Probably the same "black marble" used in other state government buildings, from one quarry near Buchan eastern Victoria. Devonian.

Enjoyed the read.

That's a big Thagomizer!

Yes, despite how similar its bones are to modern varanids, I love the way he scaled it to show it's not just a big Goanna.

Why would anyone place any credence on anything The Australian does?

Yep

I have read the first one. I got a bit weary of the stargateish bits towards the end of the TV series but if I see the books I'll get them.

I literally just watched the first episode The Expanse again. Such a good show.

I have said for a long time that nothing will happen until heat deaths are common throughout the OECD, and even then only if they are wealthy folk but still got done. Of course by then there will be no stopping it. Given the amount of heat lurking in the oceans already it is beyond stopping now.

I read a great biography about him years ago called Darwin's moon. Amazing man.

Good views here apparently but we slept through it 😓😡

Agreed

They were/are a joke but that's the wonderful irony. Could Thylacoleo have filled that leopard-like niche?

In layman's terms they are kind of a cross between a crocodile and a porpoise in skeletal appearance so not a bad guess for the time really.