Geology students find massive dinosaur bone in Texas national park

In March 2025, a group of geology students from Sul Ross State University embarked on a research expedition in Big Bend National Park, located in Brewster County, Texas. During this trip, the students successfully unearthed a massive vertebra belonging to a long-necked dinosaur known as Alamosaurus. This dinosaur is recognized as the largest land-dwelling creature that has ever inhabited North America. Although fossils of the Alamosaurus have previously been discovered in that region, specimens were often incomplete and poorly preserved, making this find particularly significant. The university's geology program aimed to conduct structural and stratigraphic analyses of rocks spanning the Cretaceous to Eocene periods during this expedition. The team was led by assistant professors Jesse Kelsch and Thomas Shiller, who have extensive experience in the field of paleontology. This trip not only allowed students to gain hands-on experience but also contributed to ongoing research on dinosaurs in the region. The vertebra collected by the students is part of one of the most complete skeletons associated with the Alamosaurus that has been found in Big Bend National Park. This particular specimen was originally collected and described by researchers from the University of Texas in the 1970s. The unearthing of this vertebra serves as a continuation of the paleontological work conducted in the area, which has long intrigued scientists and students alike. It highlights the importance of field research and education in furthering our understanding of prehistoric life. Researchers are currently studying the newly unearthed vertebra alongside associated vertebrae that Professor Shiller and his students previously collected from the same quarry. The opportunity to analyze such significant specimens in the paleontology lab at Sul Ross State University allows for a deeper understanding of the anatomy and evolution of the Alamosaurus and related species, enriching the educational experience for the students involved and reinforcing the significance of paleontological studies in Texas.