MITZPE RAMON, ISRAEL–Our third stop in our geological journey today was 19 km north of Mitzpe Ramon (N 30.76084°, E 34.72020°) at another outcrop of the Matred Formation (Middle Eocene). We again had silicification, but no corals this time, The silica replaced the original limestone in a very strange way, producing these dark rings. Since silica is harder than limestone, the surrounding unreplaced limestone erodes faster, leaving the silicified rings in relief. They look anthropogenic, but they’re entirely natural. Again, mysteries abound.
In this close view of the silicified limestone are numerous bivalve shells that were replaced with silica just like the matrix. They appear to be a random distribution of shells with no preferred orientation.
There are two fossils here replaced with silica. We’ll let the readers guess what they are.
These curious rings of black rock on the top of a hill attracted local peoples. Over the centuries (no one knows exactly how many or when) they carved numerous petroglyphs through the patina on the rock surfaces. We will also entertain guesses as to what is represented here!
Camelus dromedarius!
Nailed it, Luke!
Irregular echinoids!
Yes, Katherine! The big one. But the little fossil above it is much more difficult. A clue: Eocene.i
Hmm…a marine mammal vertebra? (Seems a little small, though.)
Hi Katherine: This one is too difficult from an image alone. Nummulitid forams!
Could swear I see hinge teeth at the very top and a shell wrapping around.
That big hole, though, is the periproct. Nice try, Luke!