The Painted Hills, Oregon Oct. 11, 2023

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, located in Oregon, is a geological treasure. It is renowned for its exceptional fossil deposits, specifically the mesmerising Painted Hills, which is one of the three units in the park. Layers of vividly coloured clay-rich soils make for a captivating landscape. These hills contain a record of changing climates and ecosystems that span millions of years. Here, visitors can explore a museum that displays fossils of plants and animals that thrived long ago. One can get a glimpse of fossils of opossums, oreodonts, sabre-toothed tigers, and turtles by visiting the Clarno unit of the monument. These remnants serve as a reminder of the dynamic and fascinating history our planet holds.

© Ben Herndon/Tandem Stills + Motion

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