visedhercules98 4 Posted July 20, 2018 I think this is some type of coral. Its eight inches in length 1&3/4width the fossil is two tubes that run parrel with each other but still is attached in the middle. Inside the tubes, there are hollow in the center may be for transportation of water and nutrients or something. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ynot 7,240 Posted July 20, 2018 Where was this found? Does not look like a coral. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike from North Queensland 382 Posted July 20, 2018 Unsure what it is but could it be a build up around a vent ? Mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
visedhercules98 4 Posted July 20, 2018 Location is unknown I was given a random box with random fossils and they said good luck that’s all the information I have on these fossils. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fossildude19 14,844 Posted July 20, 2018 This reminds me of a speleothem. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ynot 7,240 Posted July 20, 2018 1 minute ago, Fossildude19 said: This reminds me of a speleothem. I was thinking an iron concretion around a root. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
visedhercules98 4 Posted July 20, 2018 Like a deep oceanic vent Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Walt 722 Posted July 20, 2018 28 minutes ago, visedhercules98 said: I think this is some type of coral. Its eight inches in length 1&3/4width the fossil is two tubes that run parrel with each other but still is attached in the middle. Inside the tubes, there are hollow in the center may be for transportation of water and nutrients or something. when you zoom into the first picture, it looks like a some crystals built up inside.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Auspex 4,015 Posted July 20, 2018 12 minutes ago, Fossildude19 said: This reminds me of a speleothem. Yup: stalactite(s). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ynot 7,240 Posted July 20, 2018 9 minutes ago, visedhercules98 said: Like a deep oceanic vent No, like what is found in a cavern. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FossilDAWG 5,849 Posted July 20, 2018 I'm on board with speleothem (stalactite or stalacmite). I see no structure suggestive of a coral or sponge. Don Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
caldigger 8,238 Posted July 20, 2018 I was going with Stelagtite before I saw your comments Tim. Yes the void is where water would be traveling through. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fruitbat 1,678 Posted July 20, 2018 I agree with stalagmite or stalactite. Notice the way it is built up of concentric layers over time (evidenced in the first picture). -Joe Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
visedhercules98 4 Posted July 20, 2018 under further analysis, I agree with the stalagmite/stalactite because of the crystal structure in the interior with the cavern running down to the end of the stem. This meaning that there was somewhat of a steady water flow brings sediment along with it forming the structure. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WhodamanHD 3,072 Posted July 20, 2018 52 minutes ago, ynot said: I was thinking an iron concretion around a root. Rhizolith? the first one looks like one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
westcoast 398 Posted July 20, 2018 Context is everything and we have none. Could be speleothem or rhizolith or something else..But not sponge I think. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Macrophyseter 602 Posted July 20, 2018 I also agree with some form of speleothem. The inside view clearly shows a buildup of crystals in concentric layers. Coral fossil is unlikely because there isn't any diagnostic features of it in the item in question (shape alone is almost never reliable because there have been plenty of instances where ordinary rocks have been coincidentally shaped like a fossil) 5 minutes ago, westcoast said: Context is everything and we have none He was given the item in question by a college professor for an fossil identification internship. The catch is that the fossils he received were not supposed to have been previously identified in any way and their location unrecorded. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WhodamanHD 3,072 Posted July 20, 2018 26 minutes ago, WhodamanHD said: Rhizolith? the first one looks like one. Wait, are both pictures the same piece? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ynot 7,240 Posted July 20, 2018 35 minutes ago, WhodamanHD said: Rhizolith? the first one looks like one. Yeah, that is the word I was looking for. But I think speliotherm is the correct id for this piece. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WhodamanHD 3,072 Posted July 20, 2018 24 minutes ago, ynot said: Yeah, that is the word I was looking for. But I think speliotherm is the correct id for this piece. Me as well, if they are the same specimen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
abyssunder 5,574 Posted July 21, 2018 The multiple concetric layers and the hollow polygonal inside structure visible in the transverse section view suggests Rhizolith, similar to the formation of speleotherms. Maybe I'm wrong and Mason, but usually speleothems have a more rounded hollow inside, in my opinion, but I could be wrong. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ynot 7,240 Posted July 23, 2018 After thinking about this piece, I will stick with a rhizolith. If it were a stalactite the hole in the center would be round and would not be crystal lined. Also the broken ends would show a radiating crystal structure, as it would be a calcite mineral. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FossilDAWG 5,849 Posted July 23, 2018 I can see it either way, speleothem or rhizolith. Would a rhizolith qualify as a fossil? Don Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WhodamanHD 3,072 Posted July 23, 2018 6 minutes ago, FossilDAWG said: I can see it either way, speleothem or rhizolith. Would a rhizolith qualify as a fossil? Don Depends on your definition of fossil. If it is evidence of a past living thing then yes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Auspex 4,015 Posted July 23, 2018 4 hours ago, FossilDAWG said: I can see it either way, speleothem or rhizolith. Would a rhizolith qualify as a fossil? Don I am pretty sure it's a stalactite (crystals in the center cavity contraindicate rhizolith, as does the fact that it appears to be a carbonate evaporite, rather than an iron-cemented accretion). A rhizolith would technically be an ichnofossil if it were over 10,000 years old. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
