historianmichael Posted December 26, 2020 Share Posted December 26, 2020 Last month I made my last trip for the year into Pennsylvania. I was hoping to stop at Swope Quarry in Mapleton, but the site is now posted. With a quick change of plans, I decided to travel even further west and visit some Late Pennsylvanian marine sites that I had planning on visiting on a different trip. The two sites I visited expose the Brush Creek Marine Zone, Glenshaw Formation, Conemaugh Group. They date to the Late Pennsylvanian (Missourian). Fossil collecting at these sites was a lot of fun as the fossils just pop right out of the surrounding shale and can be picked up by hand. But they are very fragile! I felt like Dr. Frankenstein putting some of the fossils back together. I always wanted to add a Worthenia gastropod to my collection so I was really excited to add a couple at one of the sites. By the time I made it to the second site the sun was already going down and I had a long drive home. I ended up bringing back a big block to break down, and I was astonished to find a Metacoceras fragment in it. I apologize in advance for some of the photos. As some may know, the gastropods of the Glenshaw Formation tend to be very small and dark, so it is challenging to photograph them. I used my new digital microscope on some of them. I hope you enjoy! I tried very hard to find a correct identification for everything. If you have a different identification, please let me know. Cephalopods Metacoceras sp. Pseudorthoceras knoxense Brachiopod Neospirifer triplicatus Bivalves Astartella concentrica Solenomya trapezoides Edmondia sp. Edmondia aspenwallensis Coral Stereostylus sp. Trace Worm Burrow Gastropods Worthenia tabulata Strobeus primigenius Euphemites vittatus 12 Follow me on Instagram (@fossil_mike) to check out my personal collection of fossils collected and acquired over more than 15 years of fossil hunting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
historianmichael Posted December 26, 2020 Author Share Posted December 26, 2020 Pharkidonotus percarinatus Straparollus (Amphiscapha) catilloides Meekospira percuta Cymatospira montfortianus Glabrocingulum grayvillense Trepospira depressa Last, but certainly not least, Shansiella carbonaria. This is perhaps the smallest gastropod in my collection. It is the size of a pin head. It is tough to see by the naked eye, but once I put it under the microscope, it looks awesome! 10 Follow me on Instagram (@fossil_mike) to check out my personal collection of fossils collected and acquired over more than 15 years of fossil hunting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffrey P Posted December 26, 2020 Share Posted December 26, 2020 Western Pennsylvania's late Pennsylvanian marine fauna I find very intriguing and you've collected some fine examples there. Those Worthenia gastropods are especially impressive. Congratulations and thanks for sharing your good fortune. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fossilnut Posted December 26, 2020 Share Posted December 26, 2020 @historianmichaelWhat an abundant variety of fossils. I grew up in PA and went fishing with my father to Brush Creek. That was before I knew about fossils. Have you ever collected in the Vanport Limestone? Later I did collect fossils in that marine limestone but I no longer have any of that material. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
historianmichael Posted December 26, 2020 Author Share Posted December 26, 2020 @Jeffrey P Thank you! I too have always been intrigued by the marine fauna of the Late Pennsylvanian Conemaugh Group. I was fortunate enough to visit two sites in the Ames Marine Zone on a separate trip- one in West Virginia and one in Western PA. I hope to visit some others soon with a multi-day trip to the Pittsburgh area in the new year. @fossilnut That's awesome. I unfortunately have not. I read about a couple of sites, but they are no longer accessible. I am aware of one possible exposure in Venango County, but I haven't ventured all the way out there yet. Follow me on Instagram (@fossil_mike) to check out my personal collection of fossils collected and acquired over more than 15 years of fossil hunting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FossilNerd Posted December 27, 2020 Share Posted December 27, 2020 I agree with JeffreyP. Love the Worthenia Gastropods! The other finds are great as well. Thanks for sharing! 1 The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. -Neil deGrasse Tyson Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don't. -Bill Nye (The Science Guy) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petalodus12 Posted December 27, 2020 Share Posted December 27, 2020 Awesome finds! The brush creek is such a productive and diverse layer 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monica Posted December 27, 2020 Share Posted December 27, 2020 What an awesome array of fossils!!! I think my favourites are the Astartella concentrica bivalves and the Worthenia tabulata gastropods 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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