4.6" Thamnopora SP Coral Fossil Coral Reef Devonian Age Verde Valley, Arizona

Location: Martin Formation, Verde Valley, Arizona, United States

Weight: 4 Ounces  

Dimensions: 4.6 Inches Long, 1.8 Inches Wide, 1.2 Inches Thick 

Devonian Age 380 Million Years Old

The item pictured is the one you will receive.

Thamnopora SP Fossil Coral

Corals re-emerged during the Devonian period, around 410 million years ago, marking the first time they formed extensive reef systems. These early reefs mainly consisted of coral-like stromatoporoids (reef-building sponges), tabulate corals (which created mounds, branches, and organ-like shapes), rugose corals (horn-shaped), and ancestors of modern coralline algae (encrusting, multi-colored algae on rocks). Near the end of this period, scleractinian or ‘stony’ corals, which dominate today's coral reefs, first appeared. However, about 350 million years ago, corals disappeared from the fossil record again. The exact cause is unclear, but evidence suggests it was due to rapid sea-level changes and a sudden drop in atmospheric carbon dioxide.