[[6] The state park is known for the abundance of mainly Middle Miocene sub-epoch fossils that can be found on the shoreline.[7]]Natural history
Geology
The park contains the type locality site of the Early to Middle Miocene Calvert Formation.[8][3] These rocks are the sediment from a coastal ocean that covered the area during that time. The age of the formation is (19-)18–15(-14) million years ago (Ma), i.e. it extends essentially over the Hemingfordian stage. This formation occurs in Maryland and neighboring Virginia.
In addition, rocks of the younger Choptank and the St. Marys Formations are exposed here. This makes Calvert Cliffs State Park extremely interesting for its paleoclimatology and paleontology, because the accessible strata provide a good record of the Middle Miocene Climate Transition and document a minor mass extinction event — the "Middle Miocene disruption." Fossil collecting and "rockhounding" are permitted on the beach; the cliffs are closed due the dangers of erosion.
Paleontology
The Calvert Formation is notable for its plentiful fossil shark teeth. Especially popular among "rockhounds" are those from giants such as Carcharocles and the famous Megalodon[11] (which is often included in Carcharocles).
The ancestral baleen whale Eobalaenoptera harrisoni and the merganser Mergus miscellus were described from the Virginian part of the formation. From the uppermost layer, deposited 15–14 Ma, they represent the oldest known member of their family and genus, respectively. Some remains of a prehistoric loon (Gavia) from the lowermost parts of the Calvert Formation, dating back nearly 18 Ma, are the oldest records of that genus from North America, and among the oldest worldwide.
Other notable baleen whales from this area include a Cephalotropis coronatus. One was discovered by hobbyist paleontologist Jeffery DiMeglio in 2004 after cliff erosion caused by Hurricane Isabel exposed the skull and scapula.[12] Mandibles, neck vertebrae, and scapulae were also found during the dig. The skull and vertebrae are on display at the Calvert Marine Museum.[13] Other items found in the field jackets of the whale were fish bones, hundreds of mollusks, a Hexanchus gigas tooth, and two Carcharodon hastalis teeth.
Social history
On his 1612 map, Captain John Smith identified the area as "Rickard's Cliffes," having given them his mother's family's name.[14][15] Some 350 years later, the state park was developed with the General Assembly funding land purchases in each year from 1965 to 1968, then in 1969, dedicating money to the installation of the park's initial roads, parking area, and utilities.[16]
Industrial neighbors
The Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant is located a short distance north of the park. The Dominion Cove Point liquid natural gas receiving station is visible off shore from the park beach.
Activities and amenities
Calvert Cliffs State Park is mostly forested, with some wetland areas and a small pond for fishing. The park has {{convert|13|mi}} of marked hiking trails. A quarter-mile-long sandy beach is accessible via a {{convert|1.8|mi|adj=on}} trail. Some 550 acres are open to hunting upland game, turkey, and deer.[ The park is rich in biodiversity and is home to numerous species of plants and animals, with at least 163 species of birds observed in the park.[18]]
References
1. ^{{cite web|title=Calvert Cliffs State Park|url=https://www.protectedplanet.net/calvert-cliffs-state-park|website=Protected Planet|publisher=IUCN|accessdate=1 May 2018}}
2. ^1 {{cite gnis|1676552|Calvert Cliffs State Park}}
3. ^{{cite book |last1=Godfrey |first1=Stephen J. (ed.) |title=The Geology and Vertebrate Paleontology of Calvert Cliffs, Maryland [Smithsonian Contributions to Paleobiology; no. 100]) |date=2018 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution Scholarly Press |location=Washington, DC |url=https://purl.fdlp.gov/GPO/gpo117196 |accessdate=10 March 2019}}
4. ^1 {{cite web |url=http://dnr.maryland.gov/land/stewardship/pdfs/currentacreagereport.pdf |title=Fiscal Year 2016 DNR Owned Lands Acreage |publisher=Maryland Department of Natural Resources |date=July 29, 2016 |accessdate=November 2, 2017}}
5. ^1 {{cite web |url=http://www.mgs.md.gov/geology/fossils/fossil_collecting.html |title=Fossil Collecting Sites at Calvert Cliffs |publisher=Maryland Geological Survey |accessdate=July 15, 2015}}
6. ^1 {{cite web |url=http://www.mgs.md.gov/geology/fossils/calvert_cliffs_fs.html |title=Calvert Cliffs Fossils |first=Jeanne D. |last=McLennan |date=1973 |publisher=Maryland Geological Survey |accessdate=July 15, 2015}}
7. ^1 {{cite web |url=http://www.smithtrail.net/captain-john-smith/smiths-maps/ |work=Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail |title=Smith's Maps |publisher=National Park Service |accessdate=December 10, 2013}}
8. ^1 {{cite web |url=http://www.bayjournal.com/article/bays_coastal_cliffs_are_but_shells_of_their_former_selves |title=Bay’s coastal cliffs are but shells of their former selves |first=Kent |last=Mountford |publisher=Chesapeake Media Service |work=Bay Journal |date=June 1, 2009 |accessdate=December 10, 2013}}
9. ^1 {{cite web |url=http://www.fossilguy.com/sites/calvert/calv_meg.htm |title=Megalodon - Megatooth fossils found at the Calvert Cliffs of Maryland |publisher=The Fossil Guy |accessdate=December 10, 2013}}
10. ^1 {{cite web |url=http://www.foraminifera.eu/calvertcliffs.html |title=Calvert Cliffs, Maryland |publisher=The Foraminifera.eu-Project |accessdate=December 10, 2013}}
11. ^1 {{cite report |url=https://archive.org/stream/historicalsummar352mary#page/38/mode/2up/search/cliffs |title=Historical Summary of Capital Improvements Authorized by General Assembly 1964 through 1978 |publisher=State of Maryland Department of State Planning |page=38 |year=1978 |accessdate=October 7, 2016}}
12. ^1 {{cite web |url=http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?step=saveChoices&getLocations=hotspots&parentState=US-MD&bMonth=01&bYear=1900&eMonth=12&eYear=2011&reportType=location&hotspots=L285147&continue.x=82&continue.y=17&continue=Continue |title=Bird Observations at Calvert Cliffs State Park |work=eBird |publisher=Cornell Lab of Ornithology |accessdate=May 31, 2011}}
13. ^1 {{cite news |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/4110784/ns/technology_and_science-science/t/ancient-whale-skull-left-hurricanes-wake/#.WE8IZ_krK00 |title=Ancient whale skull left in hurricane's wake |first=Stephen |last=Manning |agency=Associated Press |publisher=NBCNews.com |date=January 30, 2004 |accessdate=December 12, 2016}}
14. ^1 {{cite web |url=http://www.calvertmarinemuseum.com/240/Paleontology-Exhibits |title=Paleontology Exhibits |publisher=Calvert Marine Museum |accessdate=November 2, 2017}}