Last Update: January, 2011 - added more sample fossils


Location:

Calvert Cliffs of MD
and
Surrounding areas

~ 22-8 Million Years Old
Early to Middle Miocene
Chesapeake Group: Calvert, Choptank, and St. Mary's Formations



"Panoramic view of the Calvert Cliffs of MD"

The Cliffs are a very beautiful and scenic place to collect at.



View of cliff exposures along the Chesapeake Bay

"View of the Miocene Cliffs"




Another View of cliff exposures along the Chesapeake Bay

"Another view of the Cliffs"




Sunrise along the cliffs

"Sunrise along the Clavert Cliffs"




Winter Collecting

"Winter Collecting"



Calvert Cliff Site Map

About the Site, Collecting Tips, Directions, etc...

Browse a Sample of Fossils Found

Calvert Cliffs Fossil Identification Sheet

View "Nature Shots" from the Cliffs

Meteorological data for the Calvert Cliffs

Additional site images

About the Cliffs
The Calvert Cliffs of Maryland is part of a large collection of fossiliferous exposures, called the Chesapeake Group, that encompass exposures around the Chesapeake bay, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. These exposures were created by sediment accumulation in the Salisbury Embayment, an area encompassing the Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia coastal plains which is often covered by the ocean (Kent, 1994, p.111).

The Calvert Cliffs run for roughly 24 miles from near Chesapeake Beach to Drum Point on the western shore of Maryland in Calvert County. These cliffs contain an amazing Miocene fauna. More than 600 species of plants and animals have been found here (Glaser, 1979, p.56). Among these countless species, are a wide variety of marine animals such as porpoises, whales, seals, sea turtles, sea cows, and crocodiles. Also, parts of land mammals are occasionally found, the most common being the peccary; a pig like animal. However, more interesting creatures have been found, such as mastodons, wooly rhinos, and camels. Also, the cliffs boast an extremely diverse sea life, from countless genera of sharks and rays (including C. megalodon), to many kinds of fish. Most of these fossils are found as bone fragments, and isolated teeth.

Around this time in the early to middle Miocene, the Salisbury Embayment was a shallow sea; specifically the Calvert Sea, the Choptank Sea, and finally the St. Mary's sea (depending on the age). The Salisbury Embayment is thought to have been used as a calving ground for many species of porpoises and whales. Since there were so many marine mammals here, the largest of prehistoric sharks, the Megatoothes (including C. megalodon), spent a lot of time feeding here. Also, the climate was warmer than it is now. So, on the shore, a diversity of plants grew here, from Cyprus trees to Oak trees.

More information from the Calvert County web site

Here is a rough map of Calvert County, with its formations and collecting sites


Collecting Sites
Keep your distance from the cliffs, they fall all the time!!!

Do not dig in the cliffs! This is illegal on federal and state lands. If it is private property you must get permission.

Unfortunately, there are not many public access sites. Here are a few of them.

Also, please check ahead to make sure the times they are open did not change

Below is a list of available fossil collecting locations along the cliffs in no particualar order (linked to locations when available).
Site 1: Brownies Beach/Randle Cliff and/or Bayfront Park

This beach has an identity crisis. The name is different depending on who you ask. It is officially called Bayfront Park.

The morning sun illuminating the cliffs at Brownies Beach Park sign with entrance fees
  • If you are not a county resident there is a fee during the summer. Refer to the fee sign for prices, dates, etc...
  • Calvert Formation is exposed.
  • Most fossils here are smaller than usual, but it's a nice place to collect at.
  • Just ~ 1/4 to 1/2 mile south of Chesapeake Beach on rt. 261, there is small shoulder on the road with a little entrance to a paved parking lot, then a paved walkway to the beach.
  • The beach is very narrow, and becomes submerged in high tide, so make sure you arrive at low tide.
    • Site 2: Calvert Cliffs State Park


  • St. Marys Formation is exposed.
  • A very nice park that allows collecting at a VERY tiny beach. There is a 2 mile? scenic hike to get to the beach.
  • Small fee
  • Collecting under cliffs here is illegal
  • On Rt. 2/4, 5 miles N. of Solomons, you will see signs for it.
    		•
    Site 3: Flag Ponds Nature Park


  • There is no cliff access at this park. However, some fossils can be found washing in the surf.
  • Small fee
  • Open Memorial Day to Labor Day and Weekends in Winter
  • On route 2/4, 9 miles N. of Solomons, you will see signs for it.
    		•
    Site 4: Breezy Point Beach and Campground

    A sunny afternoon at Breezy Pt. Beach

  • Fossils wash up from the Calvert Formation
  • The Beach is small, and no cliffs are present. Therefore, the teeth found are the TINY ones that wash up from other locations. However, it's a convenient place to camp at if you are collecting at the cliffs for a few days.
  • Small fee
  • Open April 15 to October 15
  • On Rt. 261, a few miles south of Chesapeake Beach, turn onto Breezy Point Rd.
    • Site 5: Westmoreland State Park in VA


  • This is not at the Calvert Cliffs, but it has the same cliff formations present. The cliffs here are called the Horsehead Cliffs.
  • Cliff access is prohibited. However, they have a nice beach next to the cliffs where fossils can wash up.
  • The park also offers a "Fossils, Fun and Fitness River Kayak Trip." This kayak trip is offered Wednesdays, Sundays, and some Saturdays. It takes you below the Horsehead cliffs to a beach with fossils.
  • Click on the link above for hours, fees, maps, directions, and more information.
    • Site 6: Calvert Marine Museum

    Calvert Marine Museum

  • Not a site, but they have scheduled fossil collecting tours. They also have a great fossil exhibit from the cliffs that is worth a visit.
  • The museum is in Solomons. To get to Solomons, on Rt. 2-4 S, Bear right (onto Rt. 2) just before crossing the large bridge leading to St. Marys county.

    		•


    View a Sample of Fossils Found:

    If you plan on collecting at the cliffs, or need Calvert fossils identified, this is you place, click the image below!




    Recommended Equipment:

    Small shovel and Sifter with a 1/8" - 1/4" screen.
    Remember, it is illegal to dig in the cliffs. Plus they fall all the time, you want to stay away from them.

    The small shovel is for screening. Go to the surf, where you see pebbles and small rocks, toss a shovel full in your sifter and see what fossils you get!


    Waders
    Felt bottomed waders are now illegal in Maryland. They help spread some kind of invasive algae. Use non-felt lined waders

    Waders are common sense for colder weather, however, in the summer, if you want to not get stung by sea nettles, waders are still a good idea.


    Sunscreen/Water/Snacks
    Anytime you are outdoors, you should have adequate amounts of water, insect repellent, some food, sunscreen, and a hat! There's often no shade along the beachs.


    Cell Phone/Contact Person
    If you're in a remote spot, make sure someone knows where you are or have a cell phone with reception.

    You never know when you will be ambushed by a Megalodon, and need to seek medical attention.


    Don't Overpack!
    I often see collectors who look like they are hiking the appalachian trail for 6 months. Don't overdo it. You want to have fun while collecting. You don't want to have to carry 30 pounds of MRE's, 2 tents, a kitchen table, 3 changes of clothes, a rubber ducky, etc...
    Idealy, you want to pack light and come home heavy with shark teeth and other fossils.



    Recommended Books:
    Fossils of Calvert Cliffs
    by Wallace L. Ashby
    Copyright 1986
    Calvert Marine Museum Press.
    Solomons, MD

    A highly recommended book for beginning collectors, and collectors new to the cliffs.
    This book can be bought at the Calvert Marine Museum, or ordered online from the museum.
    Fossil Shark Teeth of the World, A Collector's Guide
    by Joe Cocke
    Copyright 2002
    Lamna Books
    Torrance, CA

    A great book for identifying all those teeth. This book is laid out "as simple as possible." It's ease of use and small size makes it great to carry during collecting trips.
    Fossil Sharks of the Chesapeake Bay Region
    by Bretton W. Kent
    Copyright 1994
    Egan Rees & Boyer, Inc
    Colombia, MD

    A great book for identifying all those teeth. A must for any beginner collector.
    Seal/Dolphin ~ Phoca/Stenella: A Skeletal Comparison of Two Marine Mammals
    by John R. Timmerman
    Copyright 1997
    North Carolina Fossil Club Inc.

    This is a very good book if you want to attempt to identify the numerous bone fragments encountered at this site. You can get it by writing to:
    The North Carolina Fossil Club, Inc.
    P.O. Box 2777
    Durham, NC 27715
    Megalodon, Hunting the Hunter
    by Mark Renz
    Copyright 2002
    PaleoPress
    Lehigh Acres, FL

    A Great new book about megatoothed sharks. A nice read for anyone interested in megalodons. It has sections dedicated to megalodon evolution, extinction, pathologies, and locations of meg fossil-hunting grounds around the world.


    Other Recommendations:
  • Make sure you check the tides, winds, and weather for the bay before collecting.
    If you show up at high tide, the collecting beach may be submerged!

    Here is a page where you can find all of the Meteorological data.

  • Stay away from the base of the cliffs. Large chunks that could turn you into a pancake fall off quite often.

  • It is best to collect at low tide, so check the tide charts.

  • Walk along the shore slowly, the teeth are mixed in with shell fragments and small pebbles, making them hard to spot. If you are not careful, you will walk over many of the teeth.

  • Beware of the swarms of biting flies and stinging jellyfish in late summer!!!

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    Great Links to Visit for Calvert Cliff Fossils:


  • Calvert Marine Museum

    • The local Museum with a numerous fossil displays from the cliffs.

  • Phatfossils

    • A site made by 3 collectors who live in the bay area. They have some Phat fossils from the bay and other areas on the east coast.

  • Kids Saving Nature

    • If you have a family and want to know if the cliffs are a good/fun spot to take your children fossil collecting, you need to click here. This site has been created by 2 kids (with the help of their Father). A part of their website gives a kids perspective on fossil collecting around the Calvert cliffs area!


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