 |
The Georgia Mineral Society, Inc. 4138 Steve Reynolds Boulevard Norcross, GA 30093-3059 |
GMS Field Trip
If you have any questions about field trips send email toGMS Field Trip
Mississippian Fossils and Geodes in Tennessee
Saturday, November 11, 2017
A crisp autumn morning greeted field trip attendees as they descended upon the fossilized coral during the first leg of a three part field trip. The Mississippian coral Lithostrotionella is abundant and easy to collect there, so within a few minutes the group was ready for the second leg. There we collected numerous species of fossilized crinoids, mostly stems, but a few calyxes were found as well. Agaricocrinus is the most common crinoid species found in that area. The crinoid fossils we found are highly silicified and often have a pretty blue color. Again, collecting was abundant and easy, so it was not long before the group was ready for our third and last leg for the day. This time we collected geodes. Most people collect them whole and break or cut them open later, but a few broken bits can be found and they usually contain clear quartz crystals. It was a beautiful day for collecting and everyone found plenty of specimens as well as extras for schools and grab bags.
Many thanks to Daniel Miller and Charles Carter for arranging this multi-location trip!
Lori Carter
On behalf of Charles Carter, GMS Field Trip Chair
e-mail:
Site 1: Coral
Photo by Lori Carter
Looking for fossilized coral...
Photo by Lori Carter
...found one!
Photo by Lori Carter
Beautiful crystals that can be found only when it is really cold outside
Photo by Lori Carter
Owen and the coral specimen he named "purple pussycat"
Photo by Lori Carter
Excellent sample with various shell fossils
Site 2: Crinoids
Photo by Lori Carter
Crinoid stems were easy to find...
Photo by Lori Carter
...they were even growing on the trees :o)
Photo by Lori Carter
Diana Poppelreuter found this superb crinoid calyx
Photo by Diana Poppelreuter
Some of Diana's finds (left to right)
clump of criniod stems, crinoid calyx, horn coral, oval crinoid stem, and a branching criniod stem
Photo by Kathy Wiggins
Kathy Wiggins was determined to find a calyx and her perseverance paid off with this lovely specimen
Site 3: Geodes
Photo by Lori Carter
One of the first geodes found that day
Photo by Lori Carter
Beautiful quartz geode
Photo by Lori Carter
Good example of a botryoidal chalcedony geode,
plus this one has quartz crystals on top of the chalcedony
Photo by Lori Carter
Cubic quartz geode -- these are fairly rare, so this was a very good find
Photo by Lori Carter
Some cute fungus was among us
Photo by Susan Oltman
This colorful insect stopped by for a photo op
Click below for field trip policies
Copyright © Georgia Mineral Society, Inc.