ARetzler11

Basic Info:

Andrew Retzler

I'm currently a Graduate Research Assistant at Idaho State University (Pocatello, ID) as I work to obtain my MS in Geosciences. I earned my BA in Geology at the College of Wooster (Wooster, OH) in May of 2011.

My Independent Study (Senior Thesis) at the COW involves the identification of several lamniform teeth and analysis of their lithological context within the Menuha Formation, Makhtesh Ramon region, southern Israel. Little to no previous studies have analyzed the Menuha Formation in great detail, with no mention of fossilized shark teeth. The sedimentological analysis and identification of shark species will help provide strong evidence towards the likely paleoenvironment represented in the Menuha Formation. Specifically, my study will help support either a shallow or deep marine environment, something of current debate within the region. Other fossils seen in hand sample, dissolved sediments, and thin sections will aid my interpretation, including: other fish teeth, oysters, Thalassinoides, Chondrites, Planolites, irregular echinoid spines, and foraminiferans.

Contributions:

View my Wikipedia User page to see article contributions.

Media

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  Menuha Formation (upper Cretaceous) outcrop south of the Makhtesh Ramon structure, southern Israel.
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  Thalassinoides burrowing system throughout the Menuha Formation chalk.
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  Cretalamna appendiculata tooth, Menuha Formation.
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  Squalicorax kaupi tooth, Menuha Formation.
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  Squalicorax falcatus? tooth, Menuha Formation.
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  Carcharias samhammeri tooth, Menuha Formation.
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  Carcharias holmdelensis tooth, Menuha Formation.
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  Cretoxyrhina mantelli tooth, Menuha Formation.
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  Scapanorhynchus rapax tooth, Menuha Formation.
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  Scapanorhynchus raphiodon? tooth, Menuha Formation.
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  Hadrodus priscus tooth, Menuha Formation.
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  Micropycnodon kansasensis? tooth, Menuha Formation.
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  Several planktic/benthic foraminiferans replaced by silica from the Menuha Formation.
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  Several oysters, possibly Pycnodonte vesicularis, from the Menuha Formation.
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  Irregular echinoid spine from the chalk sediments of the Menuha Formation.
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  Thalassinoides burrow traces from the Book Cliffs, Utah.
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  Hummocky cross-stratification from the Book Cliffs, Grand Junction, Colorado.

Andrew Retzler (talk) 17:50, 11 April 2011 (UTC)