More from the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway

This is slightly older news, but I’ve realised that the recently opened Doomsday Global Seed Vault which several folks have been banging on about is in the same general area as the monster-sized pliosaur find: the Svalbard Archipelago!

The Doomsday vault is a terrific idea. Similar to the Kew Millenium Seed Bank opened in London in 2000, its purpose is to safeguard existing plant genetic diversity against accidental loss or mismanagement.

The non-scientific media have been quick to position this as a doomsday scenario – as a result of nuclear war or cosmic cataclysm – and commentators have made connections with increasingly popular genetically modified cropping. However, this facility is far more likely to act as insurance against losing species of plants in a more insidious way: by people’s apathy about conservation.

Norwegian Monster

Nick-named by the Oslo Uni team of paleontologists who discovered it, the Monster – a Jurassic era pliosaur – looks to be the largest marine reptile ever.

Measurements of parts of the partial skeleton discovered in the Svalbard archipelago (within 1000km of the North Pole) indicate that the creature was probably around 15 metres in length. The previous record holder was an Australian discovery: the kronosaur, outlined above along with a very unlucky diver, at a comparatively measly 10 metres.

Pliosaurs were at the top of their food chain more than 150 million years ago. Gigantic crocodile-like carnivores, their streamlined body shape, powerful flippers and mouthful of sharp, conical teeth would have struck terror into their prey.

Together with The Monster, the Norwegian team also discovered the fossilised remains of a long-necked plesiosaur and an icthyosaur. These discoveries will keep Oslo Uni paleontologists busy for several years to come!