What steps are being implemented in order to preserve the quarry wall?

1) By having the new building that is very structurally safe, DNM hopes to prevent any more cracks from forming on the quarry wall. This will in time help to preserve the quarry wall from any further slumping of rock or major fracturing. Volumetric soil monitoring will also be done outside the building to provide information on changes that may impact the indoor exhibit stability.

2) Through the combined work of the paleontology staff at DNM and outside professional fossil conservators, the quarry wall will be closely monitored. Each bone on the quarry face will be photographed to visually document the pattern of cracks present, how bad (major/minor) the cracks are, and if cracks had been previously repaired. This will help park paleontologists and engineers monitor crack growth through the years to come.

3) This photographic documentation of the bones will be used by paleontologists and engineers to develop a long-term monitoring strategy to identify changes in quarry conditions.

4) Bones and cracks can start to be systematically and periodically repaired.

5) To preserve the wall into the future, paleontologists and engineers will use an array of materials, techniques, and equipment (preservatives, consolidants, crack monitors, temperature and humidity data recorders, etc.) to recognize and repair any damage as it occurs.

 

Preserving the wall after the old building was torn down and the quarry visitor center was under construction.  The large wall of plywood seen here in the photo was built around the wall during the construction to cover and protect the wall of bones from the weather and any debris that could have potentially damaged the wall during the new building’s construction.

National Park Service

 

Paleontology interns documenting and photographing the current conditions of the bones on the quarry wall.

National Park Service

 

Working on the wall documenting bone conditions.  Data is recorded for each bone about current open cracks, and any cracks that may have been repaired.

National Park Service

 

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