Local Geomorphologist Unearths Rare Mastodon Tooth in San Francisco Bay Area

A geomorphologist discovers a well-preserved mastodon tooth in a creek, highlighting the region's prehistoric past.

September 12, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Los Altos, California — A geomorphologist working on a habitat restoration project in the San Francisco Bay Area recently uncovered a rare fossilized tooth from a Pacific mastodon, an extinct elephant-like species that roamed North America thousands of years ago.

The discovery was made by Brigid Lynch, a geomorphologist with Balance Hydrologics, while she was conducting fieldwork in a Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District preserve in San Mateo County. The tooth, found along a wooded creek, has been donated to Stanford University’s Doerr School of Sustainability for further study and public education.

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Experts say the fossil is in excellent condition, with both the crown and root intact. It is about 9 inches long and provides valuable insight into the prehistoric wildlife of the region. The find underscores the importance of preserving open spaces, as it was made possible through efforts to protect local habitats and ecosystems.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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