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Post by hummingbirdstones on May 30, 2022 20:20:22 GMT -5
Here are a couple that look like they could be sponge, but not sure. Can anyone help ID them? Thanks!
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Post by vegasjames on May 31, 2022 2:09:44 GMT -5
Here are a couple that look like they could be sponge, but not sure. Can anyone help ID them? Thanks! I see stuff like this in the desert frequently, but they are not sponges. Looks more like mud concretions. Sponges would have more consistent holes, or specific patterns depending on the sponge. Some sponges also have a large hole at the top, which fills in with fossilization. For example, these fossil sponges I found in Southern Nevada.
I like to hand that one to people then tell them that it is a fossilized elephant penis.
Ball sponges. Seen some of these the size of basketballs out there. No easy to get out of the limestone though.
These two were together in the same small chunk of limestone.
Also keep in mind that holes in sponges will fill an solidify just like many corals. So a fossil sponge would not really be porous.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on May 31, 2022 8:41:24 GMT -5
Thanks vegasjames. I figured you'd know. Mud balls, huh? Well you win some you lose some ....
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Post by rmf on May 31, 2022 15:22:47 GMT -5
hummingbirdstones the texture of your rock looks grainy like a sandstone. If it is sandstone I would guess that another mineral may have originally been deposited with it and then ground water weathered it away. I have seen this with sulfides where they make and acid and leave a whole or with calcite and leave a whole.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,155
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Post by jamesp on Jun 1, 2022 6:25:49 GMT -5
Saw a window off that puppy and wet it. The innards often tell another whole story Robin. Sand casts down in south Alabama can be anything from mammal skulls to marine critters yet look like a leaverite.
Check out Mr. Goza's video from 8:00 to 10:00 for an excellent brief on fossilization, petrification, silicification, casts and replacement. He has a way with words and a hypnotizing voice.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Jun 1, 2022 10:22:46 GMT -5
Thanks, Jim! We'll saw a piece off the end of it at some point. If there's anything in there other than mud, I'll post a picture.
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