Dolomite is a calcium carbonate rock that forms usually in shallow oceans shelfs or large lakes. In this case, it formed in part of the Monterey Formation. The chemical make up of one molecule of this rock is CaMg(CO3)2. Calcium formed from dead organic matter when it sank to the sea floor. Magnesium formed from the existing bedrock. Magnesium is in the top seven for the most abundant atoms in the earth's crust and is one of the reasons why many rocks contain it. Carbon formed when the rock solidified unevenly. The ocean is often called a bank to hold and store carbon from the atmosphere. When the rock solidified, it left tiny holes. Under heat, the liquid inside turned into a gas which then would fuse to the exiting rock.
Over the course of 11 million years, this rock, formed from different elements at the surface, was created as a sedimentary rock. Dolomite is one of the more unusual rocks that you can find in the Monterey Formation. Most of the Monterey formation is made of siltstones and sandstones so when you do find Dolomite, it's quite a site that it was literally made from dead organisms fused to the earth.
A nucleus rock is a rock that has formed around organic matter. This is not a fossil because the organic matter hasn't been replaced by any other minerals. Simply, the rock formed around the organic matter rather than take it's shape like traditional fossils.
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1. Crystal Cove State Park - Dolomite Nucleus on the first line of your email.
2. Describe the (a) textures, (b) colors, (c) size, (d) shape of the Dolomite Nucleus.
3. What is the common name of the organism in this Dolomite Nucleus to allow it to form in the first place?
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