jamesp
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Post by jamesp on May 13, 2022 5:11:48 GMT -5
lparsons, I struggle to do a tenth of what I used to do. That active lifestyle played a toll on body parts lol. But wouldn't change a thing and am happy to have had an interesting and exciting lifestyle. Sit back and enjoy those grandkids. They are a great reward that I regretfully missed out on.
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on May 13, 2022 5:15:35 GMT -5
I have some photos of larger tumbles coming out of the tumbler. Guess what, when wetted some of the mahogany color wood reflects light as if iridescent. It seems to be dependent on the cut/curve direction. hummingbirdstones Pictures! I need pictures and/or video! I thought I saw a glimmer when that material was in the rough. Looking at these wet tumbles revealed more glitters. It is not a strong flash but it is there. It may be that the cut angle can improve it. I must give the video camera a try after I run them in the finer tumbling abrasives.
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on May 13, 2022 5:33:02 GMT -5
Wow James, that chert makes our old earth toned Pedernales chert look positively plain. Gorgeous material! I suspect that even though it looks a little sparkly on the exterior, your chert will polish very well. Re your other comment, please do not send me more rocks *L*. I'm still tripping over boxes in my barn and am trying to get rid of my remaining collection, not build it up. I'm sure your first-hand knowledge of your local materials way eclipses my own anyway. I agree much of the Rio Grande wood originates in volcanic ash areas further west or south of the river. George West wood I believe, is much younger than our localized calcite wood, which is lower Cretaceous, which again befuddles me as if it has had three- or four-times longer exposure to overlaying beds of marine fossils why has not it been replaced by silica to a larger degree. I suspect chemistry is involved, and the reason I did not go to vet school, aside from being poor, is I totally sucked at all forms of chemistry. *L*. Beats me. If I can get with the Alabama state geologist for info he may have some answers. Even he may be stumped by this occurrence or he may not know about it... The origin and formation of fossils is an intriguing but highly technical subject. When they become attractive from a gem standpoint they become such a desirable target to collect. I'll saw some specimens and send him some photos to hopefully tickle his interest. The saw will reveal a lot of information about this wood. No problem not receiving any rocks, I get what you are saying. They seem to get heavier and heavier. And in the way more and more lol. Odd that I have met so many rock collectors locally that know so many collecting locations yet none of them are aware of this deposit. They are anxious to collect this wood, one day I'll turn them on to the spot !
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on May 13, 2022 5:40:52 GMT -5
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jamesp
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Posts: 36,159
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Post by jamesp on May 13, 2022 6:48:20 GMT -5
Found an excellent U. of S. Bama geological article on Tallahatta (NOT) quartzite. It is not quartzite but is silicified sandstone meaning it did not experience metamorphosis ! It is sandstone cemented together by opaline silica or chalcedony silica. And there is volcanic ash present in south Alabama. Killer article... www.geoarchaeology.southalabama.edu/tal-sand_home.html"To most archaeologists, lithic tools composed of this rock type are referred to as "Tallahatta Quartzite". Tallahatta comes from the geological formation name. Quartzite was once used as a designation for a quartz-rich sedimentary rock (Pettijohn, 1957). However, the term is more commonly employed today to designate metamorphosed quartz-rich sandstone. Since the rocks comprising the Tallahatta Formation have not been metamorphosed, quartzite is an incorrect rock classification for lithic tools made from these material. A more acceptable classification that is consistent with geological nomenclature is Tallahatta Sandstone." Mention of both marine fossils and PETRIFIED WOOD ! "Sandstone and occasionally pebbly sandstone intervals also occur in the Tallahatta Formation and are particularly important for archaeological reasons as they provided the materials for lithic tools in south Alabama. The sandstone is technically classified as quartz arenite (Folk, 1954), as the majority of the grains (>95% of total particles) are composed of quartz. Most quartz grains are moderately well-sorted, sub-angular to sub-rounded in shape, and fine to medium in size. Accessory minerals (those present in trace quantities) include glauconite, muscovite, magnetite, ilmenite, garnet and glaucophane. Occasional petrified wood fragments (Counts and Savrda, 2004) and carbonaceous material (fossil wood fragments) are also found in the Tallahatta Formation (especially in lower portions). Some sandstones and claystones also contain marine shells (e.g., Discocyclina advena, Protoscutella mississippiensis, and Ostrea spp.; Copeland, 1968), and trace fossils of shallow marine origin (e.g., Ophiomorpha nodosa). The most likely depositional environment for the Tallahatta Formation was beach-shelf." And they say volcanic ash is present in south Alabama lol. @#$%^ "The Tallahatta Formation consists of several types of siliciclastic sedimentary rocks. The dominant lithology is micaceous sandy claystone. It is thick-bedded, massive, and contains abundant trace fossils and burrows. A study by Schroeder and Harris (2004) in Mississippi determined that the claystone contained significant amounts of opal-CT (essentially non-crystalline quartz) and the zeolite mineral clinoptilolite. The presence of both of these minerals are significant as they are thought to be alteration productions derived from volcanic ash. Indeed, Schroeder and Harris (2004) imply that much of the fine sediment in the Tallahatta Formation in Mississippi was derived from a volcanic source." "The Tallahatta Formation is composed of "pale-green marine siliceous claystone with some beds of glauconitic sand and sandstone" (Copeland, 1968). It contains some fossiliferous intervals in southwestern portions of the state. Fossils also occur in south central Alabama, but lower in the stratigraphy." Tallahatta named after the "Tallahatta Hills" in Choctaw County Alabama. Hoping not to find Billie Joe !
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on May 14, 2022 6:38:33 GMT -5
I have always questioned the rate of silicification. I am suspicious that it happens faster than most geologists think. Most silicifications in the SE US are found with water and/or dampness.
Looking at this statement regarding heavy clay composed of volcanic ash that was the supposed silicification agent:
"The Tallahatta Formation consists of several types of siliciclastic(clay) sedimentary rocks. The dominant lithology is micaceous sandy claystone. It is thick-bedded, massive, and contains abundant trace fossils and burrows. A study by Schroeder and Harris (2004) in Mississippi determined that the claystone contained significant amounts of opal-CT (essentially non-crystalline quartz) and the zeolite mineral clinoptilolite. The presence of both of these minerals are significant as they are thought to be alteration productions derived from volcanic ash. Indeed, Schroeder and Harris (2004) imply that much of the fine sediment in the Tallahatta Formation in Mississippi was derived from a volcanic source."
I took photos of it in this spring head(I intentionally hunted for a slow flowing ground spring in the deposit area and found one yesterday). This is where I collected wood at and for a reason. A slow flowing ground spring like this has a constant supply of highly mineral rich water unlike rainwater and most runoff water.
What is the impact of having a constant flow of mineral rich water that causes silicification ? As opposed to dryer conditions... And is the silicification process occuring right now at this full time spring head ? silicified coral was in similar conditions...
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on May 14, 2022 8:57:15 GMT -5
Consider this wood being collected on high/dry ground and in the permanent water table. Check out the difference in dry conditions verses wet conditions: Dry(typical thin bleached patina) Wet, in a mineral rich permanent spring flow(found yesterday):
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Post by hummingbirdstones on May 14, 2022 9:36:09 GMT -5
That last red/pink piece is amazing, jamesp! The comparison you made between the wood collected in a dry area and the wet area is interesting. The wet area wood definitely has more intense color -- especially the piece of wood with the purple in it in the upper left of the picture. Now that piece could be a dead ringer for AZ wood. All the same colors as some of it.
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on May 14, 2022 10:13:58 GMT -5
That last red/pink piece is amazing, jamesp! The comparison you made between the wood collected in a dry area and the wet area is interesting. The wet area wood definitely has more intense color -- especially the piece of wood with the purple in it in the upper left of the picture. Now that piece could be a dead ringer for AZ wood. All the same colors as some of it. Ah, you noticed that one. That piece in the upper left has a thin mineral coating from the spring water(I was going to comment on that rock LOL). This coating is typical between the fractures and obviously where these deeper colors are coming from. That stain demonstrates the intensity of minerals and metals(namely iron) in the spring. The same game is commonly played out with silicified corals. Those corals near water sources are much more colorful. And the color type and intensity is dependant upon the level of minerals/metals(and adjacent soils) in the water source !
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on May 14, 2022 10:23:24 GMT -5
The drone helped find rock bars 3000 feet up and down stream.
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Post by RickB on May 14, 2022 10:58:18 GMT -5
The drone helped find rock bars 3000 feet up and down stream. This logging road appears covered with pet wood.: Various rock bars and bedrock exposures Too many limbs to pilot drone down creek. And signal loss was a problem. You need a bigger drone, and teach it how to fetch. Beautiful wood.
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on May 14, 2022 11:50:11 GMT -5
The drone helped find rock bars 3000 feet up and down stream. This logging road appears covered with pet wood.: Various rock bars and bedrock exposures Too many limbs to pilot drone down creek. And signal loss was a problem. You need a bigger drone, and teach it how to fetch. Beautiful wood. Thanks Rick.
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Post by mohs on May 14, 2022 16:10:28 GMT -5
Couple question jamesp James Did that wood originate in that area ? As I posted earlier part of that geographical area is not part of North American content proper. So just wondering And Do you think you could distinguish and i.d. that wood from other areas? Like wood from Az? From reading your process sedimentation & how it petrifies I suppose U could!
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on May 14, 2022 17:16:02 GMT -5
Couple question jamesp James Did that wood originate in that area ? As I posted earlier part of that geographical area is not part of North American content proper. So just wondering And Do you think you could distinguish and i.d. that wood from other areas? Like wood from Az? From reading your process sedimentation & how it petrifies I suppose U could! This article pretty much spells out where the wood came from Ed www.geoarchaeology.southalabama.edu/tal-sand_sedimentology.html. Thru sedimentation deposition. Well, that is the theory. The Fall Line is simply the shoreline of and old ocean that stayed in place for along time. It appears the wave action would have brought the wood in from the south west(probable wave direction) because the deposits are all in coves pointing north east. The deposit is all at an exact elevation telling of a shore line deposit. But it appears to have been washed in petrified chunks. But it also has perfect conditions to have petrified right where it is. If petrified where it is why is it broke up like rock is broken up and not like broken logs ? I'm not so sure it is wood, it has a vascular structure more similar to a vegetative plant and not a wood...as I found many times in Texas. Many large plants petrified down here like cyclamens, horsetails, ferns, and many types of unknown vascular plants. I say this because I can find no limb knots like the case with horsetail. Horsetail is found further up this shoreline 100 miles north up to 12 inches in diameter. Be aware there are over 400 fossil palm varieties found in Texas and present day US only has 9 varieties. The variety of species was insane back then... ID of woods and plants is super tricky, not elm/oak/maple found in say Oregon, but the many other early varieties are simply unknown. The way I find the wood is with a cell phone app that uses GPS calculated elevation. My wetland biz taught me this hydrology handy trick.. The wood is located at the deposits at a given elevation +/- 20 feet, mostly at an elevation +/- 10 feet. I drive my jeep say 200 to 600 feet and record the elevation so I will know where to search. Short distances so I can search them in small segments...(fossil coral was at 85 to 110' elevation, a different old ocean, same trick worked for finding coral) This blue mark is road cutting thru a cove. The elevation lines are in 60 foot increments, not detailed enough for my search. The blue mark on the road has a bridge with a 20 foot wide creek 20 feet below the bridge. This info would not be known by looking at the topo map. I could get a better topo map but my phone app is easy to use and dead accurate.
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on May 14, 2022 17:23:53 GMT -5
mohs, most all Alabama pet wood deposits are found at a fixed shoreline elevation over a 300 mile distance. Or at lower elevations where creeks/rivers have moved it downstream more recently. Very simple. Most of the deposits are trashy material, this one is well silicified making it unique !
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Post by liveoak on May 15, 2022 6:33:22 GMT -5
Consider this wood being collected on high/dry ground and in the permanent water table. Check out the difference in dry conditions verses wet conditions: Wouldn't the "dry" find difference only be a surface treatment ?
It would make sense to me that the air exposed rock would have the weathered look, where the submerged ones wouldn't.
But inside they'd be similar .
Looks like a nice creek to explore, and as the heat is coming on to dip your feet in Patty
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lparsons
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Post by lparsons on May 15, 2022 7:31:08 GMT -5
lparsons, I struggle to do a tenth of what I used to do. That active lifestyle played a toll on body parts lol. But wouldn't change a thing and am happy to have had an interesting and exciting lifestyle. Sit back and enjoy those grandkids. They are a great reward that I regretfully missed out on. jamesp, I think an active lifestyle, natural curiosity and a passion for hobbies is what keeps a person happy, healthy and well….alive!🤣 From what I’ve read in your posts it sounds like you may have geared down a little but can, (and are) running circles around everyone I know!🤣🤣🤣
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lparsons
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Post by lparsons on May 15, 2022 7:44:58 GMT -5
Consider this wood being collected on high/dry ground and in the permanent water table. Check out the difference in dry conditions verses wet conditions: Wouldn't the "dry" find difference only be a surface treatment ?
It would make sense to me that the air exposed rock would have the weathered look, where the submerged ones wouldn't.
But inside they'd be similar .
Looks like a nice creek to explore, and as the heat is coming on to dip your feet in Patty
liveoak It looks like I’m not the only one thinking about those creeks.🤣 Where I grew up there was a huge creek for my siblings and I to play in. I still miss it. I told my kids I spent so much time in it I still have creek water running through my veins. 🤣 Of course, things would have been much different if there had been eels involved, such as the ones jamesp mentioned he had encountered.🤣🤣🤣
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Post by 1dave on May 15, 2022 8:04:21 GMT -5
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Post by liveoak on May 15, 2022 8:12:18 GMT -5
Of course, things would have been much different if there had been eels involved, such as the ones jamesp mentioned he had encountered.🤣🤣🤣 But the unpredictability is what makes it an adventure
Patty
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