The Tremor Lizard

Did you know that when most people use a dinosaur's name, they're referring to the genus only?  This is because, having been dead for at least 65 million years, there are not many remains left, and therefore there is usually only one species per genus.  Neat, huh?

Anyway, our particular specimen is Seismasaurus hallorum, the former of which means "Tremor Lizard."  Scientists are still undecided on whether or not this is the most epic title in the history of the Animalia regnum, but many continue to argue in its favor to this day.  Seismasaurus was discovered by in 1991 resting in New Mexico's Morrison Formation by Gillette, who I am assuming is a guy and not a razor company.  This creature lived in the tail end of the Jurassic period, and is estimated to be up to 33 m long and 33 tons (that's about 108'3" for you non-metric folk).  For comparison, a bull african bush elephant is 24 ft. long and weighs at most 11 tons (according to the Nature Conservancy).  Never fear, it ate plants.

Now bear with me now, since technicalities are starting

 to come in.  As I already

 stated, Seismasaurus is a "long-neck" 

or sauropod. 

 For those of

 you with taxonomical proficiencies (like me!), Sauropodomorpha is a sub-order under the Saurischia Order.  Most

 (if not all) dinosaurs fall into one of two Orders: Saurischia or Ornithia, the difference between the two

 groups lying in the structure of their hips.  As you can see, I have included diagrams of the two types of hips within my boring wall of text, with Saurischian on the left and Ornithischian on the right (thank you, http://museumvictoria.com.au).  As a general rule, meat-eaters are Saurischian and plant-eaters are Ornithischian.

Now to screw with you.  Sauropods are Saurischian.  Yes, even science has exceptions to the rules.  If you've kept up with us so far, you know know that a "long-neck" is actually a dinosaur which is a member of the Saurischian Order and the sauropod (the shorter form of sauropodomorpha) sub-order.  But it doesn't end there!  There are different types of sauropods, each with their own unique traits, and ridiculously long necks.  After all, this is how cladistics works.  To spare you unending suffering, however, I'll stop here, and maybe post something on different Sauropods if enough people scream for it in the comments.  (and I know that's going to happen).

***On a side note, all of the information regarding specifics on a species discovery, size, mating habits, and whatnot is taken from the Dinobase at the University of Bristol.  <http://dinobase.gly.bris.ac.uk/>

Delay

Well, I received a call two days ago that we are actually getting delayed by two weeks.  Our original departure date was May 19, but we are now aiming for a departure date of June 1.  This is horribly frustrating, yet it must be done in order for the proper safety parameters to be met, and therefore qualifies as understandable, I guess.

It is still horribly frustrating, though.

I may take advantage of the down time and post some relative background information leading up to the dig, or may simple let all my faithful readers (I wish...) hang out to dry.  Only time will tell!

The Synopsis

Greetings!  This is the blog of one of the members of an excavation team unearthing what will be the world's largest Seismasaurus, a sauropod (long-neck, for you those who still use the convention set forth by "The Land Before Time" et. al) who died in a mucky river bayou.  This species of dinosaur is the largest on record, which means that I am currently helping uncover the largest dinosaur ever, and honored to be doing so.

This blog is just a little side-project so friends and family of mine who are interested can keep up on the goings-on while I am away doing important stuff.  There will be pictures and plenty of watered-down "fun science" (read: "science without math") for those who are actually interested in researching geology, paleontology, prehistoric ecology, or iwannaseepicturesofbigoldbonesology.  I hope this will prove to be a fun experience all around, and to provide an interesting perspective into the secretive world of the geosciences.

***IMPORTANT NOTE***  Notice I have left out some important details, such as who is working with me and where we are located.  This was intentional.  Those who are privy to such information should keep it to themselves, since we are currently trying to keep media-types, thieves, and other annoying people away from the dig site.  Cooperation would be much appreciated.  Thank you!