The Devonian Fossil Gorge was created in July 1993, the last time water burst over the spillway. When that water subsided, a picture emerged in the exposed limestone — thousands of fossils from the creatures that lived here 375 million years ago, when Iowa was a tropical sea. via The Gazette

The recent flooding once again sent water rushing over the spillway, widening the gorge and revealing new fossils. Also: the fact that Iowa was a tropical sea reminds us of the origins of Coralville’s name.

The flooding back home does not seem to be letting up. Our home is high and dry, but many others are not. Of less immediate concern, perhaps, are the businesses affected by the flooding, but Debbie raised a good point: many of those businesses have already been hit hard by a sluggish economy. Can they recover? What will the area look like when I get back?