Marmora
September 25, 2012
Today was a nearly fossil-free day of fossil-hunting in southern Ontario. Sometimes you just have to go with the flow and enjoy the landscape . . . and of course, tomorrow we might find those remarkable specimens we seek!
The former Marmoraton iron mine contains immense exposures of Ordovician limestone. It is a pity that we cannot get in to examine them!
Small-scale ripples in the Ordovician Shadow Lake Formation
Possible Ordovician mud cracks
Cedars on the slope seem to be almost growing out of the bare limestone of the Gull River Formation.
© Graham Young, 2012
13 Comments
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Ancient Shore 
Marmora: I visited that quarry many times. Lots of mineral crystal deposits… garnets, pyrites and other exotic minerals. I once trip the gamma detectors at the border after collecting in Marmora…. radioactive pebble must have been caught in the tire. The Quarry is now closed to collectors as of 2011. I will see if I can finds some old photos…
Peter, thank you for the comments and photos!
Here is a large weather rock recovered from the bottom of the quarry that contains Gastropods and a Cephalopod: http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx49/pleecan/Marmora/IMGP3492A.jpg
Axinite: http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx49/pleecan/Marmora/Axinite.jpg
Garnet: http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx49/pleecan/Marmora/Garnet.jpg
Garnet: http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx49/pleecan/Marmora/SDIM0271.jpg
Pyrite: http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx49/pleecan/Marmora/SDIM0267.jpg
Shots of the Open pit Quarry:
You are welcome Graham! The Quarry was closed because kids in their ATV illegally trespassed… got hurt and now everyone is paying for it : ( That includes legitimate collecting clubs and people. A few ruined it for everyone. The site is now closed to all collecting for now.
PL
It is a shame a few spoiled it for the many who do take care.
But great photos Graham.
Thank you, Dave!
The iron mine site does look very interesting, Graham.
That 4th image is especially lovely.
Thank you Karen. I was thinking about Edward Burtynsky when I edited that one, and it was tempting to boost the saturation and play with it further, but I resisted!
Now that the mine is closed for collecting are there any of locations in the area to collect?
There are some fossil localities in that area, but it is my understanding that there are no others with at all comparable exposure.
Marmora was noted by collectors mainly for its abundant mineral deposits… and not so much for fossils.