Earth Science Club of Northern Illinois (ESCONI)

Details For Braceville Field Trip Saturday June 20, 2009

John Good's avatar

John Good

Collecting Mazon Creek Fossils on Private Property:

Meet at 8:00 A.M. Saturday, June 20th, at the BP Amoco in Coal City. No Age Limit.  Hard Hats not required.

Take I-55 to Exit 236 (Coal City Exit). Take a right onto Highway 113 (Division Street).  Go west to Broadway Street and Division in Coal City.

We will be collecting Mazon Creek concretions from an old spoil pile on private property.  Hard hats are not required.  Boots are recommended.  An Estwing rock hammer is the best tool.  A small shovel or pick is helpful.  Knee pads, backpacks, fanny packs, extra clothes (you will get wet and muddy) are also a plus.  Bring a bucket for the fossils. Also bring insect repellant, sun screen and a hat.  Be prepared for a one-two block walk.

Contact John Good at “(630) 483-2363” for reservations or e-mail at esconi@hotmail.com

2 responses to “Details For Braceville Field Trip Saturday June 20, 2009”

  1. Darice Avatar
    Darice

    Once a Mazon Creek nodule is opened can it be coated with something to help preserve it and prevent it from oxidizing?

    Reply
  2. Dianna Avatar
    Dianna

    My understanding is that there is no need to use a coating and that varnish coatings decrease the value of the fossil.
    Pyrite disease can occur with many fossils, including Mazon Creek. Storing them in a dry place decreases the chances of pyrite disease. And if one of your specimens gets pyrite disease, separate it from the other specimens. You can identify the disease by smelling the fossil – it will have a slight sulphuric scent. Here is a link that I just found too about pyrite disease… I thought it was interesting –
    http://www.mindat.org/mesg-6-36559.html

    Reply

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