2.4" Polished Cut Slab Of Fossil Turritella Shells Eocene Age Wyoming Gastropod Shells
Location: Wyoming, United States
Weight: 1.4 Ounces
Dimensions: 2.4 Inches Long, 1.5 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-aged Green River Formation, particularly the well-known “Turritella beds” within the Wilkins Peak Member. These fossils belong to the gastropod genus Turritella, recognizable by their elongated, high-spired, conical shells composed of numerous tightly coiled whorls.
The dense concentrations of shells within certain stratigraphic layers indicate periods when shallow marine or brackish-water conditions existed. Such environments were favorable for large populations of these filter-feeding snails, whose abundance contrasts with the generally freshwater nature of the Green River lake system.
The Green River Formation is renowned for its exceptional fossil preservation, including fish, insects, and plants, a result of low-oxygen (anoxic) conditions in ancient lakes. Within this context, the Turritella beds represent a distinct sedimentary facies, reflecting episodes of increased salinity or marine influence. Detailed study of the shells—their morphology, distribution, and stratigraphic position—allows paleontologists to reconstruct Eocene ecosystems and better understand the environmental and hydrological changes that shaped Wyoming millions of years ago.
