Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Science/2021 December 31

= December 31 =

Possible fossil?
Hi, is the stripy pattern on this rock a fossil? If so, can anyone identify what it is a fossil of? It is about 5 cm long, found on a beach in southern England. ITookSomePhotos (talk) 13:07, 31 December 2021 (UTC)


 * Fairly certain it is a fossil, but I can't see an obvious match. You could try discussfossils.com where you are more likely to find someone who knows what they're talking about. Alansplodge (talk) 15:40, 31 December 2021 (UTC)


 * Certainly looks like a fossil. It would be helpful to know where on the Isle of Wight it was found, as the age of the rocks vary quite a bit - see Geology of the Isle of Wight. Mikenorton (talk) 16:26, 31 December 2021 (UTC)
 * Thanks, it was found on a shingly beach at Thorness Bay. I don't know where the rock ultimately originated from. I suppose it could have been some way away. AFAIK there is no rock like this in situ along this stretch of coast, at least not on the surface. The surface geology here is clayey with some limestone, AFAIK. ITookSomePhotos (talk) 18:24, 31 December 2021 (UTC)
 * The local geology is Bembridge Marl on top of Bembridge Limestone, so much as you describe. These rocks are of Oligocene age, so that should narrow it down a bit. Less likely I think that it has travelled too far. Mikenorton (talk) 21:23, 31 December 2021 (UTC)
 * Perhaps a brachiopod or a bivalve. DuncanHill (talk) 16:37, 31 December 2021 (UTC)