Why Do Pennsylvanian Rock Formations Appear as Strips?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the appearance of strip-like formations in rocks from the Pennsylvanian period, with participants sharing images, fossils, and questions related to geology and paleontology. The focus includes the identification of rock types, fossil characteristics, and geological processes that may explain the observed formations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note the presence of wood-like strips in rocks and question why they appear as strips without depth.
  • Others mention the geological context of the formations, referencing the variscean orogenesis and historical sea levels.
  • A participant suggests the importance of including a scale bar in photographs for better understanding of the size of the formations.
  • There are mentions of various fossils found in the area, including bivalves and potential crinoids, with some participants expressing excitement about the discoveries.
  • One participant describes finding a "soft, crumbly orange substance" in fossils, raising questions about its nature compared to the usual hard fossils.
  • Discussion includes speculation about the causes of pits in certain rock types, with suggestions of calcite etch pits and tafoni weathering patterns.
  • Some participants share personal anecdotes and experiences related to fossil hunting and geological observations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a variety of viewpoints and hypotheses regarding the nature of the rock formations and fossils, with no clear consensus reached on the identification or explanation of the observed phenomena.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the need for further investigation into the characteristics of the orange fossils and the geological processes that may have led to the observed formations and weathering patterns.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to geology enthusiasts, paleontology students, and individuals curious about rock formations and fossil identification.

  • #61
I'd say definitely a leaf.
 
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  • #62
Evo said:
I'd say definitely a leaf.
Thank you.

I have some large petrified bones that came out of the side of the Kansas River bank. I believe they are from a bison; back bones, ribs, and thigh. I need to see if I can find them.
 
  • #63
Ms Music said:
Lucky!

I have 4 days off work, (Thurs - Sun) so I will either a/ forget this thread completely, or b/ remember and post some pictures. Is it okay to post pictures of collections in this thread even though it is called "fossil and rock IDENTIFICATION"?

Obviously the answer was a/. Forgot this thread completely.

Here is my arrow head. I had leaned down to pick up a flake that I had spotted, then noticed a piece of glass sticking edgewise out of the dirt. I decided it was best to remove the glass and throw it away in a garbage can, so I flicked it out with my fingernail and instead found it to be THIS:

407661822.jpg


Yes, it is clear. :biggrin:
 
  • #64
Ms Music said:
Obviously the answer was a/. Forgot this thread completely.

Here is my arrow head. I had leaned down to pick up a flake that I had spotted, then noticed a piece of glass sticking edgewise out of the dirt. I decided it was best to remove the glass and throw it away in a garbage can, so I flicked it out with my fingernail and instead found it to be THIS:

407661822.jpg


Yes, it is clear. :biggrin:
Oh wow!

The weather is getting cooler and that mountain of fossil rock is calling me. There's a little road that they put a gate across and a "no trespassing' sign, but there's no fence on either side of the gate, so I assume it's ok to just walk into the field where they're bulldozing the rocks into a mountain before they haul it away. I have no intention of going through the gate, that would be wrong. :smile: I just know there are some awesome fossils in those rocks.
 

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