Ancient Sea Hippo Fossil Unearthed in Simi Valley After the 2019 Ridgecrest Earthquakes
(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) – Following the powerful Ridgecrest earthquakes in 2019, a significant paleontological discovery has been made here in Simi Valley. A utility crew working on a private road unearthed a 600-pound stone block encasing a fossil believed to date back approximately 15 million years. This remarkable find has caught the attention of scientists and local residents alike.
The discovery was made about two weeks after the earthquakes, which struck on July 4, 2019 with a magnitude of 6.4 and on July 5 with a magnitude of 7.1. The scientists believe the quakes dislodged the massive stone block from the hills a few miles north of Highway 118 in the Tapo Canyon area, causing it to roll down onto the private road where it was found.
Russell Shapiro, a professor of paleontology at CSU Chico, is leading the investigation into the fossil. Shapiro, who has a history of studying vertebrate fossils, suggests that the fossil could be from a small whale that swam in the Pacific Ocean when sea water covered the Simi Valley area millions of years ago. However, due to the unique characteristics of the fossil, there is also a possibility that it could belong to a sea hippo, a species known as Desmostylidae, which also inhabited the ancient Pacific waters.
Shapiro and his team are particularly excited about this find because it is not just a few random bones but a fairly complete torso. The fossil’s excellent preservation offers a rare opportunity to learn more about the marine life that once thrived in the area now known as Simi Valley. This discovery adds a new chapter to our understanding of Simi Valley’s ancient history, highlighting the region’s significant geological and paleontological heritage.
The utility crew, following protocol, alerted authorities upon finding the fossil. Photos of the block were sent to SWCA Environmental in Pasadena, who then contacted Shapiro. Recognizing the significance of the find, Shapiro and a team of experts, including Todd Greene from CSU Chico and Win McLaughlin from Occidental College, traveled to the site to take possession of the fossil. The property owner granted permission for the team to remove the block along with a few smaller ones, ensuring that this piece of Simi Valley’s ancient past would be preserved for study.
The Simi Valley fossil became part of an 18-month exhibition on California fossils at the Gateway Science Museum on the CSU Chico campus, last summer. This exhibit offered visitors a chance to connect with the region’s prehistoric past. The fossil’s robust nature means it could be touched by children without risk of damage, making it an interactive and educational highlight.
As the story of this ancient sea hippo or whale unfolds, there is a growing interest among Simi Valley residents. Shapiro and his team plan to return to the discovery site to search for additional pieces, including the creature’s head, which could definitively identify the species. This ongoing research underscores the importance of local involvement and awareness in uncovering and preserving our natural history.
The discovery of the fossil in Simi Valley not only enriches our understanding of the region’s ancient ecosystems but also serves as a fascinating reminder of the ever-changing nature of our planet. As more information comes to light, Simi Valley continues to be a place of historical and scientific significance.
