Ash Grove Cement Quarry Field Trip
Sunday, May 7 @ 12:45 PM CST
This quarry is just southwest of Dallas near Midlothian off state Hwy 67. We’ll be collecting the ATCO member of the Austin Chalk just above the Eagle Ford Shale (Upper Cretaceous Period). In this narrow horizon, we’ll be looking principally for shark teeth: Cretodus, Cretoxyrhina, Ptychodus, Squalicorax and other shark and ray teeth. Other possible finds include marine vertebrates such as mosasaur, turtle and bony fish material in addition to the usual assortment of marine invertebrates.
The good news is that no collectors have been in this quarry in over a year. Not so good news is that this cement quarry is very different from Martin Marietta in that as far as we know, they have not maintained their shale pits for years, so there may be few spots where the shark-tooth producing ‘contact’ is exposed. Shark teeth will be found, BUT we’re not sure how overgrown the productive areas are.
The quarry has limited us to 50 people. Society management has been given first priority to sign-up for the trip in reparation for the time they dedicate to the DPS. (You may want to consider volunteering). Then, ADULT DPS MEMBERS whose memberships are current will be able to SIGNUP starting Monday, April 24 at noon. Signup is via our website: www.dallaspalo.org where you must log in then select ‘Events and Trips’. If the attendance limit has not been reached by Sunday, April 30 at noon, then the signups will be opened to families which can include children at least 12 years old.
Those making the sign-up list will be provided a map to the meeting place (not the main plant entrance) and will be asked to download, print and sign the company’s Recreational Use Release form to be turned in on the day of the trip. We will send out this information to them after the signup limit is reached.
We will collect from 1:00 – 5:00 PM. Closed-toed shoes (ankle-high boots are best) and eye protection are required. People need to bring their own eye protection, if possible, but the quarry does have a limited supply, if needed. The quarry will also require wear high-visibility, safety vests which will be provided. Most of the collecting is on the surface, but you may need a rock hammer as well as suitable collecting containers. Insect repellent may be useful since some of the areas are overgrown or contain mosquitos. The usual hydration and sun protection is wise.
People can leave the field trip and exit the quarry whenever they want.
Contact Roger Farish with questions: rffarish@verizon.net or 972-898-2700 on trip day.
Thanks to Sveta Earnest for gaining access to this quarry for our Society.
The DPS is a group of professional and amateur paleontologists that want to exchange information, interact, and continue their education in paleontology. We meet once a month on the second Wednesday evening of the month at Brookhaven College, Building H.
