The fossil of the deepest dinosaurs ever recorded was buried at 2,615 meters (8,579 feet) from sea level in a field of offshore oil near the Norwegian continent. The bone is part of the joint of a Plasosaurus Engelhardti, A large herbivorous dinosaur living at the end of the Triassic, about 210 million years ago.
Not only does it make the book Guinness of records that the deepest dinosaur fossil ever discovered, but it was also the very first dinosaur bone found in Norwegian territory.
Deepest dinosaur fossil
The bone has remained hidden, nestled 2,256 meters (7,402 feet) under the seabed for millions of years, until it is struck – only by chance – by drilling to drive oil in the field of snorre in the North Norwegian Sea. The fossil was found in February 1997 but not officially discussed before 2006, when it appeared in an article published in the Norwegian Geology Journal.
The fossil is small – only 40 millimeters (1.6 inches) in diameter – but it has been well preserved and is colorful white and light gray.
Paleontologists have identified the species by analyzing the tissues contained in the fossil and considering its size and appearance. The evidence indicates a prosauropod and in particular a plaque plate, which means “flat” or “wide lizard”.
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What do we know about the plasosaurus?
The plasosaurus was a relatively large herbivorous dinosaur which could reach lengths of six to ten meters (20 to 33 feet). He stood on two legs and was able to reach the vegetation up to four meters (13 feet) above the ground. In adulthood, dinosaur weighed up to 4 tonnes (4.4 tonnes) – which makes it heavier than two mini -coopers.
The plasa was a member of the Prosauropod family – the most common group of dinosaurs in the Norian (or late Triass). The name “Prosauropod” means “before the Sauropods”, referring to a group of large four -legged herbivores which includes tastes of the Brachiosaurus and Diplodocus and are well known for their long neck.
The remains of prosauropods are among the oldest fossils of dinosaurs in the world. They are believed that they were large grazing creatures that have traveled in herds and presided, mainly, in what is now Europe. The majority of Plaosaurus remains, for example, have been discovered in France, Germany and Switzerland.
THE P. Engelhardti would have lived alongside primitive mammals, crocodilomorphs and other first reptiles and amphibians in a semi-arid landscape dotted with small trees and bushes perfect for grazing. At the time, the region would have been very seasonal, with periods of precipitation followed by long dry periods that persisted for four to eight months.
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