Colorado Stromatolite Fossils |
Colorado Stromatolite Fossils |
Jan 20 2016, 10:17 AM
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#1
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Moderator Group: Members Posts: 4,459 Joined: 25-August 09 From: way on up thar Member No.: 6,983 |
Post up your pics here if you've been lucky enough to stumble across any. I have several specimens (none are from the Lykins Formation). All of my finds are from Grand County and at a fairly high elevation in relation to the Lykins Formation. I believe they were encased and preserved by a volcanic event. As the volcanic surface rock (extrusive igneous) erodes they are exposed. My finds have been loose alluvial... or placer in nature, just keeping my eyes peeled and flipping rocks.
This is probably my favorite. It has a bonus.... a druzy pocket on top that is filled with micro crystals. This one probably got pretty hot. Fossil/gem or geode combo I reckon. Kinda ugly but kinda purty.... hey, it has inner beauty. Top Stromatolite Top by GhostCreekMine, on Flickr Bottom Stromatolite Bottom by GhostCreekMine, on Flickr Side Stromatolite Side by GhostCreekMine, on Flickr Inside Druzy Pocket (unknown crystallization) Stromatolite Druzy Crystallization by GhostCreekMine, on Flickr -------------------- /l ,[____], l---L-OlllllllO- ()_) ()_)--o-)_) BLACK SANDS MATTER! Very Happy CP Lifetime Member CP CORE TEAM Referral Code CE213 |
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Jan 20 2016, 10:22 AM
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#2
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Moderator Group: Members Posts: 4,459 Joined: 25-August 09 From: way on up thar Member No.: 6,983 |
Colorful Stromatolite fossilization encased in extrusive igneous. This one appears to be more recently exposed and therefore far less eroded than the one I pictured above. I left it in place. Something tells me it's probably pretty gemmy inside also.
Stromatolite Encased 2 by GhostCreekMine, on Flickr -------------------- /l ,[____], l---L-OlllllllO- ()_) ()_)--o-)_) BLACK SANDS MATTER! Very Happy CP Lifetime Member CP CORE TEAM Referral Code CE213 |
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Jan 20 2016, 02:46 PM
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#3
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Moderator Group: Members Posts: 4,459 Joined: 25-August 09 From: way on up thar Member No.: 6,983 |
This one is different but from the same location. Host rock is Jasper or Chert, waxy.
Stromatolite C top by GhostCreekMine, on Flickr Stromatolite C bottom by GhostCreekMine, on Flickr -------------------- /l ,[____], l---L-OlllllllO- ()_) ()_)--o-)_) BLACK SANDS MATTER! Very Happy CP Lifetime Member CP CORE TEAM Referral Code CE213 |
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Jan 21 2016, 08:46 AM
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#4
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Master Mucker! Group: Admin Posts: 7,195 Joined: 7-October 03 From: Colorado Member No.: 4 |
Those are fantastic Chris!! I really like the colorful one encased in extrusive igneous. Looks like a great location for looking for fossils! Thanks for sharing the pics with us.
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Jan 21 2016, 09:42 AM
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#5
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Master Mucker! Group: Members Posts: 2,430 Joined: 6-June 13 From: Falcon, CO Member No.: 82,915 |
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Jan 21 2016, 10:22 AM
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#6
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Rock Bar! Group: Members Posts: 264 Joined: 18-February 15 From: Aurora Member No.: 120,144 |
Almost as cool as this one I found here in Falcon this morning! ;) nice glaze -------------------- CP Lifetime Members
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Jan 21 2016, 01:23 PM
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#7
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Shovel Buster! Group: Members Posts: 72 Joined: 18-September 14 From: Colorado Member No.: 118,130 |
Very nice pic's Chris, the movie you posted named "Life's Rocky Start" talked in detail about Stromatolites and how the single cell Microbes slowly collect the dirt out of the surrounding water and cement the dirt and minerals as layers which are shown very well in the pics you posted. Very cool, nice specimen's.
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Jan 21 2016, 03:34 PM
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#8
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Shovel Buster! Group: Members Posts: 100 Joined: 24-May 15 Member No.: 120,476 |
Nice fossils swizz!
Here are a two links to photos of stromatolites in the Lykins Formation. The first link is to an outcrop near Colorado Springs. Permian/Triassic Lykins Formation 250 mya The second link shows several photos in Boulder Valley. The website is run by Steve Wagner, a volunteer at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science (DMNS). Geology of Colorado (Boulder Valley) - Field Trip #1, Stop #4: Lykins Formation Many, many years ago I remember a field geology problem where we learned how to measure a stratigraphic section with a Jacob's staff and Brunton. The field area was between Red Rocks Park and I-70. I'm not sure whether the area is still accessible for folks to see the stromatolites or not. |
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Jan 22 2016, 07:48 AM
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#9
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Moderator Group: Members Posts: 4,459 Joined: 25-August 09 From: way on up thar Member No.: 6,983 |
Thank you Denise, Skygazer and Gene excellent links!
Crusty, your specimen looks delicious. -------------------- /l ,[____], l---L-OlllllllO- ()_) ()_)--o-)_) BLACK SANDS MATTER! Very Happy CP Lifetime Member CP CORE TEAM Referral Code CE213 |
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