Drivertyler Posted December 5, 2020 Share Posted December 5, 2020 I've reached out to the state geological survey and a couple gem clubs without luck but need help in identifying this rock. Any help would be great. The rock is much lighter than it looks and seems to be fairly fragile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drivertyler Posted December 5, 2020 Author Share Posted December 5, 2020 This was found on a gravel bar in the Missouri River south of Sioux City. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas.Dodson Posted December 5, 2020 Share Posted December 5, 2020 It is a little hard to tell from the pictures but it is as fragile and light as you say my guess is coal. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Kmiecik Posted December 5, 2020 Share Posted December 5, 2020 It does resemble water-worn coal. Try chipping off a small piece and test if burning turns it to ash. 2 Mark. Fossil hunting is easy -- they don't run away when you shoot at them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drivertyler Posted December 5, 2020 Author Share Posted December 5, 2020 Thank you! It definitely smolders and smells awful when lit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drivertyler Posted December 5, 2020 Author Share Posted December 5, 2020 Is this a fairly common find of this size? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas.Dodson Posted December 6, 2020 Share Posted December 6, 2020 I wouldn't call it an unusual find. In areas that have been coal mined in the past I often find chunks of coal in the rivers up to the size of a 5 gallon bucket. Sometimes there's enough distinct plant material to make me save a piece. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drivertyler Posted December 6, 2020 Author Share Posted December 6, 2020 13 hours ago, Thomas.Dodson said: I wouldn't call it an unusual find. In areas that have been coal mined in the past I often find chunks of coal in the rivers up to the size of a 5 gallon bucket. Sometimes there's enough distinct plant material to make me save a piece. I appreciate the input. All the time i spend on the river and I have never found anything like this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Kmiecik Posted December 6, 2020 Share Posted December 6, 2020 7 hours ago, Drivertyler said: I appreciate the input. All the time i spend on the river and I have never found anything like this. Coal is a common material, so you can crack it open with little concern. There may be a plant, or very rarely an insect or other fossil organism inside. But most of the time there's nothing. There are exceptions in certain areas and strata, but usually it's zip. 1 Mark. Fossil hunting is easy -- they don't run away when you shoot at them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drivertyler Posted December 7, 2020 Author Share Posted December 7, 2020 18 hours ago, Mark Kmiecik said: Coal is a common material, so you can crack it open with little concern. There may be a plant, or very rarely an insect or other fossil organism inside. But most of the time there's nothing. There are exceptions in certain areas and strata, but usually it's zip. Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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