Resources
Palaeontology and Geology Books

The best palaeontology and geology books for all ages and levels, including kids books. Read a review for featured books below or explore ALL BOOKS.
Useful links, resources, and online classes

This section is constantly updated with new cources and great resources. Stay tuned and add this website to your favorites.
Useful Online Links
USGS Maps
Accurate geologic maps and 3-D geologic frameworks that provide critical data for sustaining and improving the quality of life and economic vitality of the Nation. They also organize, maintain, and publish the geospatial baseline of the Nation’s topography, natural landscape, built environment and more. Go to the Website.
Macrostrat and ROCKD
A collaborative platform for geological data exploration and integration. With over 225 maps from data providers around the world across every scale, Macrostrat is the world’s largest homogenized geologic map database. Our data processing pipeline links geologic map polygons to Macrostrat column polygons, external stratigraphic name lexicons, and geochronological intervals, enabling the enhancement of the original map data and allowing for direct links into GeoDeepDive.
Go to the Website. And also check their mobile application “ROCKD” (available for iPhone and Android).
Laws and Regulations
Disclaimer: The information provided is not intended to be legal advice, but merely conveys general information related to legal issues commonly encountered.
Information below based on George E. Mustoe et. al., 2001. The rules governing the removal of fossils from a particular location vary according to the agency that controls the land where the fossil is found.
Below is an outline of the regulations on fossil collecting and permit granting for federally managed lands, as well as an example of the management policies for the state of Washington.
Federal Land
30 US Code Title 30 – Mineral Lands and Mining
16 US Code Title 16 – Conservation
CFR: Title 43. Public Lands: Interior
Five federal agencies control virtually all public land in the United States. The different regulations reflect their diverse missions. The National Park Service maintains a preservational focus, while agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management establish their policies for multiple-use.
Bureau of Land Management — Reasonable amounts of invertebrates, plants and petrified wood may be collected for personal use, but not for sale. No vertebrate fossils may be removed without a permit. Permits are granted for scientific purposes only. You should check or state Department of Natural Resources for more information regarding the amount of fossils that can be collected per person per year.
The Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976
National Park Service — Permits are required for the removal of any fossilized material. Permits are granted for scientific purposes only.
U.S. Forest Service — Same as BLM.
USDA National Forests and Grasslands – Minerals & Geology Management
USDA National Forests and Grasslands – Locatable Minerals and Mining
Bureau of Reclamation — Same as NPS.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service — Special-use permits are required for the removal of any fossilized material. Permits are granted for scientific purposes only. Obtaining a scientific permit for collecting on federal land generally requires a graduate degree in paleontology or a related field. Reports must be filed with the permitting agency annually and at the end of the project. Permits can vary from limited surface collection and surveying to the excavation of one square meter or more of sediment.
State Land
Individual states have the power to grant permits for commercial fossil quarries. They are granted for a fee and royalties must be paid to the state in most cases.
Here are examples for Washington, same information could be obtained for each state on State Legislature:
Title 78 RCW – Mines, Minerals, and Petroleum
Chapter 78.08 – Location of Mining Claims
RCW 78.44.330 – Mineral trespass — Penalty
Society of Vertebrate Paleontology
The Society of Vertebrate Paleontology is a diverse organization of scientists, students, artists, preparators, advocates, writers and scholars across the globe, who are dedicated to the study, discovery, interpretation and preservation of vertebrate fossils.
By joining the SVP, you get many benefits such as connection with 2,200 professionals and students, subscriptions for the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, discounts for the annual SVP meetings and events. Go to the Website.
The Geological Society of America
The stated mission of GSA is “to advance geoscience research and discovery, service to society, stewardship of Earth, and the geosciences profession”.
The website includes an up-to-date geological timescale, online publications and geological resources, members get an access to Journals and Bulletins. Go to the Website.
The Fossil Forum
The Fossil Forum is a huge community of mainly amateur fossil and mineral enthusiasts. It is a great resource to seek help with your local minerals and fossils localities or ID of your finds. Go to the Website.
Department of Natural Resources
Your best resource to find the specific laws and regulations for your state, what can and can’t be located; your state geology data, publications, and maps; managed lands and maps of natural areas; localities for minerals and fossils found in your state, and many more. Search for “[Your State] DNR”.
Bureau of Land Management
The BLM manages public lands and subsurface estate under its jurisdiction under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act or FLPMA, passed in 1976. If you are working on public land, please download a copy here.
Paleobiology Database
The Paleobiology Database is a public database of paleontological data that anyone can use, maintained by an international non-governmental group of paleontologists. You can explore the data online in the Navigator, which lets you filter fossil occurrences by time, space, and taxonomy, and displays their modern and paleogeographic locations; or you can download the data to your own computer to do your own analyses. Go to the Website.
Mineralogy Database
The Mineralogy Database contains 4,714 individual mineral species descriptions with links and a comprehensive image library.
Each mineral has a page linked to tables devoted to crystallography, crystal structures, X-Ray powder diffraction, chemical composition, physical and optical properties, Dana’s New classification, Strunz classification, mineral specimen images, and alphabetical listings of mineral species. There also are extensive links to other external sources of mineral data and information.
Visit the Go to the Website.
PaleoNet Community
PaleoNet is a system of listservers, WWW pages, and ftp sites designed to enhance electronic communication among palaeontologists.
Go to the Website to ask questions to experts, learn more job opportunities, and many more.
Palaeontology and Geology Online Classes
Dino 101: Dinosaur Paleobiology
Dinosaur Paleobiology is a 12-lesson course teaching a comprehensive overview of non-avian dinosaurs. Topics covered: anatomy, eating, locomotion, growth, environmental and behavioral adaptations, origins and extinction. Lessons are delivered from museums, fossil-preparation labs and dig sites. Estimated workload: 3-5 hrs/week.
Paleontology: Theropod Dinosaurs and the Origin of Birds
Paleontology: Theropod Dinosaurs and the Origin of Birds is a five-lesson course teaching a comprehensive overview of the origins of birds. This course examines the anatomy, diversity, and evolution of theropod dinosaurs in relation to the origin of birds. Students explore various hypotheses for the origin of flight.
Extinctions: Past, Present, & Future
This course introduces you to the five mass extinctions of the pre-human past, their causes and significance to the history of life on earth, and the current mass extinction happening during our time. We’ll also explore the history of paleontology and geological study and review the key players that influenced the science today.
Regardless of your familiarity with the topic, you’ll get portable handouts, lively demonstrations, and quizzes that bridge and enhance your knowledge.
Evolution: A Course for Educators
How are all of the species living on Earth today related? How does understanding evolutionary science contribute to our well-being? In this course, participants will learn about evolutionary relationships, population genetics, and natural and artificial selection. Participants will explore evolutionary science and learn how to integrate it into their classrooms.
Astrobiology and the Search for Extraterrestrial Life
Learn about the origin and evolution of life and the search for life beyond the Earth.
Paleontology: Ancient Marine Reptiles
Paleontology: Ancient Marine Reptiles is a four-lesson course teaching a comprehensive overview of the evolutionary changes that occur when air-breathing terrestrial animals return to water. This course examines the diversity, adaptations, convergence, and phylogenetic relationships of extinct marine reptiles. Students will explore three major groups of marine reptiles: ichthyosaurs, plesiosaurs, and mosasaurs.
Paleontology: Early Vertebrate Evolution
Paleontology: Early Vertebrate Evolution is a four-lesson course teaching a comprehensive overview of the origin of vertebrates. Students will explore the diversity of Palaeozoic lineages within a phylogenetic and evolutionary framework. This course examines the evolution of major vertebrate novelties including the origin of fins, jaws, and tetrapod limbs. Students also explore key Canadian fossil localities, including the Burgess Shale (British Columbia), Miguasha (Quebec), and Man On The Hill (Northwest Territories).
Emergence of Life
How did life emerge on Earth? How have life and Earth co-evolved through geological time? Is life elsewhere in the universe? Take a look through the 4-billion-year history of life on Earth through the lens of the modern Tree of Life!
This course will evaluate the entire history of life on Earth within the context of our cutting-edge understanding of the Tree of Life. This includes the pioneering work of Professor Carl Woese on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus which revolutionized our understanding with a new “Tree of Life.” Other themes include: -Reconnaissance of ancient primordial life before the first cell evolved -The entire ~4-billion-year development of single- and multi-celled life through the lens of the Tree of Life -The influence of Earth system processes (meteor impacts, volcanoes, ice sheets) on shaping and structuring the Tree of Life.
Rockhounding and Fossils Clubs
This photo was taken at the Gem and Mineral Show 2020 in Puyallup, Washington state from Charles Tiblow’s booth.
Charles Tiblow collected every specimen from all the different states of USA.
Why should you consider joining a club? You are connected with incredible people who are passionate about palaeonlogy and geology, experineced in this field, and know all your local gems and fossils localities. Most clubs have monthly meetings and field trips and provide an access to a club’s gear for their members.
National Organizations
State-By-State Rock and Fossil Clubs
{{city.name}}, {{city.state}}
- {{club.name}} {{club.name}}



