Burgess Shale Fossil
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Mineral NameBurgess Shale Fossil
Chemical FormulaPrimarily carbon (C) as a carbonaceous film, with associated silicates from the shale matrix
Crystal Systemamorphous
Streak Colordark gray to black
CleavageN/A (fossil itself has no cleavage)
FractureN/A (fossil itself has no characteristic fracture)
Colorsdark gray, black
Transparencyopaque
Type LocalityBurgess Shale, British Columbia, Canada
Mineral GroupFossil (organic remains)
Usesscientific study, paleontological research, collector's item
Associated Mineralsclay minerals, pyrite
Rarityrare
Description
A dark, flattened fossil impression of a soft-bodied organism, Hallucigenia, preserved within a lighter gray shale matrix, showing distinct anatomical features of the ancient creature.
Geological Context
Burgess Shale fossils are exceptionally preserved soft-bodied organisms from the Middle Cambrian period, formed in an anoxic deep-water environment that prevented decay and allowed for rapid burial and carbonaceous compression in fine-grained sediments.
