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  1. From the album: Tertiary

    Cucullaea gigantea False Ark Shell Clam (external cast) 5 and 3/4 inches in length Paleocene Aquia Formation Oxon Hill, MD.
  2. Jeffrey P

    Paleocene False Ark Clam from Maryland

    From the album: Tertiary

    Cucullaea gigantea False Ark Shell Clam (external cast) 5 and 3/4 inches in length Paleocene Aquia Formation Oxon Hill, MD.
  3. I've been researching again large reptiles of the Paleocene (66.0-56.0 Million Years ago) and Eocene (56.0-33.9 Million Years ago) eras recently and I've come across something interesting - the sudden emergence of giant sea snakes in the Eocene. The Paleocene did see some large snakes, including the largest known snake in the fossil record the Boa relative Titanoboa (which grew up to 12.8-14.3 m. (42-47 feet) in length). But the sudden appearance of large sea snakes like Palaeophis colossaeus (which grew up to 12.3 m. (40 feet) in length) during the Eocene perplexes me as I've been struggling to find any large (or at least fairly large) sea snakes from the Paleocene. That is except one possible contender named Vialovophis from the late Paleocene as described in a Scientific Paper from 1997. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Alexander-Averianov/publication/235806050_Paleogene_Sea_Snakes_from_the_Eastern_Part_of_Tethys/links/5437db850cf2027cbb205006/Paleogene-Sea-Snakes-from-the-Eastern-Part-of-Tethys.pdf I'm just a bit curious why this? Did these sea snakes evolve such gigantic sizes only during the Eocene and why?
  4. ArtyK

    Have I found something?

    Hi Everyone I'm an absolute newbie with no idea what I'm doing or looking for but had a fine time doing it. Exploring around north Canterbury New Zealand in an area known for yielding some great fossil discoveries. I found a number of oyster shell layers as well as some smaller crabs and other shells embedded in various rocks. When overturning some larger rocks I found this half buried underneath of one. I thought it looked interesting but again as I'm not really certain what I'm looking for it's likely nothing- but thought would post here as a learning opportunity. Size is approximately 80mm x 60mm. Have posted next to a fork for reference. Thanks for taking the time to look!
  5. Around 66 Million years ago, at the end of the Maastrichtian stage of the Late Cretaceous period, an astroid struck what is now the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. The subsequent impact and its effects caused the KT mass extinction event. The event wiped out 75% of all life on Earth. This included all the non-avian dinosaurs and most genera of marine reptiles. The end of the event also heralded the beginning of the Cenozoic era with the Paleocene period (66.0-56.0 Million years ago), and the dawn of the age of the mammals (one of the survivors from the Cretaceous Paleocene extinction event). But what most people don't realize is that in large areas of the planet, mammals didn't immediately takeover over the top ecological niches the Non-Avian Dinosaurs left vacant. That is because many surviving reptile groups filled those voids first (albeit briefly). In many parts of the globe, The Paleocene was still the age of the reptiles. https://news.agu.org/press-release/scientists-reconstruct-ancient-impact-that-dwarfs-dinosaur-extinction-blast/ A Geologic Time Scale 2004. (2004). Nigeria: Cambridge University Press. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6842625 This was partly due to the fact that the climate of the Paleocene and Eocene was generally hotter than today, which favored Ectothermic reptiles. As a result, these reptiles quickly grew to large body sizes and many filled the voids left vacant by the extinction of the endothermic non-avian theropod dinosaurs. Here is a list of these reptiles which hopefully demonstrates the diversity of these incredible creatures during the Paleocene. Let me know if I forgot any examples. North America - Thoracosaurus neocesariensis (Gavialoidea) (Late Cretaceous-Paleocene (70.6-56.0 Million Years ago)) (Note: Thoracosaurus species could grow up to 5 meters (16 feet) in length) Kosmodraco dakotensis (Choristodera) (Paleocene (60.2-56.8 Million Years ago) (Note: Kosmodraco dakotensis could grow up to 5 meters (16 feet) in length) Kosmodraco magnicornis (Choristodera) (Paleocene (56.8-55 Million Years ago)) Champsosaurus gigas (Choristodera) (Paleocene) (Note: Champsosaurus gigas could grow up to 3 meters (9 feet) in length) Borealosuchus acutidentatus (Crocodylomorpha) (Late Cretaceous-Paleocene (66.0-63.3 Million Years ago)) Axestemys splendida (Soft-shell turtle-Trionychidae) (Late Cretaceous-Paleocene) (Note: Axestemys species could grow up to 2 meters (6 feet) in length) Axestemys montinsana (Soft-shell turtle-Trionychidae) (Late Cretaceous-Paleocene) (Note: Axestemys species could grow up to 2 meters (6 feet) in length) Adocus onerosus (turtle-Dermatemyidae) (Paleocene) (Note: Adocus species could grow up to 80 cm. (2 feet) In length) Europe - Thoracosaurus isorhynchus (Gavialoidea) (Late Cretaceous-Paleocene (70.6-56.0 Million Years ago)) (Note: Thoracosaurus species could grow up to 5 meters (16 feet) in length) South America - Cerrejonisuchus improcerus (Dyrosaurid) (Mid-Late Paleocene (60-58 Million Years ago)) Acherontisuchus guajiraensis (Dyrosaurid) (Mid-Late Paleocene (60-58 Million Years ago)) Titanoboa cerrejonensis (Boa snake-Boidae) (Mid-Late Paleocene (60-58 Million Years ago)) (Note: Titanoboa cerrejonensis could grow up to 12.8 meters (42 feet) in length) Carbonemys cofrinii (turtle-Podocnemididae) (Mid-Late Paleocene (60-58 Million Years ago)) Cerrejonemys wayuunaiki (turtle-Podocnemididae) (Mid-Late Paleocene (60-58 Million Years ago)) (Note: Cerrejonemys wayuunaiki could have grown to 1 meter (3 feet) in length)) Puentemys mushaisaensis (turtle-Bothremydidae) (Mid-Late Paleocene (60-58 Million Years ago)) (Note: Puentemys mushaisaensis could have grown to 1.51 meters (5 feet) in length)) Africa - Arambourgisuchus khouribgaensis (Dyrosaurid) (Late Paleocene (59-55 Million Years ago)) Chenanisuchus lateroculi (Dyrosaurid) (Late Cretaceous-Paleocene) (Note: Chenanisuchus lateroculi could grow up to 4.5 meters (14 feet) in length) Amananulam sanogoi (aquatic snake-Nigerophiidae) (Paleocene) Acleistochelys maliensis (turtle-Bothremydidae) (Paleocene 61.7-55.8 Million Years ago) What do you guys think?
  6. What Is the Largest Snake That Ever Existed? (msn.com)
  7. Fossil_Adult

    Purse state park

    This is probably one of my best days out in the Paleocene I’ve had yet. I went to purse state park today and upon arriving, there were at least 6 cars. The beach was flooded with people, and boot prints were all over. It seemed well traversed. The tide was also coming in, with some of the beach inaccessible without wadders or high boots. It was slow going on the first half of the day but the second half couldn’t have been better. I was finding one stunning fossils after the next. This was a pretty good outing, and I will have to return as soon as possible. Here are all the finds: Everything pictured: I found a few sand tiger teeth, a back bone of some kind, 2 pretty nice sized Otodus teeth, and a complete ray mouth plate! This was a really good find I am extremely happy about this. Only a foot of beach had been exposed and I was finding a lot on these recently kicked up cobbles. Nobody had been around and the surf must have mixed up the gravel to the top of the beach where it was redeposited. A ton of people were on the beach, and there was a huge tide coming in, and this managed to be one of my best days in the Aquia. Closer up: A really nice little hound sharks tooth. These are my favorite tiny sharks teeth to find here. There is also a couple of sand tigers, a scapula (?) of some kind (crocodile? Turtle?), 2 nice Otodus teeth, and a show stopping ray plate to top it all off. This is my first complete large ray plate. I have a couple other small ones but this one is huge. Flipped: The ray plate is so cool. I am very happy that I came at high tide I think I will start doing that more often now. Lots of finds to be made! Ray Plate and Otodus: This was such a good day. I think the Aquia formation might be one of my favorites. I want to go out to Virginia at some point to collect the Aquia it’s been a while and I know there’s good stuff there. Thank you guys for reading this! I really had fun out there with a parking lot full of cars.
  8. I have been collecting the Aquia formation in several different locations over the course of a few months or so. I haven’t been able to post the finds yet, so I decided that after all this time, I would just group them all into one rather than do a bunch of different posts. The locations I got these from were pg county, and Douglas point. I found a lot of really good stuff, it’s been very productive lately and I’m especially loving the new site in pg county. A lot of good fossils have been coming out of there recently. I am really excited for some of the future trips coming up, but until then, I will show y’all the finds from these locations. PG county (1st location): This little creek has produced a lot of really good finds. Every time I go here however, I always end up finding a broken Otodus. I have never pulled a complete Otodus out of here in all the time I’ve been visiting. Someday it will appear. Here are the photos of all the finds: All the finds grouped together: Two incomplete Otodus, a couple sand tigers/goblin sharks teeth, and some stingray plates are all that was found at this location. A cucullaea gigantea (giant false ark shell) found at this location. Some of the shell was intact as well. Close ups of the bigger sharks teeth: The two Otodus teeth are both broken, with one being heavily worn, and the other having a sheared blade and cusplet. Why I cannot find a complete one here I don’t not know. There are also some sand tiger teeth pictured here that I found as well. Flipped: The broken Otodus to the right is so pretty. Too bad it’s not complete. Smaller sharks / fossil fish teeth: In this photo, there are small sand tiger teeth, a hound shark tooth, and some other smaller species as well. There’s some fish teeth pictured here as well. Smaller fish / shark teeth flipped: I really love the deep black on some of these teeth. I hope to find a bigger one in this color. pg county (second location): Now this place is one of my favorite to go to. It’s got a lot of ground to search, and the fossils that come out of here are in stellar condition. the invertebrate fossils that come out of here preserve extremely well, and the vertebrate material from here is quite abundant as well. Every trip there never leaves me empty handed. In the past I have pulled out multiple Gastropods, a complete Otodus, 3 complete crocodile teeth, large sand tiger teeth, and a whole lot more. I now have some of my best Aquia formation fossils from both of these groups thanks to my recent trips here. The finds are as followed: Vertebrate remains: I have found quite a bit here. These are some of my best vertebrate remains I have ever found from this particular formation. The finds pictured here include a monster of a crocodile jaw, that is one of my favorite finds pictured here. That crocodile would have been massive in size. I measured my largest tooth against its sockets, and it didn’t even compare. The teeth coming out of this croc would probably be 2 inches in length. It’s a really big jaw! I also found a really nicely colored greenish orange sharks tooth from a goblin shark. It’s pretty big as well. The smaller sharks teeth are nice as well. I love the color of some of them. Vertebrate remains close up: The croc jaw is truly the star of the show, but I love all the fossils that come from this place. I will be returning here soon and look forward to collecting here once again. Flipped: The edge of the bone is extremely detailed, and it came right out of the clay as well. It’s like the bone just fell off the crocodile. The teeth that come out of here always have a lot of colors, and can be orange, greenish tint, or white colored. I I’m normally used to blue teeth from the Aquia so it’s cool to get some unique colors out of here. The bone itself also can have purplish tones to it making it stand out, and I have some pictures of the bone color uo close. The preservation from this layer is outstanding and I hope to keep pulling good fossils out of here. Close up of croc jaw: I don’t know if it’s obvious but whenever you look at this bone closely the color is almost a light purple of lavender. It’s a really beautiful color and makes the fossil all the more interesting. Invertebrates (some shark teeth in rocks, and potential Native American activity?): I found some oyster shells, a really nicely detailed small Gastropod. A really large (5 inches length) gastropod, a couple shark teeth, and some rock that looked worked. I’ve been looking for Native American stuff and believe to have found some pottery from here and some large rocks with chucks broken out of them, almost looks intentional to me and not done by the earth. Anyways I’m always keeping my eye out for that kind of stuff. Fossils close up: The two gastropods are my favorite finds from this location. I love how hefty the first one is, and the second one is beautiful. It’s hard to extract fossils from this stone complete as the shells are extremely soft and the matrix is hard to break open with a hammer and chisel. Douglas point: I have found a lot here. I took two trips here, which have been both separated. The first trip gave me a nice fish jaw, an Otodus in superb condition, and a lot more. I found a lot that day. The second trip was a whole lot less finds but found a small croc tooth and a really cool looking paraorthacodus clarkii. Here’s all the finds from this location: First trip: I found a lot this day. A piece of pottery from the old plantation, a huge fish jaw, some nice sand tigers, and a bunch of Otodus including a beautiful sharp 1 1/4 inch Otodus. Closeup: Some of the better stuff found that day. Close up of Otodus: What a stunning tooth! It’s absolutely perfect with very minor blade nicks from feeding. It actually makes this tooth a little cooler that it had been used to eat something. Fish maybe? Crocodile? Turtle? Another shark? Who knows. Otodus flipped: I am in love with this tooth. This is one of my prettier Otodus teeth. Last trip: I didn’t find a bunch this trip. There was absolutely no wave action, the water was still, and there had been no storms. It was way too calm to produce any good finds. I still managed to scrape up a small crocodile tooth, and a paraorthacodus clarkii with broken off cusplets. Some nice sand tigers as well. Here’s all the finds: Not much found that day. here’s a picture of the orthacodus: Broken off cusplets but it’s one of the biggest and most peculiar looking orthacodus I have in my collection. Thank you all for reading! This was a really fun compilation to put together and I cannot wait to get back out there and find more fossils. I’ve done a lot of research and am very excited with what locations I have next in store to visit.
  9. MGooden

    Nanjemoy MD fossil ID #1

    Good evening, brand newbie here. We recently went shark tooth hunting on the beach at Purse State Park in Maryland and along with sand Tiger/goblin/mackerel shark teeth, Gastropod internal molds, stingray dental plates, I collected a few other items that seemed unique. I looked online at some fossil sites for the Paleocene era but man I have to admit I was ready to toss these. Figured it was worth an ask here. I used the centimeter side of my ruler to take photos of each of the items and will post each in a separate post.
  10. MGooden

    Nanjemoy MD fossil or nothin?

    I found this at the beach at Purse State Park in Nanjemoy MD. I don’t know what it is but it’s a metallic material. Wondered if anyone could help identify?
  11. MGooden

    Nanjemoy MD Fossil ID #3

    Good evening, brand newbie here. We recently went shark tooth hunting on the beach at Purse State Park in Maryland and along with sand Tiger/goblin/mackerel shark teeth, Gastropod internal molds, stingray dental plates, I collected a few other items that seemed unique. I looked online at some fossil sites for the Paleocene era but man I have to admit I was ready to toss these. Figured it was worth an ask here. I used the centimeter side of my ruler to take photos of each of the items and will post each in a separate post.
  12. MGooden

    Nanjemoy MD Fossil ID# 4

    Good evening, brand newbie here. We recently went shark tooth hunting on the beach at Purse State Park in Maryland and along with sand Tiger/goblin/mackerel shark teeth, Gastropod internal molds, stingray dental plates, I collected a few other items that seemed unique. I looked online at some fossil sites for the Paleocene era but man I have to admit I was ready to toss these. Figured it was worth an ask here. I used the centimeter side of my ruler to take photos of each of the items and will post each in a separate post. I think this is just a pretty shell but it’s thick and odd feelin.
  13. MGooden

    Nanjemoy MD Fossil ID #4

    Good evening, brand newbie here. We recently went shark tooth hunting on the beach at Purse State Park in Maryland and along with sand Tiger/goblin/mackerel shark teeth, Gastropod internal molds, stingray dental plates, I collected a few other items that seemed unique. I looked online at some fossil sites for the Paleocene era but man I have to admit I was ready to toss these. Figured it was worth an ask here. I used the centimeter side of my ruler to take photos of each of the items and will post each in a separate post.
  14. bthemoose

    Otodus obliquus parasymphyseal?

    I found this perfect little tooth today along the Potomac River in Maryland (Paleocene, Aquia Formation), which I think may be an Otodus obliquus parasymphyseal. The root isn't as oversized as megatooth shark parasymphyseals I've seen posted elsewhere on the forum, but it sure looks like an Otodus, is laterally compressed, and is quite tiny compared to other Otodus I've found. @MarcoSr, @siteseer, @Al Dente, and others, what do you think? This tooth bears similarities to another I found from this location several weeks ago (tooth on the right below).
  15. Barrelcactusaddict

    Wyoming Amber in Matrix (Hanna Fm., ~57-56 Ma)

    From the album: Fossil Amber and Copal: Worldwide Localities

    Specimen: 9.0g / 43x28x12mm Collected June 15, 2022 "Glory Hole" Site Hanna Basin Carbon County, WY Hanna Formation (~57-56 Ma) Deposit: *While amber is found throughout the Hanna Basin, only one site is known to yield large pieces of clear, stable amber: the locality known as "Glory Hole" is located within the north-central section of the Hanna Basin, in south-central Wyoming; exposures are positioned about 8,500 ft. above the base of the Hanna Fm., and at an elevation of roughly 8,900 ft. above sea level. Extensive layers of lignite and carbonaceous (lignitic) mudstone host abundant plant fossils and amber; the matrix is fissile (easily separated into thin layers) and friable (crumbly). Physical weathering (freeze-thaw, wind erosion, thermal expansion, etc.) of the exposures has created an expansive area of disintegrated substrate. This particular site was once a watery paleoenvironment, characterized by shallow swamps. At the very top of the bluff are layers of fissile, light-colored shale referred to as the "Upper Lacustrine Unit" of the Hanna Fm. Amber: *Occurring as small droplets, runs, and globular masses, much of the amber is transparent and of a reddish-orange color throughout, with some containing plentiful internal fractures. The intact, non-fractured amber is very hard, measuring 2.5-3.0 on the Mohs scale, being generally harder than Dominican and Chiapas ambers. It is very fragile and fractures easily, but takes a high, glassy polish like Myanmar amber. Through PyGC-MS, the amber is shown to come from a cupressaceous source tree, and is extremely similar chemically to cretaceous amber from the Raritan Fm. in New Jersey. Of several hundreds of pieces collected by some of the authors, et al., of the cited publication, prepared, and studied at the American Museum of Natural History, only one contained a single insect inclusion: a wingless thrips (1.1mm) that was heavily-compressed and deformed due to geologic forces. From my time at the site, I observed that much of the in-situ amber, especially large pieces, was concentrated within a short horizon only a couple feet in depth. It was especially common near buried, coalified remains of branches and logs, and matrix layers containing numerous leaf remains (mostly cupressaceous). Additionally, I've noticed that some of this material is fairly phosphorescent when exposed to longwave UV light. Minerals and Fossils: While collecting at the site, I noticed several other interesting features besides the amber I sought: carbonized leaves were present in some of the separated matrix layers, petrified wood was present in-situ and eroded from the matrix, and transparent gypsum crystals (some being relatively large) were commonly exposed along the site's surface. Also found in-situ were coalified twigs, branches, logs, and even stumps; I had partially uncovered a few such logs in my shallow excavations (6-12" deep) for amber. I observed a few stumps (~15" diameter) still preserved in an upright position, perpendicular to the matrix layers, with the majority of the lignitic remains buried beneath the surface. Recovered from coarse-grained sandstone originating from above the lignite deposits, was a partial angiosperm leaf imprint with distinct veins. Significance of Hanna Basin Deposits: *Throughout the Hanna Basin, amber is found in various quantities, physical conditions, sizes, and ages: the age range of the ambers' host strata sequence ranges from Late Cretaceous to Late Paleocene (76-56 Ma), an unprecedented range among all the world's known amber deposits. A stratigraphic interval more than 5 miles thick separates the highest and lowest occurrences of amber within the Hanna Basin. Paleocene amber is very rare, with only a handful of significant deposits in the world, notably from the Paris Basin and 5 localities in Switzerland. Source: * "Amber from Upper Cretaceous through Paleocene strata of the Hanna Basin, Wyoming, with evidence for source and taphonomy of fossil resins"; Rocky Mountain Geology, Vol. 35, No. 2, pp. 163-204, December 2000; David A. Grimaldi, Jason A. Lillegraven, Thomas W. Wampler, Denise Bookwalter, and Alexander Shedrinsky

    © Kaegen Lau

  16. Barrelcactusaddict

    Wyoming Amber in Matrix (Hanna Fm., ~57-56 Ma)

    From the album: Fossil Amber and Copal: Worldwide Localities

    Specimen: 9.0g / 43x28x12mm Specimen pictured here is fluorescing under exposure to longwave UV light, and also illuminated by ambient LED light. Collected June 15, 2022 "Glory Hole" Site Hanna Basin Carbon County, WY Hanna Formation (~57-56 Ma) Deposit: *While amber is found throughout the Hanna Basin, only one site is known to yield large pieces of clear, stable amber: the locality known as "Glory Hole" is located within the north-central section of the Hanna Basin, in south-central Wyoming; exposures are positioned about 8,500 ft. above the base of the Hanna Fm., and at an elevation of roughly 8,900 ft. above sea level. Extensive layers of lignite and carbonaceous (lignitic) mudstone host abundant plant fossils and amber; the matrix is fissile (easily separated into thin layers) and friable (crumbly). Physical weathering (freeze-thaw, wind erosion, thermal expansion, etc.) of the exposures has created an expansive area of disintegrated substrate. This particular site was once a watery paleoenvironment, characterized by shallow swamps. At the very top of the bluff are layers of fissile, light-colored shale referred to as the "Upper Lacustrine Unit" of the Hanna Fm. Amber: *Occurring as small droplets, runs, and globular masses, much of the amber is transparent and of a reddish-orange color throughout, with some containing plentiful internal fractures. The intact, non-fractured amber is very hard, measuring 2.5-3.0 on the Mohs scale, being generally harder than Dominican and Chiapas ambers. It is very fragile and fractures easily, but takes a high, glassy polish like Myanmar amber. Through PyGC-MS, the amber is shown to come from a cupressaceous source tree, and is extremely similar chemically to cretaceous amber from the Raritan Fm. in New Jersey. Of several hundreds of pieces collected by some of the authors, et al., of the cited publication, prepared, and studied at the American Museum of Natural History, only one contained a single insect inclusion: a wingless thrips (1.1mm) that was heavily-compressed and deformed due to geologic forces. From my time at the site, I observed that much of the in-situ amber, especially large pieces, was concentrated within a short horizon only a couple feet in depth. It was especially common near buried, coalified remains of branches and logs, and matrix layers containing numerous leaf remains (mostly cupressaceous). Additionally, I've noticed that some of this material is fairly phosphorescent when exposed to longwave UV light. Minerals and Fossils: While collecting at the site, I noticed several other interesting features besides the amber I sought: carbonized leaves were present in some of the separated matrix layers, petrified wood was present in-situ and eroded from the matrix, and transparent gypsum crystals (some being relatively large) were commonly exposed along the site's surface. Also found in-situ were coalified twigs, branches, logs, and even stumps; I had partially uncovered a few such logs in my shallow excavations (6-12" deep) for amber. I observed a few stumps (~15" diameter) still preserved in an upright position, perpendicular to the matrix layers, with the majority of the lignitic remains buried beneath the surface. Recovered from coarse-grained sandstone originating from above the lignite deposits, was a partial angiosperm leaf imprint with distinct veins. Significance of Hanna Basin Deposits: *Throughout the Hanna Basin, amber is found in various quantities, physical conditions, sizes, and ages: the age range of the ambers' host strata sequence ranges from Late Cretaceous to Late Paleocene (76-56 Ma), an unprecedented range among all the world's known amber deposits. A stratigraphic interval more than 5 miles thick separates the highest and lowest occurrences of amber within the Hanna Basin. Paleocene amber is very rare, with only a handful of significant deposits in the world, notably from the Paris Basin and 5 localities in Switzerland. Source: * "Amber from Upper Cretaceous through Paleocene strata of the Hanna Basin, Wyoming, with evidence for source and taphonomy of fossil resins"; Rocky Mountain Geology, Vol. 35, No. 2, pp. 163-204, December 2000; David A. Grimaldi, Jason A. Lillegraven, Thomas W. Wampler, Denise Bookwalter, and Alexander Shedrinsky

    © Kaegen Lau

  17. Barrelcactusaddict

    VIDEO: Wyoming Amber (Hanna Fm., ~57-56 Ma)

    From the album: Fossil Amber and Copal: Worldwide Localities

    Field Collection: June 12-15, 2022 "Glory Hole" Site Hanna Basin Carbon County, WY Hanna Formation (~57-56 Ma) Deposit: *While amber is found throughout the Hanna Basin, only one site is known to yield large pieces of clear, stable amber: the locality known as "Glory Hole" is located within the north-central section of the Hanna Basin, in south-central Wyoming; exposures are positioned about 8,500 ft. above the base of the Hanna Fm., and at an elevation of roughly 8,900 ft. above sea level. Extensive layers of lignite and carbonaceous (lignitic) mudstone host abundant plant fossils and amber; the matrix is fissile (easily separated into thin layers) and friable (crumbly). Physical weathering (freeze-thaw, wind erosion, thermal expansion, etc.) of the exposures has created an expansive area of disintegrated substrate. This particular site was once a watery paleoenvironment, characterized by shallow swamps. At the very top of the bluff are layers of fissile, light-colored shale referred to as the "Upper Lacustrine Unit" of the Hanna Fm. Amber: *Occurring as small droplets, runs, and globular masses, much of the amber is transparent and of a reddish-orange color throughout, with some containing plentiful internal fractures. The intact, non-fractured amber is very hard, measuring 2.5-3.0 on the Mohs scale, being generally harder than Dominican and Chiapas ambers. It is very fragile and fractures easily, but takes a high, glassy polish like Myanmar amber. Through PyGC-MS, the amber is shown to come from a cupressaceous source tree, and is extremely similar chemically to cretaceous amber from the Raritan Fm. in New Jersey. Of several hundreds of pieces collected by some of the authors, et al., of the cited publication, prepared, and studied at the American Museum of Natural History, only one contained a single insect inclusion: a wingless thrips (1.1mm) that was heavily-compressed and deformed due to geologic forces. From my time at the site, I observed that much of the in-situ amber, especially large pieces, was concentrated within a short horizon only a couple feet in depth. It was especially common near buried, coalified remains of branches and logs, and matrix layers containing numerous leaf remains (mostly cupressaceous). Additionally, I've noticed that some of this material is fairly phosphorescent when exposed to longwave UV light. Minerals and Fossils: While collecting at the site, I noticed several other interesting features besides the amber I sought: carbonized leaves were present in some of the separated matrix layers, petrified wood was present in-situ and eroded from the matrix, and transparent gypsum crystals (some being relatively large) were commonly exposed along the site's surface. Also found in-situ were coalified twigs, branches, logs, and even stumps; I had partially uncovered a few such logs in my shallow excavations (6-12" deep) for amber. I observed a few stumps (~15" diameter) still preserved in an upright position, perpendicular to the matrix layers, with the majority of the lignitic remains buried beneath the surface. Recovered from coarse-grained sandstone originating from above the lignite deposits, was a partial angiosperm leaf imprint with distinct veins. Significance of Hanna Basin Deposits: *Throughout the Hanna Basin, amber is found in various quantities, physical conditions, sizes, and ages: the age range of the ambers' host strata sequence ranges from Late Cretaceous to Late Paleocene (76-56 Ma), an unprecedented range among all the world's known amber deposits. A stratigraphic interval more than 5 miles thick separates the highest and lowest occurrences of amber within the Hanna Basin. Paleocene amber is very rare, with only a handful of significant deposits in the world, notably from the Paris Basin and 5 localities in Switzerland. Source: * "Amber from Upper Cretaceous through Paleocene strata of the Hanna Basin, Wyoming, with evidence for source and taphonomy of fossil resins"; Rocky Mountain Geology, Vol. 35, No. 2, pp. 163-204, December 2000; David A. Grimaldi, Jason A. Lillegraven, Thomas W. Wampler, Denise Bookwalter, and Alexander Shedrinsky

    © Kaegen Lau

  18. Barrelcactusaddict

    VIDEO: Wyoming Amber (Hanna Fm., ~57-56 Ma)

    From the album: Fossil Amber and Copal: Worldwide Localities

    Field Collection: June 12-15, 2022 432.5g of amber recovered; lot is initially displaying fluorescence under longwave ultraviolet light (365nm). "Glory Hole" Site Hanna Basin Carbon County, WY Hanna Formation (~57-56 Ma) Deposit: *While amber is found throughout the Hanna Basin, only one site is known to yield large pieces of clear, stable amber: the locality known as "Glory Hole" is located within the north-central section of the Hanna Basin, in south-central Wyoming; exposures are positioned about 8,500 ft. above the base of the Hanna Fm., and at an elevation of roughly 8,900 ft. above sea level. Extensive layers of lignite and carbonaceous (lignitic) mudstone host abundant plant fossils and amber; the matrix is fissile (easily separated into thin layers) and friable (crumbly). Physical weathering (freeze-thaw, wind erosion, thermal expansion, etc.) of the exposures has created an expansive area of disintegrated substrate. This particular site was once a watery paleoenvironment, characterized by shallow swamps. At the very top of the bluff are layers of fissile, light-colored shale referred to as the "Upper Lacustrine Unit" of the Hanna Fm. Amber: *Occurring as small droplets, runs, and globular masses, much of the amber is transparent and of a reddish-orange color throughout, with some containing plentiful internal fractures. The intact, non-fractured amber is very hard, measuring 2.5-3.0 on the Mohs scale, being generally harder than Dominican and Chiapas ambers. It is very fragile and fractures easily, but takes a high, glassy polish like Myanmar amber. Through PyGC-MS, the amber is shown to come from a cupressaceous source tree, and is extremely similar chemically to cretaceous amber from the Raritan Fm. in New Jersey. Of several hundreds of pieces collected by some of the authors, et al., of the cited publication, prepared, and studied at the American Museum of Natural History, only one contained a single insect inclusion: a wingless thrips (1.1mm) that was heavily-compressed and deformed due to geologic forces. From my time at the site, I observed that much of the in-situ amber, especially large pieces, was concentrated within a short horizon only a couple feet in depth. It was especially common near buried, coalified remains of branches and logs, and matrix layers containing numerous leaf remains (mostly cupressaceous). Additionally, I've noticed that some of this material is fairly phosphorescent when exposed to longwave UV light. Minerals and Fossils: While collecting at the site, I noticed several other interesting features besides the amber I sought: carbonized leaves were present in some of the separated matrix layers, petrified wood was present in-situ and eroded from the matrix, and transparent gypsum crystals (some being relatively large) were commonly exposed along the site's surface. Also found in-situ were coalified twigs, branches, logs, and even stumps; I had partially uncovered a few such logs in my shallow excavations (6-12" deep) for amber. I observed a few stumps (~15" diameter) still preserved in an upright position, perpendicular to the matrix layers, with the majority of the lignitic remains buried beneath the surface. Recovered from coarse-grained sandstone originating from above the lignite deposits, was a partial angiosperm leaf imprint with distinct veins. Significance of Hanna Basin Deposits: *Throughout the Hanna Basin, amber is found in various quantities, physical conditions, sizes, and ages: the age range of the ambers' host strata sequence ranges from Late Cretaceous to Late Paleocene (76-56 Ma), an unprecedented range among all the world's known amber deposits. A stratigraphic interval more than 5 miles thick separates the highest and lowest occurrences of amber within the Hanna Basin. Paleocene amber is very rare, with only a handful of significant deposits in the world, notably from the Paris Basin and 5 localities in Switzerland. Source: * "Amber from Upper Cretaceous through Paleocene strata of the Hanna Basin, Wyoming, with evidence for source and taphonomy of fossil resins"; Rocky Mountain Geology, Vol. 35, No. 2, pp. 163-204, December 2000; David A. Grimaldi, Jason A. Lillegraven, Thomas W. Wampler, Denise Bookwalter, and Alexander Shedrinsky

    © Kaegen Lau

  19. Barrelcactusaddict

    VIDEO: Wyoming Amber (Hanna Fm., ~57-56 Ma)

    From the album: Fossil Amber and Copal: Worldwide Localities

    Field Collection: June 12-15, 2022 "Glory Hole" Site Hanna Basin Carbon County, WY Hanna Formation (~57-56 Ma) Deposit: *While amber is found throughout the Hanna Basin, only one site is known to yield large pieces of clear, stable amber: the locality known as "Glory Hole" is located within the north-central section of the Hanna Basin, in south-central Wyoming; exposures are positioned about 8,500 ft. above the base of the Hanna Fm., and at an elevation of roughly 8,900 ft. above sea level. Extensive layers of lignite and carbonaceous (lignitic) mudstone host abundant plant fossils and amber; the matrix is fissile (easily separated into thin layers) and friable (crumbly). Physical weathering (freeze-thaw, wind erosion, thermal expansion, etc.) of the exposures has created an expansive area of disintegrated substrate. This particular site was once a watery paleoenvironment, characterized by shallow swamps. At the very top of the bluff are layers of fissile, light-colored shale referred to as the "Upper Lacustrine Unit" of the Hanna Fm. Amber: *Occurring as small droplets, runs, and globular masses, much of the amber is transparent and of a reddish-orange color throughout, with some containing plentiful internal fractures. The intact, non-fractured amber is very hard, measuring 2.5-3.0 on the Mohs scale, being generally harder than Dominican and Chiapas ambers. It is very fragile and fractures easily, but takes a high, glassy polish like Myanmar amber. Through PyGC-MS, the amber is shown to come from a cupressaceous source tree, and is extremely similar chemically to cretaceous amber from the Raritan Fm. in New Jersey. Of several hundreds of pieces collected by some of the authors, et al., of the cited publication, prepared, and studied at the American Museum of Natural History, only one contained a single insect inclusion: a wingless thrips (1.1mm) that was heavily-compressed and deformed due to geologic forces. From my time at the site, I observed that much of the in-situ amber, especially large pieces, was concentrated within a short horizon only a couple feet in depth. It was especially common near buried, coalified remains of branches and logs, and matrix layers containing numerous leaf remains (mostly cupressaceous). Additionally, I've noticed that some of this material is fairly phosphorescent when exposed to longwave UV light. Minerals and Fossils: While collecting at the site, I noticed several other interesting features besides the amber I sought: carbonized leaves were present in some of the separated matrix layers, petrified wood was present in-situ and eroded from the matrix, and transparent gypsum crystals (some being relatively large) were commonly exposed along the site's surface. Also found in-situ were coalified twigs, branches, logs, and even stumps; I had partially uncovered a few such logs in my shallow excavations (6-12" deep) for amber. I observed a few stumps (~15" diameter) still preserved in an upright position, perpendicular to the matrix layers, with the majority of the lignitic remains buried beneath the surface. Recovered from coarse-grained sandstone originating from above the lignite deposits, was a partial angiosperm leaf imprint with distinct veins. Significance of Hanna Basin Deposits: *Throughout the Hanna Basin, amber is found in various quantities, physical conditions, sizes, and ages: the age range of the ambers' host strata sequence ranges from Late Cretaceous to Late Paleocene (76-56 Ma), an unprecedented range among all the world's known amber deposits. A stratigraphic interval more than 5 miles thick separates the highest and lowest occurrences of amber within the Hanna Basin. Paleocene amber is very rare, with only a handful of significant deposits in the world, notably from the Paris Basin and 5 localities in Switzerland. Source: * "Amber from Upper Cretaceous through Paleocene strata of the Hanna Basin, Wyoming, with evidence for source and taphonomy of fossil resins"; Rocky Mountain Geology, Vol. 35, No. 2, pp. 163-204, December 2000; David A. Grimaldi, Jason A. Lillegraven, Thomas W. Wampler, Denise Bookwalter, and Alexander Shedrinsky

    © Kaegen Lau

  20. From the album: Fossil Amber and Copal: Worldwide Localities

    Field Collection: June 12-15, 2022 "Glory Hole" Site Hanna Basin Carbon County, WY Hanna Formation (~57-56 Ma) Deposit: *While amber is found throughout the Hanna Basin, only one site is known to yield large pieces of clear, stable amber: the locality known as "Glory Hole" is located within the north-central section of the Hanna Basin, in south-central Wyoming; exposures are positioned about 8,500 ft. above the base of the Hanna Fm., and at an elevation of roughly 8,900 ft. above sea level. Extensive layers of lignite and carbonaceous (lignitic) mudstone host abundant plant fossils and amber; the matrix is fissile (easily separated into thin layers) and friable (crumbly). Physical weathering (freeze-thaw, wind erosion, thermal expansion, etc.) of the exposures has created an expansive area of disintegrated substrate. This particular site was once a watery paleoenvironment, characterized by shallow swamps. At the very top of the bluff are layers of fissile, light-colored shale referred to as the "Upper Lacustrine Unit" of the Hanna Fm. Amber: *Occurring as small droplets, runs, and globular masses, much of the amber is transparent and of a reddish-orange color throughout, with some containing plentiful internal fractures. The intact, non-fractured amber is very hard, measuring 2.5-3.0 on the Mohs scale, being generally harder than Dominican and Chiapas ambers. It is very fragile and fractures easily, but takes a high, glassy polish like Myanmar amber. Through PyGC-MS, the amber is shown to come from a cupressaceous source tree, and is extremely similar chemically to cretaceous amber from the Raritan Fm. in New Jersey. Of several hundreds of pieces collected by some of the authors, et al., of the cited publication, prepared, and studied at the American Museum of Natural History, only one contained a single insect inclusion: a wingless thrips (1.1mm) that was heavily-compressed and deformed due to geologic forces. From my time at the site, I observed that much of the in-situ amber, especially large pieces, was concentrated within a short horizon only a couple feet in depth. It was especially common near buried, coalified remains of branches and logs, and matrix layers containing numerous leaf remains (mostly cupressaceous). Additionally, I've noticed that some of this material is fairly phosphorescent when exposed to longwave UV light. Minerals and Fossils: While collecting at the site, I noticed several other interesting features besides the amber I sought: carbonized leaves were present in some of the separated matrix layers, petrified wood was present in-situ and eroded from the matrix, and transparent gypsum crystals (some being relatively large) were commonly exposed along the site's surface. Also found in-situ were coalified twigs, branches, logs, and even stumps; I had partially uncovered a few such logs in my shallow excavations (6-12" deep) for amber. I observed a few stumps (~15" diameter) still preserved in an upright position, perpendicular to the matrix layers, with the majority of the lignitic remains buried beneath the surface. Recovered from coarse-grained sandstone originating from above the lignite deposits, was a partial angiosperm leaf imprint with distinct veins. Significance of Hanna Basin Deposits: *Throughout the Hanna Basin, amber is found in various quantities, physical conditions, sizes, and ages: the age range of the ambers' host strata sequence ranges from Late Cretaceous to Late Paleocene (76-56 Ma), an unprecedented range among all the world's known amber deposits. A stratigraphic interval more than 5 miles thick separates the highest and lowest occurrences of amber within the Hanna Basin. Paleocene amber is very rare, with only a handful of significant deposits in the world, notably from the Paris Basin and 5 localities in Switzerland. Source: * "Amber from Upper Cretaceous through Paleocene strata of the Hanna Basin, Wyoming, with evidence for source and taphonomy of fossil resins"; Rocky Mountain Geology, Vol. 35, No. 2, pp. 163-204, December 2000; David A. Grimaldi, Jason A. Lillegraven, Thomas W. Wampler, Denise Bookwalter, and Alexander Shedrinsky

    © Kaegen Lau

  21. From the album: Fossil Amber and Copal: Worldwide Localities

    Field Collection: June 12-15, 2022 "Glory Hole" Site Hanna Basin Carbon County, WY Hanna Formation (~57-56 Ma) Deposit: *While amber is found throughout the Hanna Basin, only one site is known to yield large pieces of clear, stable amber: the locality known as "Glory Hole" is located within the north-central section of the Hanna Basin, in south-central Wyoming; exposures are positioned about 8,500 ft. above the base of the Hanna Fm., and at an elevation of roughly 8,900 ft. above sea level. Extensive layers of lignite and carbonaceous (lignitic) mudstone host abundant plant fossils and amber; the matrix is fissile (easily separated into thin layers) and friable (crumbly). Physical weathering (freeze-thaw, wind erosion, thermal expansion, etc.) of the exposures has created an expansive area of disintegrated substrate. This particular site was once a watery paleoenvironment, characterized by shallow swamps. At the very top of the bluff are layers of fissile, light-colored shale referred to as the "Upper Lacustrine Unit" of the Hanna Fm. Amber: *Occurring as small droplets, runs, and globular masses, much of the amber is transparent and of a reddish-orange color throughout, with some containing plentiful internal fractures. The intact, non-fractured amber is very hard, measuring 2.5-3.0 on the Mohs scale, being generally harder than Dominican and Chiapas ambers. It is very fragile and fractures easily, but takes a high, glassy polish like Myanmar amber. Through PyGC-MS, the amber is shown to come from a cupressaceous source tree, and is extremely similar chemically to cretaceous amber from the Raritan Fm. in New Jersey. Of several hundreds of pieces collected by some of the authors, et al., of the cited publication, prepared, and studied at the American Museum of Natural History, only one contained a single insect inclusion: a wingless thrips (1.1mm) that was heavily-compressed and deformed due to geologic forces. From my time at the site, I observed that much of the in-situ amber, especially large pieces, was concentrated within a short horizon only a couple feet in depth. It was especially common near buried, coalified remains of branches and logs, and matrix layers containing numerous leaf remains (mostly cupressaceous). Additionally, I've noticed that some of this material is fairly phosphorescent when exposed to longwave UV light. Minerals and Fossils: While collecting at the site, I noticed several other interesting features besides the amber I sought: carbonized leaves were present in some of the separated matrix layers, petrified wood was present in-situ and eroded from the matrix, and transparent gypsum crystals (some being relatively large) were commonly exposed along the site's surface. Also found in-situ were coalified twigs, branches, logs, and even stumps; I had partially uncovered a few such logs in my shallow excavations (6-12" deep) for amber. I observed a few stumps (~15" diameter) still preserved in an upright position, perpendicular to the matrix layers, with the majority of the lignitic remains buried beneath the surface. Recovered from coarse-grained sandstone originating from above the lignite deposits, was a partial angiosperm leaf imprint with distinct veins. Significance of Hanna Basin Deposits: *Throughout the Hanna Basin, amber is found in various quantities, physical conditions, sizes, and ages: the age range of the ambers' host strata sequence ranges from Late Cretaceous to Late Paleocene (76-56 Ma), an unprecedented range among all the world's known amber deposits. A stratigraphic interval more than 5 miles thick separates the highest and lowest occurrences of amber within the Hanna Basin. Paleocene amber is very rare, with only a handful of significant deposits in the world, notably from the Paris Basin and 5 localities in Switzerland. Source: * "Amber from Upper Cretaceous through Paleocene strata of the Hanna Basin, Wyoming, with evidence for source and taphonomy of fossil resins"; Rocky Mountain Geology, Vol. 35, No. 2, pp. 163-204, December 2000; David A. Grimaldi, Jason A. Lillegraven, Thomas W. Wampler, Denise Bookwalter, and Alexander Shedrinsky

    © Kaegen Lau

  22. Barrelcactusaddict

    Wyoming Amber in Matrix (Hanna Fm., ~57-56 Ma)

    From the album: Fossil Amber and Copal: Worldwide Localities

    Field Collection: June 12-15, 2022 "Glory Hole" Site Hanna Basin Carbon County, WY Hanna Formation (~57-56 Ma) Deposit: *While amber is found throughout the Hanna Basin, only one site is known to yield large pieces of clear, stable amber: the locality known as "Glory Hole" is located within the north-central section of the Hanna Basin, in south-central Wyoming; exposures are positioned about 8,500 ft. above the base of the Hanna Fm., and at an elevation of roughly 8,900 ft. above sea level. Extensive layers of lignite and carbonaceous (lignitic) mudstone host abundant plant fossils and amber; the matrix is fissile (easily separated into thin layers) and friable (crumbly). Physical weathering (freeze-thaw, wind erosion, thermal expansion, etc.) of the exposures has created an expansive area of disintegrated substrate. This particular site was once a watery paleoenvironment, characterized by shallow swamps. At the very top of the bluff are layers of fissile, light-colored shale referred to as the "Upper Lacustrine Unit" of the Hanna Fm. Amber: *Occurring as small droplets, runs, and globular masses, much of the amber is transparent and of a reddish-orange color throughout, with some containing plentiful internal fractures. The intact, non-fractured amber is very hard, measuring 2.5-3.0 on the Mohs scale, being generally harder than Dominican and Chiapas ambers. It is very fragile and fractures easily, but takes a high, glassy polish like Myanmar amber. Through PyGC-MS, the amber is shown to come from a cupressaceous source tree, and is extremely similar chemically to cretaceous amber from the Raritan Fm. in New Jersey. Of several hundreds of pieces collected by some of the authors, et al., of the cited publication, prepared, and studied at the American Museum of Natural History, only one contained a single insect inclusion: a wingless thrips (1.1mm) that was heavily-compressed and deformed due to geologic forces. From my time at the site, I observed that much of the in-situ amber, especially large pieces, was concentrated within a short horizon only a couple feet in depth. It was especially common near buried, coalified remains of branches and logs, and matrix layers containing numerous leaf remains (mostly cupressaceous). Additionally, I've noticed that some of this material is fairly phosphorescent when exposed to longwave UV light. Minerals and Fossils: While collecting at the site, I noticed several other interesting features besides the amber I sought: carbonized leaves were present in some of the separated matrix layers, petrified wood was present in-situ and eroded from the matrix, and transparent gypsum crystals (some being relatively large) were commonly exposed along the site's surface. Also found in-situ were coalified twigs, branches, logs, and even stumps; I had partially uncovered a few such logs in my shallow excavations (6-12" deep) for amber. I observed a few stumps (~15" diameter) still preserved in an upright position, perpendicular to the matrix layers, with the majority of the lignitic remains buried beneath the surface. Recovered from coarse-grained sandstone originating from above the lignite deposits, was a partial angiosperm leaf imprint with distinct veins. Significance of Hanna Basin Deposits: *Throughout the Hanna Basin, amber is found in various quantities, physical conditions, sizes, and ages: the age range of the ambers' host strata sequence ranges from Late Cretaceous to Late Paleocene (76-56 Ma), an unprecedented range among all the world's known amber deposits. A stratigraphic interval more than 5 miles thick separates the highest and lowest occurrences of amber within the Hanna Basin. Paleocene amber is very rare, with only a handful of significant deposits in the world, notably from the Paris Basin and 5 localities in Switzerland. Source: * "Amber from Upper Cretaceous through Paleocene strata of the Hanna Basin, Wyoming, with evidence for source and taphonomy of fossil resins"; Rocky Mountain Geology, Vol. 35, No. 2, pp. 163-204, December 2000; David A. Grimaldi, Jason A. Lillegraven, Thomas W. Wampler, Denise Bookwalter, and Alexander Shedrinsky

    © Kaegen Lau

  23. Barrelcactusaddict

    Wyoming Amber in Matrix (Hanna Fm., ~57-56 Ma)

    From the album: Fossil Amber and Copal: Worldwide Localities

    Field Collection: June 12-15, 2022 "Glory Hole" Site Hanna Basin Carbon County, WY Hanna Formation (~57-56 Ma) Deposit: *While amber is found throughout the Hanna Basin, only one site is known to yield large pieces of clear, stable amber: the locality known as "Glory Hole" is located within the north-central section of the Hanna Basin, in south-central Wyoming; exposures are positioned about 8,500 ft. above the base of the Hanna Fm., and at an elevation of roughly 8,900 ft. above sea level. Extensive layers of lignite and carbonaceous (lignitic) mudstone host abundant plant fossils and amber; the matrix is fissile (easily separated into thin layers) and friable (crumbly). Physical weathering (freeze-thaw, wind erosion, thermal expansion, etc.) of the exposures has created an expansive area of disintegrated substrate. This particular site was once a watery paleoenvironment, characterized by shallow swamps. At the very top of the bluff are layers of fissile, light-colored shale referred to as the "Upper Lacustrine Unit" of the Hanna Fm. Amber: *Occurring as small droplets, runs, and globular masses, much of the amber is transparent and of a reddish-orange color throughout, with some containing plentiful internal fractures. The intact, non-fractured amber is very hard, measuring 2.5-3.0 on the Mohs scale, being generally harder than Dominican and Chiapas ambers. It is very fragile and fractures easily, but takes a high, glassy polish like Myanmar amber. Through PyGC-MS, the amber is shown to come from a cupressaceous source tree, and is extremely similar chemically to cretaceous amber from the Raritan Fm. in New Jersey. Of several hundreds of pieces collected by some of the authors, et al., of the cited publication, prepared, and studied at the American Museum of Natural History, only one contained a single insect inclusion: a wingless thrips (1.1mm) that was heavily-compressed and deformed due to geologic forces. From my time at the site, I observed that much of the in-situ amber, especially large pieces, was concentrated within a short horizon only a couple feet in depth. It was especially common near buried, coalified remains of branches and logs, and matrix layers containing numerous leaf remains (mostly cupressaceous). Additionally, I've noticed that some of this material is fairly phosphorescent when exposed to longwave UV light. Minerals and Fossils: While collecting at the site, I noticed several other interesting features besides the amber I sought: carbonized leaves were present in some of the separated matrix layers, petrified wood was present in-situ and eroded from the matrix, and transparent gypsum crystals (some being relatively large) were commonly exposed along the site's surface. Also found in-situ were coalified twigs, branches, logs, and even stumps; I had partially uncovered a few such logs in my shallow excavations (6-12" deep) for amber. I observed a few stumps (~15" diameter) still preserved in an upright position, perpendicular to the matrix layers, with the majority of the lignitic remains buried beneath the surface. Recovered from coarse-grained sandstone originating from above the lignite deposits, was a partial angiosperm leaf imprint with distinct veins. Significance of Hanna Basin Deposits: *Throughout the Hanna Basin, amber is found in various quantities, physical conditions, sizes, and ages: the age range of the ambers' host strata sequence ranges from Late Cretaceous to Late Paleocene (76-56 Ma), an unprecedented range among all the world's known amber deposits. A stratigraphic interval more than 5 miles thick separates the highest and lowest occurrences of amber within the Hanna Basin. Paleocene amber is very rare, with only a handful of significant deposits in the world, notably from the Paris Basin and 5 localities in Switzerland. Source: * "Amber from Upper Cretaceous through Paleocene strata of the Hanna Basin, Wyoming, with evidence for source and taphonomy of fossil resins"; Rocky Mountain Geology, Vol. 35, No. 2, pp. 163-204, December 2000; David A. Grimaldi, Jason A. Lillegraven, Thomas W. Wampler, Denise Bookwalter, and Alexander Shedrinsky

    © Kaegen Lau

  24. Barrelcactusaddict

    Wyoming Amber in Matrix (Hanna Fm., ~57-56 Ma)

    From the album: Fossil Amber and Copal: Worldwide Localities

    Field Collection: June 12-15, 2022 "Glory Hole" Site Hanna Basin Carbon County, WY Hanna Formation (~57-56 Ma) Deposit: *While amber is found throughout the Hanna Basin, only one site is known to yield large pieces of clear, stable amber: the locality known as "Glory Hole" is located within the north-central section of the Hanna Basin, in south-central Wyoming; exposures are positioned about 8,500 ft. above the base of the Hanna Fm., and at an elevation of roughly 8,900 ft. above sea level. Extensive layers of lignite and carbonaceous (lignitic) mudstone host abundant plant fossils and amber; the matrix is fissile (easily separated into thin layers) and friable (crumbly). Physical weathering (freeze-thaw, wind erosion, thermal expansion, etc.) of the exposures has created an expansive area of disintegrated substrate. This particular site was once a watery paleoenvironment, characterized by shallow swamps. At the very top of the bluff are layers of fissile, light-colored shale referred to as the "Upper Lacustrine Unit" of the Hanna Fm. Amber: *Occurring as small droplets, runs, and globular masses, much of the amber is transparent and of a reddish-orange color throughout, with some containing plentiful internal fractures. The intact, non-fractured amber is very hard, measuring 2.5-3.0 on the Mohs scale, being generally harder than Dominican and Chiapas ambers. It is very fragile and fractures easily, but takes a high, glassy polish like Myanmar amber. Through PyGC-MS, the amber is shown to come from a cupressaceous source tree, and is extremely similar chemically to cretaceous amber from the Raritan Fm. in New Jersey. Of several hundreds of pieces collected by some of the authors, et al., of the cited publication, prepared, and studied at the American Museum of Natural History, only one contained a single insect inclusion: a wingless thrips (1.1mm) that was heavily-compressed and deformed due to geologic forces. From my time at the site, I observed that much of the in-situ amber, especially large pieces, was concentrated within a short horizon only a couple feet in depth. It was especially common near buried, coalified remains of branches and logs, and matrix layers containing numerous leaf remains (mostly cupressaceous). Additionally, I've noticed that some of this material is fairly phosphorescent when exposed to longwave UV light. Minerals and Fossils: While collecting at the site, I noticed several other interesting features besides the amber I sought: carbonized leaves were present in some of the separated matrix layers, petrified wood was present in-situ and eroded from the matrix, and transparent gypsum crystals (some being relatively large) were commonly exposed along the site's surface. Also found in-situ were coalified twigs, branches, logs, and even stumps; I had partially uncovered a few such logs in my shallow excavations (6-12" deep) for amber. I observed a few stumps (~15" diameter) still preserved in an upright position, perpendicular to the matrix layers, with the majority of the lignitic remains buried beneath the surface. Recovered from coarse-grained sandstone originating from above the lignite deposits, was a partial angiosperm leaf imprint with distinct veins. Significance of Hanna Basin Deposits: *Throughout the Hanna Basin, amber is found in various quantities, physical conditions, sizes, and ages: the age range of the ambers' host strata sequence ranges from Late Cretaceous to Late Paleocene (76-56 Ma), an unprecedented range among all the world's known amber deposits. A stratigraphic interval more than 5 miles thick separates the highest and lowest occurrences of amber within the Hanna Basin. Paleocene amber is very rare, with only a handful of significant deposits in the world, notably from the Paris Basin and 5 localities in Switzerland. Source: * "Amber from Upper Cretaceous through Paleocene strata of the Hanna Basin, Wyoming, with evidence for source and taphonomy of fossil resins"; Rocky Mountain Geology, Vol. 35, No. 2, pp. 163-204, December 2000; David A. Grimaldi, Jason A. Lillegraven, Thomas W. Wampler, Denise Bookwalter, and Alexander Shedrinsky

    © Kaegen Lau

  25. Barrelcactusaddict

    Wyoming Amber in Matrix (Hanna Fm., ~57-56 Ma)

    From the album: Fossil Amber and Copal: Worldwide Localities

    Field Collection: June 12-15, 2022 "Glory Hole" Site Hanna Basin Carbon County, WY Hanna Formation (~57-56 Ma) Deposit: *While amber is found throughout the Hanna Basin, only one site is known to yield large pieces of clear, stable amber: the locality known as "Glory Hole" is located within the north-central section of the Hanna Basin, in south-central Wyoming; exposures are positioned about 8,500 ft. above the base of the Hanna Fm., and at an elevation of roughly 8,900 ft. above sea level. Extensive layers of lignite and carbonaceous (lignitic) mudstone host abundant plant fossils and amber; the matrix is fissile (easily separated into thin layers) and friable (crumbly). Physical weathering (freeze-thaw, wind erosion, thermal expansion, etc.) of the exposures has created an expansive area of disintegrated substrate. This particular site was once a watery paleoenvironment, characterized by shallow swamps. At the very top of the bluff are layers of fissile, light-colored shale referred to as the "Upper Lacustrine Unit" of the Hanna Fm. Amber: *Occurring as small droplets, runs, and globular masses, much of the amber is transparent and of a reddish-orange color throughout, with some containing plentiful internal fractures. The intact, non-fractured amber is very hard, measuring 2.5-3.0 on the Mohs scale, being generally harder than Dominican and Chiapas ambers. It is very fragile and fractures easily, but takes a high, glassy polish like Myanmar amber. Through PyGC-MS, the amber is shown to come from a cupressaceous source tree, and is extremely similar chemically to cretaceous amber from the Raritan Fm. in New Jersey. Of several hundreds of pieces collected by some of the authors, et al., of the cited publication, prepared, and studied at the American Museum of Natural History, only one contained a single insect inclusion: a wingless thrips (1.1mm) that was heavily-compressed and deformed due to geologic forces. From my time at the site, I observed that much of the in-situ amber, especially large pieces, was concentrated within a short horizon only a couple feet in depth. It was especially common near buried, coalified remains of branches and logs, and matrix layers containing numerous leaf remains (mostly cupressaceous). Additionally, I've noticed that some of this material is fairly phosphorescent when exposed to longwave UV light. Minerals and Fossils: While collecting at the site, I noticed several other interesting features besides the amber I sought: carbonized leaves were present in some of the separated matrix layers, petrified wood was present in-situ and eroded from the matrix, and transparent gypsum crystals (some being relatively large) were commonly exposed along the site's surface. Also found in-situ were coalified twigs, branches, logs, and even stumps; I had partially uncovered a few such logs in my shallow excavations (6-12" deep) for amber. I observed a few stumps (~15" diameter) still preserved in an upright position, perpendicular to the matrix layers, with the majority of the lignitic remains buried beneath the surface. Recovered from coarse-grained sandstone originating from above the lignite deposits, was a partial angiosperm leaf imprint with distinct veins. Significance of Hanna Basin Deposits: *Throughout the Hanna Basin, amber is found in various quantities, physical conditions, sizes, and ages: the age range of the ambers' host strata sequence ranges from Late Cretaceous to Late Paleocene (76-56 Ma), an unprecedented range among all the world's known amber deposits. A stratigraphic interval more than 5 miles thick separates the highest and lowest occurrences of amber within the Hanna Basin. Paleocene amber is very rare, with only a handful of significant deposits in the world, notably from the Paris Basin and 5 localities in Switzerland. Source: * "Amber from Upper Cretaceous through Paleocene strata of the Hanna Basin, Wyoming, with evidence for source and taphonomy of fossil resins"; Rocky Mountain Geology, Vol. 35, No. 2, pp. 163-204, December 2000; David A. Grimaldi, Jason A. Lillegraven, Thomas W. Wampler, Denise Bookwalter, and Alexander Shedrinsky

    © Kaegen Lau

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