Panama

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Three million years ago, the most dramatic geologic event of the last 65 million years occurred: the Isthmus of Panama rose from the ocean, connecting North and South America. It changed the earth's weather patterns, created the Gulf Stream current, and radically altered life forms on both continents. This important geological event created a natural laboratory where today, scientists are exploring some of the mysteries of evolution.

In RADIO EXPEDITIONS Oceans of Life, you'll join Co-host Alex Chadwick and scientists from the Smithsonian Tropical research Institute on a journey far upriver in eastern Panama, in the land of the Embera Indians.

We'll take you on a trek along the river's edge to dig for ancient marine fossils and to learn why and how species have evolved -- or disappeared -- through time.

In this feature, you'll also discover the geographic history of oceans and how the Isthmus created the Atlantic and Pacific, altering life in the seas forever...all revealed in this story through the search for fossilized remains of ancient, tiny marine creatures.

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