1.9" Polished Cut Slab Of Fossil Turritella Shells Eocene Age Wyoming Gastropod Shells
Location: Wyoming, United States
Weight: 1.2 Ounces
Dimensions: 1.9 Inches Long, 1.9 Inches Wide, 0.3 Inches Thick
The item pictured is the one you will receive.
Fossil Turritella shells from Wyoming are most commonly associated with the Eocene Green River Formation, particularly the well-known “Turritella beds” within the Wilkins Peak Member. These fossils belong to the gastropod genus Turritella, which is easily recognized by its elongated, high-spired, conical shell composed of numerous tightly coiled whorls.
The high concentration of Turritella shells in specific stratigraphic layers indicates intervals when shallow marine or brackish-water conditions existed. Such environments were ideal for these filter-feeding snails, allowing large populations to thrive. Their abundance contrasts with the predominantly freshwater nature of the Green River lake system, highlighting episodes of changing water chemistry.
The Green River Formation is renowned for its exceptional fossil preservation, including fish, insects, and plants, a result of low-oxygen (anoxic) lake conditions. Within this setting, the Turritella beds represent a distinct sedimentary facies, reflecting periods of marine influence or increased salinity. Detailed study of these shells—their morphology, abundance, and distribution—provides important insights into Eocene paleogeography, paleoecology, and environmental change in what is now Wyoming.
