What is chert?

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Postby Wayne Harrison » Mar 31, 2006 11:45 am

CHERT HAPPENS
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Postby bigalpha » Mar 31, 2006 12:37 pm

Prof of mine has a sign "Coprolites Happen"
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Postby Wayne Harrison » Mar 31, 2006 1:16 pm

Chert is funnier because it's closer to the original saying.

BTW, I know funnier is not a word.
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Postby bigalpha » Mar 31, 2006 2:32 pm

What's the original saying?
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What is chert?

Postby Larry E. Matthews » Apr 3, 2006 3:53 pm

Chert is a microscopically grained quartz mineral of various colors that forms beds, lenses, and nodules in limestone. If it is black and shiny, we often call it flint.

Chert was widely used here in Tennessee by prehistoric peoples to make their stone tools.
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Postby hewhocaves » Apr 4, 2006 12:29 pm

well. this discussion ends quickly. lol
250th post! whee!

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Postby bigalpha » Apr 4, 2006 1:39 pm

well, john...there's not much to say about chert :panic:
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Postby hewhocaves » Apr 5, 2006 2:09 pm

bigalpha wrote:well, john...there's not much to say about chert :panic:


yep. chert and sweet!
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Postby bigalpha » Apr 5, 2006 6:24 pm

:panic:


I love it.
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Postby hewhocaves » Apr 6, 2006 10:56 am

keep it up and you'll get dizzy!
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Postby Amemeba » Apr 16, 2006 9:08 pm

Teresa wrote:Just because there are multiple formation pathways doesn't mean it isn't understood. It just takes more chemistry/biogeochemistry than is generally comfortable to endure.

The trouble is: there is no money in researching chert as there is in other mineral species. Most of the actual chert experts I have corresponded with have been anthropologists, not geologists. Now, those folks can look at a chert rock and tell you where it is from, why it is there, and what it is generally used for. It's fairly amazing compared with the 'duhs' I've gotten from many geos.

Nothing in this world is *completely* understood, IMO.

But disregarding the ultimate unknowability of the universe, it sounds like they've got a pretty good handle on what's going on.

You don't need to be so condescending, Barbara, with your 'doodette' remark. I can assure you I am no such thing.


Speaking for the good people of Alabama I can tell you that "chert" is one of those words that have wide utility because of, not in spite of, it's indefinite meaning.

Here geologists are in perfect tune with a Mississippian shale facies being called the Ft. Payne Chert Formation, and archaeologists, who call chert "flint" when it pleases them, and who at other times call chert "chert" when it doesn't.

Here, many artfully constructed houses and old country stores are constructed of chert rock, and chert has long been a handy material for road metal, much cheaper than asphalt.
Of course, on the downside, chert cuts your feet when you walk on it barefooting.

Hey, the road leading up to my house is chert. These rocks, I think, belong to the Copper Ridge Dolomite Formation of late Cambrian age, which, whenever appropriate, is called the Copper Ridge Chert.

Lately I have found some beautiful "domed stromatolites" in the Copper Ridge Dolomite in Possum Valley near Pinson, Alabama. Stromatolites are structures formed by blue-green algae interacting with non-organic materials to form delightful mounds that can today be found in and as "chert".

In conclusion: Geologists of long experience and high standing in Alabama still argue about the true origin and nature of dolomite and chert.

Say Teresa, I am very impressed with your thinking abilities, but just curious, what exactly is a "doodette"?
And why should you care? :-)
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Postby WYOCAVER » Apr 18, 2006 3:30 pm

Chertainly

I tell new cavers that chert is fossilized fish dodo!!!!!!!!

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Postby Squirrel Girl » Apr 18, 2006 3:58 pm

WYOCAVER wrote:Chertainly

:rofl:

WYOCAVER wrote:I tell new cavers that chert is fossilized fish dodo!!!!!!!!
Nah, that's *glauconite*!
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Chert

Postby WYOCAVER » Apr 18, 2006 8:31 pm

Squirrel Girl, don't you mean "coprolites"??

Glauconite is the type of gun the night shift cops carry!! :tonguecheek:
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Re: Chert

Postby Squirrel Girl » Apr 18, 2006 8:52 pm

WYOCAVER wrote:Squirrel Girl, don't you mean "coprolites"??

Glauconite is the type of gun the night shift cops carry!! :tonguecheek:
Hardy, hardy, hardy, har. :big grin:

My glauconite was formed as casts and replacements of forams. BUT! Most glauconite replaces fecal pellets. Ergo, during school, all my chums endlessly teased me on how my fish turds were doing.
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