Jump to content

Fossil hunting trip in Kenting, Taiwan


sdsnl

Recommended Posts

I visited Kenting, Taiwan last week. Before this site I had already been to 6 other sites and failed to find anything, so I didn't expect to find anything here either. This site was the dumping ground for the construction of a nuclear power plant and its nearby highway. The rocks and sediments that were excavated were piled there, making a couple big hills. They are known to produce marine fossils from the Holocene.

The nuclear power plant was built more than 30 years ago, and trees have grown on the hills. One of the hills has become a parking lot for a scenic site. I parked there and walked around a bit, finding a big shell next to some cars. But because it's been driven over so many times, it's all broken up. I decided to go to the other hill which is less frequented by tourists, and found many fossils there. Here are the finds:

post-19410-0-02008400-1464203520_thumb.jpg

post-19410-0-58266700-1464203522_thumb.jpg post-19410-0-97373400-1464203520_thumb.jpg post-19410-0-84514700-1464203521_thumb.jpg

Elongated giant clam, Tridacna maxima. When I cleaned it, the matrix fell out. It is a nice mold, but very crumbly, so I took a quick picture and protected it in plastic wrap. It is being stabilized right now; when it is done I will be able to take better pictures.

post-19410-0-47285100-1464203523_thumb.jpg post-19410-0-21106200-1464203524_thumb.jpg post-19410-0-88630300-1464203524_thumb.jpg post-19410-0-50534400-1464203525_thumb.jpg

These gastropods still retain some markings!

post-19410-0-47782100-1464203526_thumb.jpg post-19410-0-20958700-1464203527_thumb.jpg

Beautiful bivalves :)

Edited by sdsnl
  • I found this Informative 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

post-19410-0-43211700-1464207998_thumb.jpg post-19410-0-13383900-1464207999_thumb.jpg

Big gastropod.

post-19410-0-66324700-1464207999_thumb.jpg post-19410-0-34984400-1464208000_thumb.jpg post-19410-0-84644300-1464208000_thumb.jpg

Fragments from a huge shell! These are the only pieces I found. I wish to know what it looks like and how big it is.

Edited by sdsnl
  • I found this Informative 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

post-19410-0-72391300-1464208225_thumb.jpg post-19410-0-20749400-1464208226_thumb.jpg post-19410-0-78672600-1464208226_thumb.jpg

post-19410-0-33127300-1464208227_thumb.jpg post-19410-0-85884100-1464208227_thumb.jpg post-19410-0-34599100-1464208228_thumb.jpg

Organ pipe coral, Tubipora musica. I was really excited to find these! :D

Edited by sdsnl
  • I found this Informative 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Those are nice finds!

Dipleurawhisperer5.jpg          MOTM.png.61350469b02f439fd4d5d77c2c69da85.png

I like Trilo-butts and I cannot lie.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Very Nice.Thanks for posting these.

Bulldozers and dirt Bulldozers and dirt
behind the trailer, my desert
Them red clay piles are heaven on earth
I get my rocks off, bulldozers and dirt

Patterson Hood; Drive-By Truckers

 

image.png.0c956e87cee523facebb6947cb34e842.png May 2016  MOTM.png.61350469b02f439fd4d5d77c2c69da85.png.a47e14d65deb3f8b242019b3a81d8160.png.b42a25e3438348310ba19ce6852f50c1.png May 2012 IPFOTM5.png.fb4f2a268e315c58c5980ed865b39e1f.png.1721b8912c45105152ac70b0ae8303c3.png.2b6263683ee32421d97e7fa481bd418a.pngAug 2013, May 2016, Apr 2020 VFOTM.png.f1b09c78bf88298b009b0da14ef44cf0.png.af5065d0585e85f4accd8b291bf0cc2e.png.72a83362710033c9bdc8510be7454b66.png.9171036128e7f95de57b6a0f03c491da.png Oct 2022

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Somebody had fun! Really cool finds, I'll bet you're glad you checked out that second hill.

Dorensigbadges.JPG       

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Somebody had fun! Really cool finds, I'll bet you're glad you checked out that second hill.

Indeed, that day I went to 4 sites that all had construction being done to fill up the river. If it was a long way from the last site I might not have even driven there due to previous disappointments. It was already late afternoon when I got there, but I was able to find all these treasures before dark!

Edited by sdsnl
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I really like that red coral!

Nice stuff. Really love the elongated clam shell!

RB

I love that red coral. Great find! Ty for sharing!

Me too! The coral is beautiful and rare. The clam is common but the orange color is rare even for extant specimens. I can't decide which one is my favorite :P

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nice finds and report. :) You did well.

Thanks for posting them.

Regards,

    Tim    -  VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER

   MOTM.png.61350469b02f439fd4d5d77c2c69da85.png      PaleoPartner.png.30c01982e09b0cc0b7d9d6a7a21f56c6.png.a600039856933851eeea617ca3f2d15f.png     Postmaster1.jpg.900efa599049929531fa81981f028e24.jpg    VFOTM.png.f1b09c78bf88298b009b0da14ef44cf0.png  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

Nice finds and report, thanks for sharing! :)

Every once in a great while it's not just a big rock down there!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here are some of the finds with their extant counterparts (might not be the same species):

post-19410-0-96455500-1464426788_thumb.jpg

post-19410-0-13714800-1464426790_thumb.jpg post-19410-0-84839400-1464426792_thumb.jpg

post-19410-0-70289000-1464426794_thumb.jpg post-19410-0-42247300-1464426796_thumb.jpg

post-19410-0-29423800-1464426797_thumb.jpg

post-19410-0-55968900-1464426798_thumb.jpg post-19410-0-68893700-1464426799_thumb.jpg

Cardium papillosum

post-19410-0-56913400-1464426801_thumb.jpg

Tubipora musica

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...