Between fossils and volcanic eruptions: 3 paleontological sites to visit for free in Chile

In the 1960s, two paleontologists from the University of Chile discovered for the first time the footprints of a dinosaur in the national territory . This was one of the first steps toward researching and exploring the prehistoric life that once inhabited the southern part of the world.

Thanks to weather conditions from where the first footprints were found, are still visible today. And just like this space, there is a series of destinations that those curious to know what life was like before humans They cannot be lost.

I agree to National Service of Geology and Mines in Chile they were found four dinosaur fossils so far among them the Chilesaurus diegosuarezi, found by a 7-year-old boy in the Aysén region in 2015. Additionally, a series of vertebrates similar to but not genealogically related to dinosaurs just like the pliosaurs , marine vertebrates that inhabited the Atacama Desert; or the Gongoken Nanoi in the south of the south.

Although most of these fossils are studied at different universities, some paleontological sites are open to the public. The end of the summer holidays is approaching, but fortunately entry is available all year round and completely free. .

Below is a compilation of three paleontological destinations that can be visited in Chile:

According to the Council of National Monuments (CMN), In there Chacarillas Ravine The footprints of at least four types of vertebrates have been discovered . They were found accidentally, during an exploration for oil resources.

The footprints of the Chacarillas date back at least 100 million years and thanks to them, paleontologists have been able to determine different qualities of the prehistoric animals of the region, such as the speed at which they moved and their social behavior, since they were always in packs.

Dinosaur Valley Park simulates the passage of these giants through the Chacarillas Gorge , in addition to having some fossil footprints found on site. They were also installed six life-size replicas dinosaurs that would have crossed what is now northern Chile.

The park It is located between the towns of pica and Matilla, in the Tarapacá region . According to the CMN website, the actions to create this site “had to be very careful due to the fragility of fossilized traces . Good management of these spaces guarantees their conservation and use as an important educational axis of the region, as well as a very rare tourist attraction in Chile.

For some people, thinking of “hot springs” only means relaxation and disconnection. However, this place has a special appeal, which may not be so calming. At Termas del Flaco, in the O’Higgins region, the first dinosaur footprints discovered in Chile.

Declared a Historic Monument in 1967 , according to the CMN These footprints were discovered by Diego Márquez in 1960, who resided there. Then, the eminent paleontologists Rodolfo M. Casamiquela and Armando Fasola, pioneers in the exploration of prehistoric life in the country discovered that this was the path taken by three-toed dinosaurs, called theropods.

Researchers established that the fingerprints they would have approximately 150 million years and they would have occurred after an escape through the mountain range due to a volcanic eruption . The same lava from this eruption would have favored the fossilization of the footprints. Due to the climatic conditions of this sector and the protection granted by the CMN, they can still be observed by tourists.

These hot springs are located a little less than 100 kilometers from the municipality of San Fernando , in the sixth region, and entry to see the dinosaur footprints is available all year round. To achieve them, it is necessary take a walk along a marked trail.

Southern Chile was also a land where dozens of vertebrates lived. In the María Behety Park of Punta Arenas, a section known as Prehistoric Fauna Park or Cretaceous Park, where there are 10 life-size figures with dinosaurs that are said to have crossed Patagonia.

In this open-air museum, fossils found in the region are exhibited, as well as replicas designed from information collected by paleontologists and created by sculptors Sergio Hillebrandt and Rodrigo Hillebrandt. This initiative was promoted by the Cequa Foundation one of the main sources of research in the region thanks to the work of the University of Magallanes, ANID and the regional government.

Among the attractions are the statues of Inawentu oslatus or titanosaurs, which was found the region in the year 2014 . This “Patagonian giant” is believed to have lived between Chile and Argentina. and they were one of the last dinosaurs of the Cretaceous period, before a mass extinction caused by natural disasters.