March Presentation: The Ruck's Pit in Fort Drum, Florida, Source of Fossil Clams Filled with Golden Calcite Crystals, presented by Dan Teich

by Laura Dwyer, MSDC Member

Golden calcite crystals inside a fossilized clam shell (*Mercenaria permagna*) from Rucks Pit, Fort Drum, Florida.

Just north of Lake Okeechobee is Ruck's Pit in Fort Drum, Florida. This area has produced unique and world-class fossil Mercenaria permagna clams, filled with golden calcite crystals. Our speaker, MSDC's president Dan Teich, will detail the site and its history. He will describe the unique mineralogy present at the pit and show how an ancient sandbar filled with clams turned to stone with a golden surprise. These crystals and fossils are at the junction of mineralogy, geology, and paleontology, presenting a cross-discipline discussion.

Ruck's Pit Calcite Clam. Photo from Rockhounding Florida.

While not classically trained in geology or mineralogy, Dan Teich has maintained a steadfast interest in the minerals of New Jersey for more than 30 years, amassing an extensive collection. His main interest is site-specific to the Chimney Rock Quarry in Bound Brook / Bridgewater, New Jersey.

Dan is an active field collector, exploring New Jersey and areas beyond. A passion of his includes bringing younger people into the hobby of mineralogy and mineral collecting. He holds a doctorate in veterinary medicine from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine and an undergrad degree in animal science from Rutgers University.