I have spent countless hours investigating roadcuts, streambanks, and outcrops for fossils. The vast majority of the time, I am not successful. Experienced fossil collectors know that many rocks are barren of fossils, especially in early Paleozoic sediments. Many sedimentary rocks are just vast sequences of shale, sand, and limestone. Whatever lived in the seas or on the seafloor did not always become part of the rock.
If you want to find fossils, you must look in rock sequences conducive to hosting life and preserving fossils. Thick beds of shale, sandstone, and limestone often did not have the right conditions. Shales formed from vast deposits of mud, and sandstones can sometimes represent rapid deposition from alluvial fans or river deltas that could not preserve animal bodies. Limestones, especially early Paleozoic limestones, at times formed from solely chemical precipitates and carbonate mud and often do not have visible fossils.
However, a significant feature that you may encounter in otherwise barren shales, sandstones, and limestones is an ancient coral reef. Coral reefs formed in relatively warm shallow waters and were often full of life. A fossil coral reef is virtually guaranteed to have fossils.
HUNTING FOR CORAL REEF FOSSILS
While coral reefs were undoubtedly extensive, they can often be hard to find, as they are only visible where sections with the reef components are exposed. These exposures may be in roadcuts, stream beds, cliff sides, or in quarries. The reef’s presence is often indicated by the remnant structure of corals and other materials that formed the reef.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
This News is for the Birds
The amazing range of the would-be birds!
CALIFORNIA MAGNESITE PLASMA AGATE
California magnesite plasma agate is a kaleidoscope of minerals. Much like its neighbor from Clear Creek, it contains chalcedony, serpentine, jadeite and chromite.
HOW TO CREATE A CABBING MATERIAL
Even though Mother Nature creates almost unbounded types and numbers of beautiful materials for cabbing, often I struggle to find a slab that will work for the project that I want to do.
PINWHEEL - VIET GEMS 149
I am frequently asked what my favorite gemstone designs are and where to find them. After my trip to the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, I updated my list of favorites to include gemstone designer, Phan Thanh Trung.
Copper Minerals: My Favorite
I have lived in the “Copper State” of Arizona for 65 years so it should not surprise readers that copper minerals are among my favorites to collect.
OPPENHEIMER, TRINITY SITE AND TRINITITE
The widely acclaimed, 2023 Hollywood biographical movie Oppenheimer recently won seven Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor (Cillian Murphy).
Clearing ,Smudging & Setting Intentions for Stones
Why do you believe what you believe? Are your beliefs true because you choose to believe them? Whether it is religion, science or the metaphysical, your belief and faith make it real to you in mind, body and soul.
Rhode Island's Hobbit Stone Age
Rhode Island may be 22nd out of 30 states in miles of total coastline but when you compare coastline length to land acres, it ranks second only to Maryland.
Black Range Amethyst
Amethyst in Southwest New Mexico
EQUINE Bling!
How an Oklahoma Saddle Maker Uses Moissanite, Gold, Silver Turquoise tc to Adorn Saddles Jewelry