Lepidophylloides Leaf Fossils

Fossilized Lepidophylloides leaves found in the Breathitt Group of Hazard, Kentucky.  Plants existed in the Pennsylvanian Period (318-299 million years ago).

Annularia Plant Fossils of Kentucky

Annularia plant fossils found in eastern Kentucky coal fields.  The plants existed in the Pennsylvanian Period.

Calamites of Eastern Kentucky

Calamites fossils found in the Breathitt Group of Hazard, Kentucky.  These fossils were formed in the eastern Kentucky coal fields during the Pennsylvanian Period. 

Annularia of Eastern Kentucky

 Pennsylvanian Period (Carboniferous for those outside the United States) plant fossils found in the Breathitt Group.  Found in Hazard, Kentucky (the coal area of eastern Kentucky created over 300 million years ago).  These fossil plants appear to be Annularia.

Note: fossils photographed while wet to increase contrast. Thanks to Kenny for the fossils.

Crawfordsville Crinoids at ISM

If Indiana is known for a particular fossil, it has got to be the crinoids of Crawfordsville.  These prepped plates are on display on the first floor of the Indiana State Museum (October 2010).  Animals existed in the Mississippian Period.

Waldron Shale Fossils Displayed at ISM

Waldron Shale fossils on display at the Indiana State Museum (ISM). First is the index fossil of the Waldron Shale, the Eucalyptocrinites crassus crinoid calyx. 

 The next crinoid cup fossil appears to be an Eucalyptocrinites elrodi.

This third image shows the fragment of the crinoid calyx with arms of Eucalyptocrinites crassus.

 The fourth image shows unidentified crinoid arm.

Last image of the holdfast of an Eucalyptocrinus crinoid.

Arctinurus occidentalis Trilobite

 The Arctinurus occidentalis trilobite with its feathery looking pygidium is rather fragile.  Fragments are mostly found including the one pictured of the pygidium.  The fossil is on display at the Indiana State Museum (October 2010).  Trilobite existed in the Silurian Period and fossil was found in Waldron Shale.

Image of what the entire trilobite looked liked shown below.

Arctinurus Illustration at Indiana State Museum

UPDATE

This fossil was found in the Waldron Shale of Clark County, Indiana.  It is a large fragment of a small part of the Arctinurus rear section (pygidium).  Judging by the size of this fragment, this trilobite would have been the size of a small kite!

This last image is of an Arctinurus pygidium Alan found.  Thanks for letting me photograph it.

GeoFest 2010 Report

This is a report about the GeoFest 2010 at the Indiana State Museum.  Today is the last day of the GeoFest.  The event seemed well attended the day I was there.  Over 20 dealers appeared to be in attendance including a number of lapidary, fossil sellers from Crawfordsville, Indiana, a dealer from Morocco selling that area's fossils, and a number of mineral suppliers.

In addition to dealers, the museum provided an area for children's activities: making geodes, identifying fossils, tracing fossils, finding Salem Limestone microfossils and other exhibits.  A number of groups were also exhibiting: Indiana 4-H, 500 Earth Science Club, Indiana Society of Paleontology, Indiana Geological Survey, Lost River Convervation Association, Indiana Academy of Science, and Friends of Mineralogy.

I had an interesting conversation with a geology teacher with the Indiana 4-H.  He had a number of display examples from the Dunes State Park in northern Indiana.  Two shown here are mica and quartz.  A very dedicated educator who had been collecting for a number of years. 

He also had some fossils on display he found in Sullivan County, Indiana in a coal mine.  They appear to be Pennsylvanian Period plants and marine creatures.

Here is a picture of minerals for sale from a dealer's table on the lowest level.

All and all a very nice festival where one can meet experts on Indiana geology and see geology specimens available for purchase.  The added bonus is opportunity to tour the extensive mineral, rock and fossil displays at the museum.

Waldron Shale Fossils For Sale

While at GeoFest 2010 at the Indiana State Museum I got permission of one of the dealers to photograph some of his fossils.  I was particularly interested in the Waldron Shale fossils.  I regret not getting the dealer's name or contact information.  He was located in the lobby across from the dealers from Crawsfordsville, Indiana with all the Mississippian Period crinoids.

This first fossil shown is a Dalmanites verruccosus trilobite cephalon of the Silurian Period found in Waldron, Indiana.

 Second fossil shown is the cystoid Holocystites scutellatus from the same time period but found in Napoleon, Indiana.

 Platyostoma sp. gastropod from Silurian Period and found in Waldron, Indiana.  It appears to be with some sort of worm tube (Cornulites?).

 Next fossil is the Platyostoma niagerensis from same location and time period as last fossil.

 Last fossil is a combination of Platystoma sp. gastropod and Eucalyptocrinus sp. crinoid calyx cup found in Waldron, Indiana (Silurian Period).

American flag flying among grove of trees as found out front of Indiana State Museum.

Calymene Update Part 2

A Calymene trilobite I have been prepping for weeks now.  Using a DSLR camera now but it needs a macro lens.  Changes since last update used diluted hydrochloric acid on the limestone around the trilobite to smooth out engraver lines.  Used a Dremel tool with two types of stainless steel brushes to clean limestone out of ridges in thorax.  Also used brush to smooth out engraver lines.  More touch up work using a needle tool and Dremel engraver to remove matrix around cephalon.

GeoFest 2010 October 22-24

The Indiana State Museum's annual GeoFest event takes place this weekend (October 22-24, 2010) in Indianapolis, Indiana.  A great place explore geology, mineralogy, and paleontology to placate your inner scientist.  Also a good place to find unique gifts for the upcoming holidays.

Dates & Times

October 22, 2010 (Friday) 9 AM - 5 PM EST

October 23, 2010 (Saturday) 9 AM - 5 PM EST

October 24, 2010 (Sunday) 11 AM - 4 PM EST

Address

Indiana State Museum

650 West Washington St.

Indianapolis, IN 46204

Website

http://www.indianamuseum.org/visit/events/eventview.asp?eventid=880

A number of geology organizations will be present to explain their missions and help with specimen identification: Indiana 4-H, 500 Earth Science Club, Indiana Society of Paleontology, Indiana Geological Survey, Lost River Conservation Association, Indiana Academy of Science, and Friends of Mineralogy.  In addition, 21 dealers will be selling a variety of items including jewelry, cut stones, fossils and raw crystals from around the world.


An interactive display will allow visitors to mix, pour, and mold concrete presented by IMI (Irving Materials, Inc.) Sonja Cowles will help attendees create concrete paper weights using rocks, sand, cement, and water.


On Saturday, Oct. 23 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., glass artist Sallie Gurth of Fuego Loco
Studio will lead an informal jewelry-making workshop. Using beads provided or
purchased from exhibitors, visitors can learn to create necklaces, bracelets or earrings. Cost for the workshop starts at $10.

While at the museum do not forget to check out their great geological exhibits.  Meteorites, minerals, rocks, and fossils are on display.

 Meteorite

Barringer Meteorite Crater in Arizona

 Dolomite & Calcite

Harrison County, Indiana

 Yellow Fluorite

Allen County, Indiana

Crinoid Calyx

Mississippian Period

Crawfordsville, Indiana

Learn more at  Indiana State Museum web site.