Prince Edward Island is gaining recognition beyond its traditional associations with Anne of Green Gables, beaches, and potatoes, as a geologist from Nova Scotia suggests the province is becoming a promising area for fossil discoveries. John Calder, a geoscientist working with the P.E.I. government to identify fossils, has noted a growing interest from researchers worldwide due to a recent surge in findings. Contrary to previous beliefs that the Island’s red sandstone, known as “red beds,” does not preserve fossils well, Calder explained that the perception is changing as more discoveries are made.
The increased attention on P.E.I. as a fossil-rich zone has largely been driven by local residents rather than professional scientists. Notably, Patrick Brunet, a North Rustico resident, has been instrumental in uncovering many of the recent fossils on the Island. Calder praised Brunet’s expertise in identifying significant fossils deliberately rather than by chance.
Residents and visitors will have the opportunity to view these fossil discoveries up close during Fossil Day on April 10, organized by the P.E.I. Museum and Heritage Foundation. Additionally, Calder will be sharing insights on the Island’s fossil findings at a Nature P.E.I. meeting on April 7.
Calder, despite being from Nova Scotia, has a deep connection to P.E.I. and has extensively studied the Island’s geological history. He highlighted that the province’s red rocks, dating back nearly 300 million years to the Permian period, offer a glimpse into a pre-dinosaur era when reptiles were diversifying. The warm climate and rapid drying of sediments back then facilitated the exceptional preservation of various fossils, including footprints of reptiles, amphibians, insects, and even complete skeletons.
His recent work has focused on assessing over 100 fossils discovered by Brunet, with many of them potentially forming the basis of a permanent collection. Calder emphasized the importance of establishing a museum on the Island to showcase these findings not just to academic researchers but also to the general public, inviting them to marvel at the rich fossil heritage of P.E.I.