Stanley Glacier

Stanley Glacier in British Columbia, Canada, is significant both as a mountain icefield and as a paleontological locality. At this site, the thin Stephen Formation has yielded fossils with soft-tissue preservation, drawing scientific interest after a hiker reported the discovery to Parks Canada. Researchers then investigated and identified a new assemblage of organisms. The discovery was especially surprising because Burgess Shale-type preservation appeared here despite the absence of the Cathedral escarpment. Exploratory excavations have already uncovered several new species, including Stanleycaris. Named for Frederick Stanley, Stanley Glacier now denotes both the glacier and a fossil site that broadened understanding of Cambrian-style soft-tissue preservation in this part of British Columbia.

British Columbia · Canada