shells in manatee springs

[ltb7733]

so i was diving in manatee springs a few weeks ago, and saw many scallop shells. who can tell me if they are fresh water scallops or at one time salt water scallops? what is the history of these shells?

[Jerry]

The cave at Manatee is formed in the Ocala limestone. The Ocala limestone was formed as a shallow sea deposit. If you look closely in the walls you will see fossil crab claws, sea urchin shells, or spines, and the fossil that defines the Ocala: lepidocyclina. Lepidocyclina is a foraminifera that was quite abundant in the time period that formed the Ocala.

Short answer: salt water.

Jerry

[sskasser]

There is a GREAT article about the origin of these caves (and the related shells) in the new cave diving book. I've read it three times so far, and learned a little more each time.

[Finaddict]

I am often amazed at the bits of knowledge posted on this forum.
Just how in the hell did you people get to be so %$#! smart?

[FW]

I am often amazed at the bits of knowledge posted on this forum.
Just how in the hell did you people get to be so %$#! smart?

Jerry is a geologist, SSKasser reads a lot.

[sskasser]

And I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express once

[Jerry]

I am often amazed at the bits of knowledge posted on this forum.
Just how in the hell did you people get to be so %$#! smart?

Too many years of University, lots of $$$$$$$$$$$$, and nearly 20 years of studying the caves in either my geologic consulting job or personal research.

Jerry

[SuPrBuGmAn]

It was on a Laffy Taffy wrapper?

[Squirrel Girl]

There is a GREAT article about the origin of these caves (and the related shells) in the new cave diving book.

You don't say?

I knew people would like it.

[BabyDuck]

hee hee! we were there this week & there were several clean white not-attached-to-rock scallop shells at the bottom of sue's. those, i think, are leftovers from someone's dinner!