description Calvert Cliffs Overview
Calvert Cliffs are prominent sedimentary cliffs along the western shore of Chesapeake Bay in Maryland, United States. The exposed layers were deposited during the Miocene and contain a large record of marine fossils, including remains of sharks, whales, rays, and other animals. Calvert Cliffs State Park provides public access to part of the formation and is a destination for geology, fossil study, and shoreline recreation.
help Calvert Cliffs FAQ
How old are the fossils at Calvert Cliffs?
The cliffs expose Miocene deposits formed about 10 to 20 million years ago, when southern Maryland was covered by a warm, shallow sea. That is why the fossils are mainly marine rather than dinosaur remains. [Maryland Department of Natural Resources](https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/pages/southern/calvertcliffs.aspx)
What fossils can be found at Calvert Cliffs?
More than 600 fossil species have been identified from the cliffs, including sharks, whales, rays, oysters, and the scallop Chesapecten. Shark teeth are among the most common finds on the public beach. [Maryland Department of Natural Resources](https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/pages/southern/calvertcliffs.aspx)
Where can visitors hunt fossils at Calvert Cliffs State Park?
The public fossil-hunting area is the beach at the end of the Red Trail, about 1.8 miles from the parking lot. Visitors commonly sift the sand for shark teeth, shells, and small marine fossils. [Calvert Cliffs State Park](https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/pages/southern/calvertcliffs.aspx)
Can you climb or collect fossils beneath the Calvert Cliffs?
No. The area directly beneath the cliffs is closed because active erosion can cause landslides, and Maryland prohibits collecting fossils there; the open beach is the permitted hunting area. [Calvert Cliffs State Park](https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/pages/southern/calvertcliffs.aspx)
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