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Where is Fossilized Coral found?

Rugosa or Tabulata (extinct coral orders)

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Fossilized Coral occurs in specific geological environments. Knowing where to look, and in what kind of rock, is the difference between going home empty-handed and finding a great specimen.

Where to find Fossilized Coral

Florida, USA

Known for its agatized coral, particularly the 'Florida Agatized Coral' which is the state stone. Found in Miocene-Pliocene deposits.

Indonesia (Sumatra)

Produces beautifully preserved and highly colorful fossilized corals, often from Tertiary deposits.

Morocco

Known for various fossilized marine organisms, including corals, from Paleozoic and Mesozoic strata.

United Kingdom

Various localities, particularly in Carboniferous limestone formations, yield rugose and tabulate corals.

Australia

Significant occurrences in various states, including Western Australia and Queensland, from Paleozoic and Mesozoic marine sequences.

Canada

Found in Paleozoic sedimentary rocks, particularly in Ontario and Quebec.

Collecting tips

  1. Look in Sedimentary Rocks. Focus your search on areas with exposed marine sedimentary rocks, especially limestones, shales, and sandstones that are known to be fossiliferous.
  2. Identify Coral Reef Environments. Research geological maps and literature to identify ancient reef complexes or shallow marine depositional environments from the Ordovician to Permian periods.
  3. Examine Weathered Surfaces. Fossilized corals often weather out of softer matrix rocks. Look for distinctive patterns on exposed rock surfaces or in stream beds and gravels.
  4. Acid Test (Caution). While the original coral was calcium carbonate, fossilized coral is typically silicified. A drop of dilute hydrochloric acid will not react with silicified coral, but will effervesce on un-fossilized or partially fossilized calcareous coral. Use with extreme caution and only on a small, inconspicuous area.

Quick Check

Color:
Variable (gray, brown, white, black, pink, red, yellow, blue)
Luster:
Waxy to dull, sometimes vitreous
Streak:
White

Explore Fossilized Coral

Overview

Full guide to Fossilized Coral

Identification

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