Panama Canal Excavations (IMAGE) Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Caption Geologists and paleontologists are in a hurry to map, describe and recover fossils from the Panama Canal widening earthworks as further excavation, tropical rains and overgrowth by vegetation will soon destroy these sites. Credit STRI Usage Restrictions Credit: STRI License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.