The Cadiz Trilobite Quarry, also called the Marble Mountain Rock Collecting Area, is a small area with outcrops of fossil-bearing shale southeast of the ghost town of Cadiz. Trilobites here occur in the Latham Shale, a greenish to brownish shale dating from the lower Cambrian (about 518 mya). These trilobites belong to the family Olenellidae (commonly called olenellids). Extinct blue-green algae (genus Girvanella) are common too. Link to additional information about the area.
Access to the site is via dirt and sand roads that generally are fine for 2WD vehicles, but conditions change, so walk rather than risk getting stuck. The quarry sites are on the prow of a hill above the access road. The area has been quarried for years, so follow the old road, looking for use-trails and quarry pits.
Marble Mountain Rock Collecting Area
Link to map. |