Pseudossil-- Dendrite

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Pseudossil-- Dendrite

Pseudossil-- Dendrite

This was found along the Scenic Point Trail, and we thought it was a fossil. It is a dendrite formed by mineral crystal. "These pseudofossils form as naturally occurring fissures in the rock are filled by percolating mineral solutions. They form when water rich in manganese and iron flows along fractures and bedding planes between layers of limestone and other rock types, depositing dendritic crystals as the solution flows through." (from the referenced page) Mistaking these for fossils is apparently quite common. Glacier National Park, MT-- July 2011
Bob Sihler
on Dec 11, 2011 11:18 am
Image Type(s): Scenery
Image ID: 765137

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Sarah Simon

Sarah Simon - Dec 14, 2011 10:18 am - Voted 10/10

That's amazing

What a neat capture! -Sarah

Bob Sihler

Bob Sihler - Dec 14, 2011 11:39 am - Hasn't voted

Re: That's amazing

And I would have totally missed this if not for the observant eyes of group member Leslie!

selinunte01

selinunte01 - Dec 18, 2011 10:56 am - Hasn't voted

Sorry Bob,

no fossil! It seems to be a dendrite created by manganese and iron solutions which have penetrated these thin layered limestones. I know them well from Solnhofen / Germany.
Cheers, Michael

Bob Sihler

Bob Sihler - Dec 19, 2011 9:46 am - Hasn't voted

Re: Sorry Bob,

Thanks, Michael. I'd rather be disappointed but correctly informed than wrong!

selinunte01

selinunte01 - Dec 24, 2011 7:10 am - Hasn't voted

Re: Sorry Bob,

Don´t be too dissappointed, they´re beautiful anyhow and a nice eye catcher! As a boy and a "fresh" fossil hunter I made the same mistake thinking that they are plant fossils.

Merry Christmas, Michael

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