Ancient Seafloor Turned Arkansas Into a Shark Fossil Hotspot
Arkansas has earned the playful nickname 'Sharkansas' thanks to a remarkable abundance of shark fossils found throughout the state. The discovery traces back hundreds of millions of years, when much of what is now Arkansas was submerged beneath a shallow, warm sea teeming with ancient marine life, including numerous species of sharks.
As the seafloor eventually became dry land through tectonic shifts and changing sea levels, it preserved a rich fossil record. Paleontologists have recovered countless shark teeth and skeletal remains from the region, making Arkansas one of the most productive shark fossil sites in the United States. The findings offer valuable insight into the diversity and evolution of ancient shark species and the geological history of the central United States.
As the seafloor eventually became dry land through tectonic shifts and changing sea levels, it preserved a rich fossil record. Paleontologists have recovered countless shark teeth and skeletal remains from the region, making Arkansas one of the most productive shark fossil sites in the United States. The findings offer valuable insight into the diversity and evolution of ancient shark species and the geological history of the central United States.