inflated

[crypotolithus]

What does it mean for a fossil to be "inflated"?

[ynot]

As opposed to being flat?

It means the fossil has a 3 dimensional preservation.

[TqB]

It's used as an anatomical term, meaning more bulgy or blown up than other species e.g. when a trilobite has an inflated glabella.

[Kane]

I use it in both senses, pending context of the statement. For instance, "this species of trilobite is known for its inflated glabella" is an anatomical descriptor of the species, whereas "this trilobite comes out fully inflated in the limestone, and not crushed or flattened when they occur in shale," refers to the specific specimen's preservation state.

[ynot]

3 hours ago, TqB said:

It's used as an anatomical term, meaning more bulgy or blown up than other species e.g. when a trilobite has an inflated glabella.

Yeah, that too.

[LordTrilobite]

The term can also be used when a fossil is flattened by the fossilisation process, and scans are made that are then digitally inflated to reconstruct the original shape.

[RJB]

This term also goes for ammonites.  Lots of ammos have been crushed from a little bit to a lot of bit.  If 'fully inflated', means it has not been crushed at all.  Its always a nice thing when you can find fully inflated ammo's.

 

RB