ynot Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 28 minutes ago, RJB said: what are 'lightning strikes'? Streaks in the color that are caused by contact with roots. 1 Darwin said: " Man sprang from monkeys." Will Rogers said: " Some of them didn't spring far enough." My Fossil collection - My Mineral collection My favorite thread on TFF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJB Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 Thank you @ynot RB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeargleSchmeargl Posted August 3, 2017 Author Share Posted August 3, 2017 2 hours ago, RJB said: Nice tooth, but what are 'lightning strikes'? RB They're basically tiny cracks in the enamel or enamel discolorations running vertically along the tooth, sometimes from bourlette to blade tip. They are a popular aesthetic on many of the more quality megs. Every single fossil you see is a miracle set in stone, and should be treated as such. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pilobolus Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 So, I'm confused...Are the Lightning Strikes the root discoloration in (1) or the cracks in the enamel (2)? TIA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pilobolus Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 This site (sales) indicated they are discoloration caused by in situ plant roots: https://ancientearthtradingco.com/1-3-in-lightning-strike-mako-shark-tooth-on-matrix-sharktooth-hill-california.html Correct? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ynot Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 40 minutes ago, Pilobolus said: This site (sales) indicated they are discoloration caused by in situ plant roots: https://ancientearthtradingco.com/1-3-in-lightning-strike-mako-shark-tooth-on-matrix-sharktooth-hill-california.html Correct? That's what I have been told. (and what I said above.) Darwin said: " Man sprang from monkeys." Will Rogers said: " Some of them didn't spring far enough." My Fossil collection - My Mineral collection My favorite thread on TFF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJB Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 Hmmmm,,, I still dont see it or get it? RB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpc Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 I'm glad you asked, RB, but now we have two answers. Discoloration due to roots, or microcracks? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeargleSchmeargl Posted August 3, 2017 Author Share Posted August 3, 2017 4 hours ago, Pilobolus said: So, I'm confused...Are the Lightning Strikes the root discoloration in (1) or the cracks in the enamel (2)? TIA They're the small cracks in the enamel. Also come in the form of discolorations (which are mineral in origin, I believe). Every single fossil you see is a miracle set in stone, and should be treated as such. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ynot Posted August 4, 2017 Share Posted August 4, 2017 4 hours ago, MeargleSchmeargl said: They're the small cracks in the enamel. Also come in the form of discolorations (which are mineral in origin, I believe). I have not heard cracks as being referred to as "lighting strikes" before. There was a thread that discussed lighting strikes a while back (I can not find it) that had a consensus that the discolored streaking that appears on some teeth is caused by contact with roots, which leach some minerals from the tooth and leave white streaks on the tooth. See the tooth in this thread for a good example.... Darwin said: " Man sprang from monkeys." Will Rogers said: " Some of them didn't spring far enough." My Fossil collection - My Mineral collection My favorite thread on TFF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor Mud Posted August 4, 2017 Share Posted August 4, 2017 That's also my understanding @ynot. Lightning strikes are discoloration caused by contact with plant roots in the sediment. Quite different to micro-cracks. Plant rootlets and associated symbionts secrete organic acids that help break down minerals for the uptake of nutrient cations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeargleSchmeargl Posted August 4, 2017 Author Share Posted August 4, 2017 2 hours ago, ynot said: I have not heard cracks as being referred to as "lighting strikes" before. There was a thread that discussed lighting strikes a while back (I can not find it) that had a consensus that the discolored streaking that appears on some teeth is caused by contact with roots, which leach some minerals from the tooth and leave white streaks on the tooth. See the tooth in this thread for a good example.... From what I have seen in videos from blackriverfossils (who is a very frequent tooth Hunter in Summerville) and from what I have found in what little is said about lightning strikes on Megalodon teeth, it seems that lightning strikes are actually more often than not referred to as small cracks in the enamel. This is primarily based from blackriver's videos on hunting for lightning strike megs, as there is surprisingly little relevant information brought up on your average Google search. Every single fossil you see is a miracle set in stone, and should be treated as such. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ynot Posted August 4, 2017 Share Posted August 4, 2017 4 minutes ago, MeargleSchmeargl said: From what I have seen in videos from blackriverfossils (who is a very frequent tooth Hunter in Summerville) and from what I have found in what little is said about lightning strikes on Megalodon teeth, it seems that lightning strikes are actually more often than not referred to as small cracks in the enamel. This is primarily based from blackriver's videos on hunting for lightning strike megs, as there is surprisingly little relevant information brought up on your average Google search. I think the term is a quilociolizm that has little meaning to any outside of fossil hunters. On the other hand, it would not be the first time someone tried to change the definition of a term to make an item to appear more desirable. Which sounds better to You - a tooth with cracks in the enamel or one with "lighting strikes". I still think that the term was "coined" to describe the marks left by contact with roots. Darwin said: " Man sprang from monkeys." Will Rogers said: " Some of them didn't spring far enough." My Fossil collection - My Mineral collection My favorite thread on TFF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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