Doggeek Posted May 9, 2021 Share Posted May 9, 2021 Total fossil newbie here. A few weeks ago while running, I randomly noticed a weird rock that I thought might be a fossil, and some nice folks here helped me ID it as crinoidal sandstone with a few brachiopod impressions. I figured it was a one-time thing, but when I ran the same route today, I could help but keep an eye out and was shocked to find , now that my brain is primed to see them, that the ground in that area is just littered with crinoids and brachiopods. I've been running right over them on almost a weekly basis for a couple of decades without ever noticing. I know these are probably boring fossils for most of you, but I still find them fascinating. I have a couple of questions about a few details on these that I hope someone will answer. Here's a few general photos of them. I know the one is crinoid pieces. I think the other is a brachiopod - is this correct? And the few details: is this part just a side view of a crinoid stalk, or is it something else? And this - another part of a crinoid? Or something else? And finally, from the one I think is a brachiopod, it looks like there might be an impression of something else just above it (closup below). Is this something? Or just a feature of the rock? Thanks for any help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fifbrindacier Posted May 9, 2021 Share Posted May 9, 2021 Hi, you're right those are crinoids and brachiopods. For the last one, i see a feature of the rock. 1 1 "On ne voit bien que par le coeur, l'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux." (Antoine de Saint-Exupéry) "We only well see with the heart, the essential is invisible for the eyes." In memory of Doren Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tetradium Posted May 9, 2021 Share Posted May 9, 2021 1 hour ago, fifbrindacier said: Hi, you're right those are crinoids and brachiopods. For the last one, i see a feature of the rock. Must be post Ordovician crinoids - those looks like very different branches of the crinoid tree to me. The brachiopods are very poorly preserve being exposed to the elements. Maybe this person might crack open some of the thicker rocks for fresher specimens? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted May 9, 2021 Share Posted May 9, 2021 Here's what I am seeing: 3 Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM --- APRIL - 2015 __________________________________________________ "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~ ><))))( *> About Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doggeek Posted May 10, 2021 Author Share Posted May 10, 2021 3 hours ago, Tetradium said: Must be post Ordovician crinoids - those looks like very different branches of the crinoid tree to me. The brachiopods are very poorly preserve being exposed to the elements. Maybe this person might crack open some of the thicker rocks for fresher specimens? I should have given more info one where these were found - near the top of a mountain in Southwest Virginia. I just looked at the National Geologic Map Database that someone posted on another thread, and it looks like the area where I found these is Devonian. 2 hours ago, Fossildude19 said: Here's what I am seeing: Thanks! That is very helpful! I totally see that now! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tetradium Posted May 10, 2021 Share Posted May 10, 2021 12 hours ago, Doggeek said: I should have given more info one where these were found - near the top of a mountain in Southwest Virginia. I just looked at the National Geologic Map Database that someone posted on another thread, and it looks like the area where I found these is Devonian. Thanks! That is very helpful! I totally see that now! Thanks. I also now see that clearly in the picture with the brachiopod. Yes Devonian 100% for sure! I'm not that familiar with Silurian as there isn't significant deposits near where I lives. (Silurian is 100% absent from Minnesota and occurs in smaller regions in Iowa and Wisconsin). So far Silurian seem to be more of transition period from Ordovician to Devonian. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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