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Show Dinosaur tracks located in southern Utah valley By MICHELLE BATE Record Reporter CEDAR CITY -"When someone reports that they have found evidence of donosaurs, my first inclination is, oh no, not another 'find' that I have to check out, but you always check it because there is still a chance that it might be the real thing; and this time it was just that, the real thing." Dr. Blair Maxfield, director of the geology department at Southern Utah State College was referring to a recent discovery of authentic dinosaur tracks found in the northern part of the Warner Valley area, southwest of Hurricane Utah. "The tracks could well be the oldest dinosaur tracks ever discovered or reported," said Maxfield. He added that thecodont tracks were found in the area as well. A thecodont is believed to be an ancestor of certain dominant Mesozoic reptilian groups, most notably the dinosaur. According to Maxfield the thecodont is about the size of today's ostrich. It is believed to have had a narrow, deep skull that was in general light, yet strong and well- til v-4k.- - ; . j 1 vf . i v .... braced. On the other hand very little is known about the dinosaur tracks. Dr. Wade Miller, chairman of the geology department at Brigham Young University recently completed an in-depth study at the site, including in-cluding making several plaster casts of the tracks. It is believed that the dinosaur and thecodont tracks come from the Triassic period. "I would say the the tracks are approximately 220 to 230 million years old," said Maxfield. He added that the dinosaur was not a little beast. "His average stride was approximately 116 inches, and there was 53 inches average between bet-ween each step. He could really move when he wanted to," said Maxfield. Max-field. "Creases and claw marks are very clear at the site. The interesting thing is it is purely coincidence that the tracks are visible. The conditions were just right," said Maxfield. He explained that the sand was soft enough when the creatures walked across it to leave imprints. Later a fine mud came over and filled the tracks in and preserved them. Then all this substance had to be eroded before the tracks appeared again. "We really are very lucky to have these tracks," stated Maxfield. The discoverer of the tracks, Gary Delsignore, also stated that luck had a lot to do with finding them. Though not an expert in the field of geology, Delsignore has done considerable research in the area, at least enough to know that the tracks did belong to a prehistoric creature begore experts in the field confirmed it. "I was pretty excited. Most of my friends consider me a joker so they didn't believe me until the pictures and the actual proof came through. Delsignore added that he would like to see the tracks preserved. For this reason the exact location of the tracks is not given. "I want them to last as long as possible. I'd hate to see anyone destroy them," he said. Delsignore also stated that if anyone tried to move the tracks they would totally crumble. According to Maxfield the tracks are located in a rather fragile area, and if removed from their original place would totally be destroyed. Dr. Blair Maxlield points out some of the dinosaur tracks recently found in the Warner Valley area. Maxfield believes the tracks could possibly be the oldest ever found. lie tf . vv ;. V.V Thecodont tracks such as the one above were found recently in southern Utah, along with some well-preserved dinosaur tracks. The thecodont. believed to be an ancestor of certain reptiles, was about the size of today's ostrich. |