Crinoids are among the most beautiful fossils to be found in Alabama.
The paleontology program at the Geological Survey of Alabama is as old as the agency itself. This is because the study of fossils is fundamental to earth science. Fossils tell us about the environments in which rocks formed, including water depth, salinity, and temperature; what creatures lived in those environments; how ancient organisms interacted with one another; the degree of connection to, or isolation from, other parts of the world in ancient times; the ages of rocks; and many other kinds of information. The links below lead to a sampling of information about Alabama paleontology, as well as a gallery of photographs of Alabama fossils.
Ask a Paleontologist. If you have questions about Alabama paleontology, please e-mail Sandy Ebersole. Your questions will be answered as soon as possible.