(How's This For Strange?) Mysterious Mass Whale Graveyard Unearthed in the Chilean Desert

Mother Nature Network ^ | November 22, 2012 | Bryan Nelson

[lbryce]

While working on a highway-widening project in the middle of South America's Atacama Desert, Chilean workers unearthed an eerie scene that had no business being more than a kilometer away from the ocean: a mass fossil graveyard containing more than 75 ancient whales, reports MSNBC.

Finding whale bones in the middle of the desert is strange enough, but scientists were quick to notice a deeper mystery. The fossils ended up right next to one another — some mere meters apart — as if to suggest that the whales all died at once, possibly during some cataclysmic tragedy. What could have happened?

"That's the top question," said Mario Suarez, director of the Paleontological Museum in the nearby town of Caldera.

According to Nicholas Pyenson, curator of fossil marine mammals at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, the whales probably died between 2 million and 7 million years ago, during a time when the area would have been a "lagoon-like environment," much different than the desert landscape it is today. The real mystery, then, has less to do with how the whales got there, and more to do with why they died.

Could they have beached themselves after becoming disoriented in the shallows? Perhaps the lagoon had become separated from the sea by a landslide, earthquake or storm, trapping the whales within? Maybe there was something else about this lagoon that made it a whale trap. Right now, scientists aren't sure.

"There are many ways that whales could die, and we're still testing all those different hypotheses," said Pyenson. But, he added: "I think they died more or less at the same time."

Of the 75 whales that have been discovered so far, 20 of them represent perfectly intact skeletons, making the site one of the best preserved fossil beds from that time period along the west coast of South America. Most of the fossils are baleen whales that measure about 25 feet long, and one startling fossilized scene depicts two adult whales with a juvenile between them, a possible family group.

Researchers have also discovered fossils of other unusual creatures at the site, including a now-extinct dolphin that had two walrus-like tusks, an extinct aquatic sloth and an ancient seabird with a 17-foot wingspan. All in all, the site represents a remarkable snapshot of the ecosystem millions of years ago.

Although officials have asked that fossils that rest along the path of the widened Pan American Highway be moved out of the way, the Chilean government has declared the site a protected area.

"We have a unique opportunity to develop a great scientific project and make a great contribution to science," said Suarez. \

[expat2]

Perhaps a tsunami washed a school of whales a km inland and beached them there.

[par4]

This stuff is real hard for evoludiots to grasp I guess

Way to win others to your viewpoint by comparing them to idiots. And here I thought that it was liberals who insulted those with whom they disagreed. Oh wait, it is.

[editor-surveyor]

The point is that all life was dead within probably the first day or two of bombardment of hot water and hot rocks falling on them.

The waters receded long after all life was gone.

[editor-surveyor]

What has never happened before is sea creatures beaching themselves and dying without getting chewed to bits and scattered.

And it never will happen - life is hungry.

[Sacajaweau]

OMG....That was one funny scenario...

[editor-surveyor]

Those that cling to the failed theory of evolution will not likely be ‘won’ to any logical POV, since they use it as a defense mechanism. They need shock treatment, not kid gloves.

[DoughtyOne]

The point is that all life was dead within probably the first day or two of bombardment of hot water and hot rocks falling on them.

The waters receded long after all life was gone.

It may seem like I'm trying to argue against a unified theory of what took place during the flood.  I'm not really trying to argue something specifically related to that.  I don't see a hot water/rocks situation here.  Even so, I can't totally rule that out.

From the description of the way the bodies were grouped, it appears these creatures didn't die from hot water or rocks with water at depth.

If these creatures had died under that scenario, it would seem they would have been disbursed by normal currents and water flow.

These creatures seem to be grouped in a setting looking more like a natural large pod that was frozen in place.  IMO, that comes from water receding, perhaps rather rapidly, as if the land was pushed up before the creatures could disburse.

You may have an explanation for this that would involve hot water or rocks.  At this point, I don't see one.

[BO Stinkss]

“a kilometer away from the ocean”

Hmmm... maybe the coastline was a kilometer inland 75 million years ago? Maybe the whales beached themselves just as they do today?

[Fireone]

I agree, just pointing out that these things are cyclical, not caused by man. Algore is a shakedown artist, just like messrs. Jackson and Sharpton. Liberals are all about “feelings” not facts. Any excuse to profit on someone else’s misery (or money)!
Those whales likely died just as you said...the water left them.

[Darksheare]

No, no!
According to the enviros, whales only beach themselves because of man.
And all animals lived in harmony untl man.
[Serious, the enviros believe in fairy tales.]

[NormsRevenge]

a ritual sacrifice in the desert, hmmmm , get me CSI Vegas.. fly in Hawaii 5.0 too..

[Joe Boucher]

Waaaay too funny,
Good job KeyLargo

[editor-surveyor]

Hot water from deep below is what Genesis says.

Everything was buried in the first days, and there was little chance for anything to be scattered. By the time that the waters began to recede, cooling had started the crystalization process, which held everything in place.

That was the beginning of the “ice age” too.

[editor-surveyor]

Think it out a little more.

[demshateGod]

I have read before that the water was boiling but I don’t know how that allowed so many sea creatures to live. I guess the composition and temperature of the water would not be uniform across the globe and there could have been pockets of good water.

[demshateGod]

Yeah, college football, the opiate of the masses. Go Pokes!

[DoughtyOne]

Could you please provide a chapter and verse for that. I’d be interested in reading about it. Evidently I have glossed over a bit when I’ve read and reread Genesis over the years.

[lbryce]

The subject is still out and scientists have yet to determine the definitive response as to which of the two is more strange. Some believe that a mysterious mirage holds the edge on strangeness Others disagree and say a mysterious mass is strangeness personified. So until evidence one way or another can prove the strangeness factor
one way or another, the issue I’m afraid will have to remain undecided.

[mikrofon]

Followed by the FIRST extinction of the human race....

[proud American in Canada]

A massive worldwide flood was my first thought as well; I noticed others had the same reaction.