A chance discovery by rock climbers in Italy has uncovered what scientists believe are 79-million-year-old tracks left by ancient marine reptiles, possibly sea turtles, offering rare insight into how ocean life reacted to seismic events during the Late Cretaceous period.
The unusual markings were found in Monte Cònero, a coastal area overlooking the Adriatic Sea, inside the Cònero Regional Park. The grooves were etched into Scaglia Rossa limestone, a geological formation known for preserving deep-sea sediments and marine fossils. Researchers say the tracks may record a moment of sudden chaos on the seafloor, frozen in time by a powerful underwater avalanche triggered by an earthquake.
Climbers’ Discovery Reveals Rare Fossil Evidence
The tracks were first noticed by rock climbers scaling exposed limestone slabs when they spotted dense, curved grooves spread across the rock surface. After geological and paleontological analysis, scientists concluded the marks were likely made by marine reptiles moving rapidly across soft seabed sediment.
According to the study published in Cretaceous Research, the tracks differ from typical marine reptile fossil imprints. Instead of calm, evenly spaced movements, the marks suggest hurried and irregular motion, pointing to a sudden disturbance in the environment.
Researchers believe an earthquake may have shaken the seafloor, forcing marine animals to react instinctively. Within minutes, an underwater sediment flow buried the tracks, preserving them in remarkable detail for millions of years.
Unusual Movement Raises New Questions
One of the most intriguing aspects of the find is the pattern of movement indicated by the tracks. Experts say the grooves suggest “underwater punting,” where both forelimbs were pushed into the sediment at the same time to propel the animal forward.
“This is unusual,” said vertebrate paleontology expert Michael Benton, who was not involved in the study. Most marine vertebrates, including modern sea turtles, swim using alternating limb movements rather than simultaneous pushes. The tracks challenge existing assumptions about how ancient marine reptiles behaved under stress.
The discovery raises questions about whether extreme events like earthquakes could force animals into unfamiliar movement patterns, especially in shallow or disturbed waters.
Geological Evidence Supports Earthquake Theory
The geological setting strengthens the theory that a seismic event played a role. Scientists studying the limestone layers found signs of a rapid underwater mudslide, consistent with earthquake-triggered sediment movement.
Alessandro Montanari, director of the Coldigioco Geological Observatory, said the timing was critical. “An earthquake likely caused an underwater avalanche within minutes of the tracks being made, allowing them to be preserved almost instantly,” he explained.
The region has a long history of tectonic activity, and similar formations elsewhere show signs of sudden burial events linked to seismic disturbances.
While some scientists remain cautious about definitively attributing the tracks to sea turtles, the discovery provides a rare snapshot of ancient marine life responding to sudden environmental stress. Further studies may help confirm the species involved and reveal more about how prehistoric oceans reacted to natural disasters.