Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Ancyloceras Heteromorph Ammonite Fossils





Fossils in picture are Ancyloceras heteromorph ammonite fossils. They date to the Cretaceous Period (115 million years ago) and were found in Morocco. The fossils were on display at a northern Indiana USA museum.


The museum is called Joshua Tree Earth and Space Museum and is located at 106. S. Michigan Street, Lakeville, Indiana. Admission is free but they could use the donations. They are open 10 AM to 6 PM daily and can be reached at 574-784-2291.

Thanks to Kenny for the image.

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Joshua Tree Earth and Space Museum


Recently, my cousin was in northern Indiana and visited a unique mineral and fossil museum. The museum is called Joshua Tree Earth and Space Museum and is located at 106. S. Michigan Street, Lakeville, Indiana. Admission is free but they could use the donations. They are open 10 AM to 6 PM daily and can be reached at 574-784-2291.

Image above shows a number of crinoid fossils that all are from the Mississsippian (Carboniferous) Period. Two on the far left are Halysiocrinus from Montgomery County Indiana, the four in the middle are crinoid float balls (used for buoyancy) found in Monroe County Indiana.


The museum was opened in 2006 by Terry Boswell in honor his dead son Joshua. It features meteorites, fossils and minerals. They have an extensive meteorite collection.

Image below is a polished slice of the South Bend Meteorite found by farmer in Indiana in 1893. It is of type stony iron pallasite. The main specimen was acquired by the Field Museum in Chicago.

Next image is of  Moldavite tektites found in Czech Republic and associated with Nordlinger Reis Crater of Germany (14 million years old).


Below is a picture of a large sand fulgurite caused by lightning strike. The lightning generates intense heat (5x hotter than sun's surface) and pressure which fuses the silica sand into these root like shapes. This one is re-assembled across a large section of floor.


As in most mineral museums, they have a fluorescent minerals display.


Learn more at their internet site: Facebook Page and this article in the South Bend Tribune

Thanks to Kenny for the images. 

Friday, October 18, 2019

Callograptus indianensis Graptolite Fossil


Here are some pictures of a Callograptus indianensis graptolite fossil. It was found in Kentucky and dates to the Mississippian Period. First image field of view is 2 cm and 2nd is 5mm.

Thanks to Kenny for the images.


Monday, October 14, 2019

Zamia gigas Plant Fossil






This image is of a Williamsonia (aka Zamia) gigas cycad fossil. The plant existed in the Jurassic Period. Fossil was discovered in Scarborough, England, United Kingdom.


Picture taken at Museo di Geologia e Paleontologia Florence Italy (Università degli Studi di Firenze) in August 2019.

Learn more at Wikipedia.

Sunday, October 13, 2019

Gingko huttoni Plant Fossil


This image is of a Gingko huttoni plant fossil. The plant existed in the Jurassic Period. Fossil was discovered in Scarborough, England, United Kingdom. Gingko is considered a living fossil by Western science once it was found thriving in an area of central China.

Picture taken at Museo di Geologia e Paleontologia Florence Italy (Università degli Studi di Firenze) on August 2019.

Saturday, October 12, 2019

False Cypress Cone Fossil


This image shows a false cypress cone fossil found in the Florissant Formation of Teller County, Colorado, USA. It dates to the Eocene Epoch of the Paleogene Period. Thanks to Kenny for the microscope image. Field of view on image is 8 mm.

Tuesday, October 8, 2019

Dance Fly Fossil


This image shows a Diptera (Dance Fly) insect fossil found in the Florissant Formation of Teller County, Colorado, USA. It dates to the Eocene Epoch of the Paleogene Period. Thanks to Kenny for the microscope image. Field of view on image is 4 mm.

Learn more about this order of insect here:
http://www.fossilmuseum.net/Fossil_Galleries/Insect_Galleries_by_Order/Diptera/Diptera.htm