EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


Opalized Fossil of a Cycad Cone

January 06, 2023


Mila_cycad (003)

Photographer: Mila Zinkova

Summary Author: Mila Zinkova

Shown above is an opalized cycad cone fossil (31 x 11 x 9 mm) that
was found in Lighting Ridge, Australia. Fossil cycads, dating from the
Mesozoic, have been uncovered on every continent. These very
ancient group of seed plants are thought to be a sister group to all
other living seed plants.

Most fossil cycads are called cycadeoids and are classified
scientifically in the order Bennettitales. During the Jurassic,
cycads and their kin, along with conifers and ginkgos, dominated
the plant kingdom. They remain extant and are commonly referred to
as living fossils.

On occasion, cycad fossils are opalized. If a cavity in a rocky
surface resulted when a living organism, such as a shell or pinecone,
was buried in sand or clay and then rotted away, an opalized cast or
fossil replica may form of the object that was buried. Click here
to see a video of this fossil, which also includes clips of a modern
cycad.


Lighting Ridge, Australia Coordinates: -29.4278, 147.9790


Related EPODs

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More...

Geology Links

* Earthquakes
* Geologic Time
* Geomagnetism
* General Dictionary of Geology
* Mineral and Locality Database
* Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness
* This Dynamic Earth
* USGS
* MyShake - University of California, Berkeley
* USGS Ask a Geologist
* USGS/NPS Geologic Glossary
* USGS Volcano Hazards Program

-
Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the Universities
Space Research Association.

https://epod.usra.edu

--- up 44 weeks, 6 days, 21 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (21:1/186)

EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


Blooming Hibiscus

February 08, 2023


2022 July 1 - Hibisicus

Photographer: Cindy Todd

Summary Author: Cindy Todd

The hibiscus is a beautiful flowering plant that's indigenous to
tropical environments. It’s known for its large, eye-catching blooms
and vibrant colors. However, hibiscus (from the mallow family) can
also be grown in temperate weather environments with a little care. I
took this photo in Arroyo Grande, California, about 100 miles (160
km) northwest of Los Angeles. Hibiscus is classified as a
nyctinasty plant, which means it closes its blooms at night and
reopens them during the day, thereby protecting them from the cold.
Photo taken on July 1, 2022.


Arroyo Grande, California Coordinates: 35.1186, -120.5907


Related EPODs

Blooming Hibiscus Pincushion Cactus Bird's Nest Ferns in
Singapore Dalene Matthee Big Tree Patterns in the
Dieffenbachia Plant Lace Lichen
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Plant Links

* Discover Life
* Tree Encyclopedia
* What are Phytoplankton?
* Encyclopedia of Life - What is a Plant?
* USDA Plants Database
* University of Texas Native Plant Database
* Plants in Motion
* What Tree is It?

-
Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the Universities
Space Research Association.

https://epod.usra.edu

--- up 49 weeks, 2 days, 21 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (21:1/186)