Kentucky Fossils
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My Name is Lawrence Howard, I am a Professional Geologist in the State of Kentucky. I received my BS from Morehead State University and my MS from Eastern Kentucky University. I am a member of the Bluegrass Gem and Mineral Club and I have been collecting fossils since I was very young. I am currently working on Mississippian age Nautiloids from the Nancy Member of Borden Formation from Lewis, Rowan, Madison and Rockcastle Counties, Kentucky.
The Borden Formation is a pro-deltaic Environment similar to the environment in the Gulf of Mexico where the Mississippi River is depositing sediment creating a delta further and further out. The Nancy Member represents the finer sediments that are deposited farther out. The Nancy Member is composed of a gray fissile shale and contains turbidities . The Nancy also contains Sideritic nodules that were formed diageniticly after the sediment was deposited. These sideritic nodules were once mined for their Iron content during pioneering days. The sideritic nodules also contain other minerals of Galena, sphalerite, pyrite and chalcopyrite. Fossils also occur in these nodules and are usually represented by internal molds. Commonly found fossils include both straight and coiled Nautiloids, Amminoids,, corals, pelecopods, gastropods, crinoids, brachiopods, conulariids, bryozoans, and some fish fragments. Trace fossils are also very common in the Nancy Member.
I have been working on trying to identify the Lower Mississippian age Nautiloids that I have been finding in Kentucky. The most striking thing I have discovered is how little work has been done in this area, most of the papers on the subject are older than I am and were written over 50 years ago. I have used what papers I have found to tentatively identify these nautiloids. If anyone knows of papers that can help me or have knowledge on this subject any help will be appreciated.