El Cobre Canyon is a fossil collection site in Rio Arriba, New Mexico, cataloged in the Paleobiology Database. Fossils here come from the Cutler Formation, dated to the Missourian to Gzhelian (306–298.9 million years ago). The depositional environment is recorded as dry floodplain. Documented finds include Anconastes vesperus.

Geologic setting

Formation: Cutler
Geologic interval: Missourian to Gzhelian
Age: 306–298.9 Ma
Depositional environment: dry floodplain
Recorded occurrences: 1

Geology notes

"Cutler Formation redbeds at the horizon of the type locality were deposited in a fluvial system dominated by low sinuosity, multichanneled, mixed load rivers on a narrow braid plain. Numerous small ponds formed adjacent to the braid belts where they were frequently inundated by flood waters and periodically became desiccated."\r\n

Locality notes

lower portion of exposed section of Cutler Formation, El Cobre Canyon, 11 km northwest of Abiquiu, specimens collected from the floor of the canyon

Fossils found here

Anconastes vesperus

Amphibia · Trematopidae

Records and references

Data: Paleobiology Database collection 12943 (CC BY 4.0) — view the source record

Getting there

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Questions about El Cobre Canyon

Can you collect at El Cobre Canyon?

It depends on who owns the land and whether a mining claim covers it. BLM land usually allows hand collecting for personal use, national parks allow none, and private land needs the owner’s permission. Pro members see the owner and any claims at this spot.

What minerals are found at El Cobre Canyon?

Fossil.

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Source: Paleobiology Database.