Agatized Coral Fossil (Florida)

AGATIZED CORAL FOSSIL Tampa Bay Florida Each Side Apx. 6.8 x 2.75 x 1.2 Inches 17.5 x 7 x 3 Centimeters Cabinet Ancient fossilized coral from the Eocene to Miocene age - Approximately 25 million years old! The ancient coral reefs in the area now known as Tampa Bay were buried under layers of sediment carried in by riverways. From Rock&Gem: Florida agatized corals are the skeletal remains of colonial animals, known as anthozoans, that died 25 to 38 million years ago. The actual skeletal structures are very easy to see in some specimens and can be used to identify the coral species. The skeletons consist of limestone (CaCO3) and the coral becomes agatized when the coral voids are filled with silica-rich water and the limestone is replaced by chalcedony quartz (SiO2) and common opal. Chalcedony that is translucent and colored is called agate.