Bioturbation structures: trace fossils

Bioturbation is the disturbance of sediment by organisms. Trace fossils have extensive and complex terminologies, that are beyond the scope of this page. Here we show a variety of trace fossil geometries to assist with trace fossil recognition.

Images copyright © 1998, John W.F. Waldron, except where otherwise stated
Bed parallel trails Bed-parallel trails (Paleophycus?) from base of sandstone bed in Cambrian Goldenville Formation, Liscombe Island, Nova Scotia
Resting trace Rusophycus: Resting trace of trilobite. Base of sandstone bed, Cambrian Goldenville Formation, Tancook Island, Nova Scotia.
Quadruped footprints, Brule, NS Quadruped footprints, Brule, NS
Trackway of quadruped footprints, Brule, NS Trackway of quadruped footprints, Brule, NS
Trackway of arthropod: probable horseshoe crab, Thorburn Nova Scotia Trackway (Diplichnites?) of arthropod: probable horseshoe crab, Thorburn Nova Scotia

Branching Chondrites burrow system Branching Chondrites burrow system, Silurian Arisaig Group, Moydart Point, Nova Scotia
Vertical Skolithos burrows, Goldenville Formation, Nova Scotia Vertical Skolithos burrows, Goldenville Formation, Nova Scotia
Teichichnus spreite in cross-section, Tancook Island, Nova Scotia Teichichnus spreite in cross-section, Tancook Island, Nova Scotia
U-shaped burrow, Halifax Formation, Blue Rocks, Nova Scotia U-shaped burrow (Diplocraterion or similar), Halifax Formation, Blue Rocks, Nova Scotia
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