New fossil What hav I found? PIC's

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A high school student discovered a fossil and sought help identifying it. Initial thoughts suggested it might be pumice, but its density indicated otherwise. The fossil's texture resembled limestone or chalk, prompting discussions about its hardness and reaction to dilute hydrochloric acid, which can indicate limestone if it fizzes. The fossil does not float, confirming its solidity. Further examination revealed that it scratches easily with a penny, producing a fine white powder, which aligns with characteristics of limestone. The fossil was found in Michigan, has a mostly rough surface, and exhibits a sandy texture similar to chalk.
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New fossil! What hav I found?? PIC's!

Hi, I have a sister who goes to high school and found this fossil, and now were wondering what it actually is! Could anybody help us figure it out? Thanks!
 

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Pumice perhaps.
 


I was thinking against that, only because of it's high density.
 


Doesn't float then? In texture and weathering it looks a little like a limestone or chalk. How hard is it? Can you get hold of any dilute hydrachloric acid? If it's limestone it should fizz.
 


No it doesn't float so it's pretty solid! :biggrin:
 


No, I can't get any dilute hydrachloric acid any time soon, I'm off campus visiting home.
 


What state was it found in? Was it found in a field, a river bed? Is the surface hard and smooth as opposed to rough? Does it feel sandy or porous?
 


I have picked a lot of limestone off the breakwater between Tampa and Clearwater, and found a lot of fossilized sea-critters. I also found some limestone with small voids in it, not unlike the pix in the OP.
 


Try to scratch it with Your fingernail, a penny and a steel knife. If it's limestone it should scratch easily with the penny and the knife but not your fingernail.
 
  • #10


matthyaouw said: "Try to scratch it with Your fingernail, a penny and a steel knife. If it's limestone it should scratch easily with the penny and the knife but not your fingernail."

My reply: It does scratch into a fine white powder when scratched with a penny. Also, when I scratch with my fingernail a smaller fraction of the white powder is produced!

Do you think it's not limestone then?
 
  • #11


Evo said:
What state was it found in? Was it found in a field, a river bed? Is the surface hard and smooth as opposed to rough? Does it feel sandy or porous?

#ejoe89 replied with:
.....................
#The state it was found in?-------------------------------------------------- Michigan.
#Is the surface either smooth and hard or rough?-------------------------- mostly rough.
# Does it feel sandy or porous?-------------- Well kind of sandy like the texture of chaulk.
......................
 
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