Cretaceous Ammonites of Japan

[Sinopaleus]

Last weekend was almost surreal; I've always been looking to go hunting for ammonites at some point, but the opportunity finally arose while I visited Hokkaido, Japan last week.

 

Ammonites from Hokkaido have always been captivating; they definitely represent some of the best the Asian continent has to offer, and are also known to produce the biggest in the continent. In the far north of Hokkaido, iridescent ammonites could be found, while in the central region, heteromorphs are more common. In very rare occasions across the island, titanic ammonites are lifted out of the streams.

 

On the 13th of July, my first day in the Hokkaido Prefecture, I met up with a local friend in Sapporo to go hunting. He's had quite a few years of experience, and is very knowledgeable about the ammonites of Hokkaido. After a few hours of driving, we went off the road and into the Hokkaido wilderness to search for ammonites. Not long after our arrival at the creek, we started finding clues of ammonite-bearing rock.

 

[Sinopaleus]

A small section of a really big ammonite. The septal patterns on the rock is all that distinguishes this piece from other sandstone rocks in the creek.

 

Lo and behold, here are some pyritize heteromorphs hiding deeper in the matrix. 

 

A nice ammonite that will need more prep to determine the species. 

 

A nice, unbroken Neophylloceras subramosum

 

A modern ammonite  very photogenic too!

 

Notice the calcite chamber in this one.

 

A fossil twig in the sandstone.

[Sinopaleus]

A cast of a Muramotoceras. Where's the other half?? Most likely lost to time  

 

A split-section of a Polyptychoceras! Breaks my heart that I lost the other half; or would have had myself a complete one!

 

Appears to be a Neophylloceras? But superb calcite chambers on this one!

 

Most likely a complete Anagaudryceras  

 

This little one is rare. Genus starts with a "J"; I'm blanking on the name. Will update again later.

[fifbrindacier]

Nice finds.

[RJB]

Some cool stuff and fossil hunting in Japan.  How cool is that! 

 

RB

[fossisle]

On my bucket list!!

[Sinopaleus]

A complete ammonite still hiding in the nodule; will need to prep to best determine the species  

 

A really nice section of an Anagaudryceras

 

A really nice Mesopuzosia pacifica ammonite in mudstone

 

Ammonite bits

 

Huge ammonite section. This monster would have been over a meter long if complete. Possibly from a Pachydesmoceras

 

A partial Gaudryceras  

[Sinopaleus]

A really nice split nodule of a Mesopuzosia

 

And... my submission for IPFOTM  A titanic Mesopuzosia section with two whorls in incredible condition. Would love to have your support!

 

Now that I've posted most of the finds, I'll update the thread sometime tomorrow for the trip to Japan's biggest ammonite museum (with, of course, Japan's biggest ammonite inside  ). Stay tuned!

[Sinopaleus]

49 minutes ago, fossisle said:

On my bucket list!!

 

2 hours ago, RJB said:

Some cool stuff and fossil hunting in Japan.  How cool is that! 

 

RB

 

4 hours ago, fifbrindacier said:

Nice finds.

 

Thanks guys  Very lucky to have had the opportunity. Weather was cooperating as well

[Monica]

Beautiful ammonites 

 

Good luck with your entry for this month's IFOTM!!!

[Sinopaleus]

23 hours ago, Monica said:

Beautiful ammonites 

 

Good luck with your entry for this month's IFOTM!!!

 

Thank you, Monica  

[ynot]

Nice finds!

Congratulations on the fun hunt!