The term "Sundance Sea" refers to an ancient body of water that existed during the Late Cretaceous period. The word "Sundance" is pronounced /ˈsʌndæns/, with the first syllable stressed and the "a" sound in the second syllable being pronounced as "æ" like "cat" in IPA phonetic transcription. This spelling is fairly straightforward, with the exception of the "u" in the first syllable, which is silent. The word "sea" is pronounced /si/ and is spelled phonetically as it appears in the English language.
The Sundance Sea is an ancient body of water that existed during the late Jurassic Period, approximately 160 million years ago. This vast sea covered vast regions of North America, stretching from what is now the western United States to parts of western Canada. The name "Sundance Sea" originated from the Sundance Formation, a well-known geological formation that represents the sediments deposited in this ancient sea.
During its existence, the Sundance Sea supported a diverse and vibrant ecosystem. It was home to numerous marine creatures, including mollusks, ammonites, bivalves, and various species of marine reptiles, such as plesiosaurs and ichthyosaurs. Fossil remains of these animals have been found in the sedimentary rocks formed in the Sundance Sea, providing valuable insight into the ancient marine life of the late Jurassic.
Over millions of years, geological processes and significant tectonic movements led to the eventual draining and disappearance of the Sundance Sea. The sediments that once settled at the bottom of this sea were gradually uplifted and exposed due to the forces of nature, allowing scientists and paleontologists to study and interpret the fascinating ancient history preserved within these rocks.
Overall, the Sundance Sea represents an important chapter in Earth's history and offers valuable insights into the biodiversity and geological changes that occurred during the late Jurassic Period.