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Picking rocks

Interesting question CJD! I would think there would be multiple variables. One variable would be the freeze/thaw. IF you have a hard freeze that stays frozen all winter, my thinking is less movement versus a winter where we have freeze/thaw/freeze/thaw/freeze/thaw/etc. Other contributing factors might be with the soil density. Loamy soils, clay soils, sandy soils, etc would probably be different. When we do paver or retaining wall jobs, these are factors to consider. Which soil type is in the area is partially what dictates how you lay down your base. Just some things to think about. I certainly don't have an answer for you but I would believe these elements of the puzzle would factor into the equation.
 
I don't have a good understanding how rocks move in the soil. I would think if a rock is more dense then the soil it would tend to "sink" rather then "float". Now maybe sandstone is less dense then soil but I don't really know. The biggest reasons rocks surface is tillage and erosion. Chisel plows are great at pulling rocks to the surface. Since I no-till most of the ground at home less rocks get pulled up.

BTW Phil does your old lady know you use a hoe to get your rocks off?
 
Ohiosam said:
I don't have a good understanding how rocks move in the soil. I would think if a rock is more dense then the soil it would tend to "sink" rather then "float". Now maybe sandstone is less dense then soil but I don't really know. The biggest reasons rocks surface is tillage and erosion. Chisel plows are great at pulling rocks to the surface. Since I no-till most of the ground at home less rocks get pulled up.

Great points. Hadn't even thought about erosion. I would have to agree as that being a contributing factor as well.

BTW Phil does your old lady know you use a hoe to get your rocks off?
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No. She thinks it is rosey. She is clueless about the backhoe. :smiley_crocodile:

There is a dump truck locally that has "Get your rocks off" in vinyl lettering across his tailgate. This thread reminded me of that guy for some crazy reason. lol
 
Here's the coolest rock I ever found. Fossilized coral(I think) and sea shells. It's about 10-12 inches across. I'm a long ways for any ocean so it makes you wonder how it got here.

fossils.jpg
 
Seashell fossils have been found at the top of the Himalayas from upward folding via plate tectonics.

The same can be said for our area. We were submerged at one time. You just provided proof.

I found a rock similar in an area that was strip mined on Mingo Sportsman property here in Jeff County. Crazy...
 
At one time, Roughly 400 million years ago, most of OH and PA were under a shallow ocean. We have hit a coral reef 5-6,000 foot down while drilling.
Very Cool fossil Sam!
 
Mike, I bet that one came in with the glaciers too because it is rounded.

This fern fossil I found in shale has sharper edges and more likely home grown.
fernfossil.jpg


However they got here it still boogles the mind trying to imagine the journey in time and possibly distance.
 
Jim if that coral was 5000 ft deep and 400 million years old my calculator says that .0000125 inches of soil per year was added on top. My feeble mind has trouble grasping numbers like those.

That should be feet not inches.
 
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Ohiosam said:
Jim if that coral was 5000 ft deep and 400 million years old my calculator says that .0000125 inches of soil per year was added on top. My feeble mind has trouble grasping numbers like those.

That should be feet not inches.
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I know Sam. The Marcellus formation was covered in a large land-slide off the Appalachian mt. range during a time when they were an active volcano string.In there day, they were bigger than the rockies are today I'm told.
Its kinda wild to think of all that layering for so many years.
Civil war items can be found just a 2-3 inches down...
 
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