Calcite Crystal Clam Dig - Spring 2012

"SPC students and the Science Adventurers Club on a fossil dig. The object of our intense concentration you see here, are fossilized marine clams that were buried and then fossilized during a sea level drop. The calcium partially dissolves during ground water seepage and re-crystalizes with other minerals as calcite crystals that form in any empty spaces. Thus the clams are full of shiny, beautiful amber colored crystals. There is only one place where the public can dig, and these fossils are unique to Florida. Dig we did! At the end of a dirty day we were tired, but everyone found at least a few keepers, and some brought home one or two 5-gallon buckets-full! Here we all are tunneling our way through the 1-4 million year old deposits to find our treasures." - Dr. Monica Lara