Palaeontology of the Cretaceous Chalk

Explore the fascinating world of Cretaceous chalk seas in this 49-minute lecture by Dr. Jon Noad from the University of Alberta. Dive into the palaeontology of these ancient oceans, focusing on the iconic White Cliffs of Dover and the microscopic coccolithophores that formed them. Discover the exceptional preservation of fossils in the fine-grained chalk sediment and learn about the unique adaptations of organisms to the soft seabed conditions. Examine various fossil forms, from single-celled animals to impressive marine reptiles like Mosasaurus, and understand their evolutionary changes through time. Investigate the geology, stratigraphy, and sedimentology of chalk formations, including the intriguing presence of flints. Explore the diverse ecosystem of the Cretaceous chalk, featuring ammonites, belemnites, echinoderms, and various fish species. Gain insights into the historical and cultural significance of chalk fossils, from Neolithic times to modern paleontological research. Uncover the mysteries of life in the ancient chalk seas and the remarkable adaptations that allowed organisms to thrive in this unique environment.

Introduction
Historical research on the Chalk
Geology of the Chalk
Single celled animals
Relative sea level
Chalk stratigraphy
Chalk sedimentology - Overview
All about the flints
My favourite fossil-a flint cast
Hardgrounds
What was it really like on the Chalk seabed?
Innoceramus
Spondylus spinosa
Ammonites
Belemnites
Other selected invertebrates
Echinoderms-champions of the Chalk
Irregular echinoid morphology
Micraster-stratigraphic innovator
The problem with splitters
Micraster - aberrant forms
Micraster-changes through time
Variations in Echinocorys through time
Urchin epifauna
More epifauna
Cidaroids with clubs
More cidaroids
Nature goes a little crazy - Hagenowia
Crinoids
The crinoid Marsupites
Asteroids flattening out
Chalk echinoderms in folklore
Chalk echinoderms in the Neolithic
Selected fossil fish
Sharks from the British Chalk
Berthe Mosasurus
The ultimate honour for Ber
Other marine reptiles
Adaptations to a thixotropic substrate
Final thoughts