Where are ammonites fossils found?

Hunting Ammonites: A Fossil Fanatic’s Guide to Finding These Ancient Treasures

Okay, picture this: a creature that lived alongside the dinosaurs, sporting a swirly shell and a fascinating history. That’s an ammonite for you! These guys were basically the cool kids of the ancient seas for over 340 million years, from the Devonian period right up until the end of the Cretaceous – poof, gone with the dinosaurs i. But here’s the awesome part: they left behind a ton of fossils, and you can find them all over the world i!

So, what exactly were ammonites? Think of them as distant cousins to modern squids and octopuses, complete with eyes, tentacles, and those amazing coiled shells i. Inside, their shells were divided into chambers, like little apartments, separated by walls that created these crazy, intricate patterns i. Seriously, these patterns are like ammonite fingerprints – super useful for telling different species apart i!

Now, how did these sea creatures turn into stone-cold fossils? Well, after an ammonite kicked the bucket, its shell would sink to the bottom of the ocean and get buried under layers of sand and mud i. Over eons, that sediment hardened into rock, trapping the shell inside i. Then, groundwater, like a mineral delivery service, seeped in, replacing the shell material with stuff like calcite, pyrite, or even agate i. The result? A beautiful, fossilized ammonite, ready to be discovered!

Alright, let’s get to the good stuff: where can you actually find these fossilized treasures? Ammonites are usually hanging out in sedimentary rocks – think limestones, chalks, and shales that used to be ancient seabeds i. They seem to have liked various environments, but you’ll often find them alongside other marine fossils like oysters and belemnites i. Here are some prime spots around the globe:

• Europe: Oh, Europe’s a goldmine!
  • Jurassic Coast, Dorset, England: This place is legendary. I mean, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site for a reason! The “Ammonite Pavement” at Monmouth Beach is mind-blowing – thousands of ammonites just chilling in a limestone ledge i.
  • Somerset, England: Think of it as Dorset’s equally awesome neighbor, packed with Lower Jurassic ammonites.
  • Folkestone, Kent, England: If you’re hunting for Lower Cretaceous ammonites, Folkestone’s your spot.
  • Holzmaden, Germany: The Posidonia Shale here is like a time capsule, preserving Jurassic ammonites in incredible detail i.
  • Swabian and Franconian Alb, Southern Germany: These areas were key in figuring out how to use ammonites to date rocks – pretty cool, huh?
  • Kent and Sussex, England: Keep your eyes peeled on the chalk cliffs – you might just spot an Upper Cretaceous ammonite!
• North America: Don’t count North America out!
  • Bearpaw Formation, Alberta, Canada: This formation is a treasure trove of Cretaceous ammonites i.
  • Montana, US Montana’s Bearpaw Shale is another hot spot for Cretaceous ammonites i.
  • Carlsbad, La Jolla, and Point Loma, California, US These Californian locations have all coughed up ammonite fossils.
  • Big Brook Park, New Jersey, US An awesome place to dig for Cretaceous marine fossils, including our beloved ammonites.
• Africa:
  • Atlas Mountains, Morocco: The Cretaceous sediments here are ridiculously rich in fossil ammonites i.
  • Thajanga Province, Madagascar: This region gives you a peek into different slices of the Mesozoic Era.
• Asia:
  • Volga River Region, Russia: Keep an eye out for ammonites along the Volga River!
• Other Locations:
  • Ammonite Canyon, Nevada, US This remote canyon is bursting with well-preserved Mesozoic ammonoids and ammonites.

Now, here’s why ammonites are more than just cool-looking rocks: they’re like time capsules for geologists i. Because they evolved quickly and spread far and wide, they’re amazing for dating rocks i. Find a specific ammonite species, and you can pinpoint the age of the rock it’s in and match it up with rocks in other places i.

Plus, ammonites can tell us about ancient oceans i. The kind of ammonites you find can give you clues about how deep the water was, how salty it was, and what the water was like chemically i. So, finding an ammonite means you’ve found a piece of an ancient marine world, even if you’re standing in the middle of a desert!

Before you grab your hammer and chisel, a word of advice: do your homework and get permission before you start digging i. Seriously, respect the land and the rules. And remember, collecting fossils in national parks is usually a no-go i. Let’s keep fossil hunting fun and sustainable for everyone!