Million Years

13:27 Feb 4, 2026
About this episode
Send us Fan MailWe walk the Florissant Fossil Beds and trace how volcanic mudflows turned a living redwood forest into a world-class fossil site. Along the way, we meet Eocene mammals, explore ancient climate, and reflect on the human choices that saved this place from development.• planning trails around the visitor center and winter hours• overview of Eocene mammals and insect fossils• how lahars buried trees and silicified wood• reading tree rings for ancient climate insight• redwood cloning and why redwoods no longer grow here• Lake Florissant’s brief life and rich fossil layers• the Big Stump, souvenir damage, and saw marks• Charlotte Hill’s butterfly and the scientist lineage• preservation vs development and the 1969 park designation• ongoing research to locate buried stumps and future discoveriesIf you have any questions or comments about this site, let me know by sending a message!Support the show
Select an episode
0:00 0:00