Rather than picturing the animals as drowning while crossing a river, a classic scenario that has been used to explain bonebed occurrences at many sites in Alberta, the research team interpreted the vast coastal landscape as being submerged during tropical storms or hurricanes.

With no high ground to escape to, most of the members of the herd drowned in the rising coastal waters. Carcasses were deposited in clumps across kilometres of ancient landscape as floodwaters receded.

“It’s unlikely that these animals could tread water for very long, so the scale of the carnage must have been breathtaking,” said Mr. Eberth. “The evidence suggests that after the flood, dinosaur scavengers trampled and smashed bones in their attempt to feast on the rotting remains.”

Link via Geekosystem | Image: West Virginia University at Parkersburg

The small town of Vulcan in Alberta, Canada, has exploited its Star Trek name since the 60s. It’s a pilgrimage site for nerds where the local menus offer foods from Star Trek without explaining what they are for you unenlightened souls who don’t watch the shows.

Via Topless Robot

Neatoramanaut Cat and Brat told us of a bizarre yet strangely compelling museum in central Alberta, Canada: The World Famous Gopher Hole Museum in Torrington. The main attraction of the museum are 47 dioramas featuring taxidermied gophers dressed up in various poses by artist Shelly Haase: Link – Thanks Cat & Brat!

RoadTrip America also has a review of the museum:

Ironically, it was not artistry, but politics and timing that generated the most publicity for the new enterprise. The Gopher Hole Museum opened its doors in 1996, and it wasn’t long before People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) got wind of the project. Voila. Instant world fame for the tiny hamlet of Torrington, Alberta. Even though it wasn’t what they had in mind, the citizens of Torrington aren’t complaining. They created the museum to increase tourism, and they don’t seem to mind at all if it’s PETA that gets the word out.

"The gophers are a tremendous problem for the farmers here," explained Angie. "We have to kill them. Is it so bad to put them on display afterwards?"

Previously on Neatorama:
- 10 Strange and Obscure American Museums
- Unexpected Places on the National Historic Landmark List