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Recently Asked
“Can a mineral such as jasper which is composed mostly of Si, morph into something that is composed mostly of Ca?”
Ken, Ventura - March 31, 2021
“I found a piece of, what appears to be, petrified wood on a Santa Barbara beach agaist the cliffs. Is this a piece that the museum would be interested in given I obtain proper permissions to retrieve?...”
Ted, Santa Barbara - March 13, 2021
“While beach combing one day, we found a large rock that looked rusted, and when we picked it up it was very heavy. A few chucks of the outer layer fell off and revealed a metallic interior. We brought...”
B Vigil, Carpinteria, CA - February 21, 2021
“I found this while digging in a creek bed on our property ( Cold Spring area) My question is, "what is it?"
Thank you for your time.”
David, Cold Spring area, Montecito - November 12, 2020
“I know that garnets come in several different colors but I'm not too sure about all of the different shapes these stones are found in. You can pick most of these up with a typical magnet. ”
Ken, Ventura - September 21, 2020
“Hello,
A few months ago I came upon this very odd looking coastal rock formation that I initially mistook to be a rotted piece of old driftwood. But examining it closer, saw it is pure stone. Could i...”
Todd Cook, Wilmore, KY - September 16, 2020
“Were building on the Mesa and dug up a sea shell fossil. I'm wondering if you can tell me more aboiut it. I have attached an image but am happy to bring it over if you would like.
Kind regards,
Lyn...”
Lynn, the Mesa in Santa Barbara - August 31, 2020
“I found shells in a rock face on Vandenberg Air Force Base. Are these considered fossils? Thank you”
Jacob - February 23, 2020
“I found this six inch long vertebrae fossil on a slope near Buellton, any idea what it could be from?”
Chad, Santa Barbara - January 28, 2020
“HI! I found this before ten years. Is it possible to identify if it is an egg?”
Dimitrios, Greece - January 27, 2020
“I have no idea what these rocks are. I need help in identifying.”
Linda Schmidt, Whitewater, Kansas - November 9, 2019
“My friend gave me a bunch of fossils before he died at the age of 99. I have 2 large shells which he found on his ranch in Camarillo years ago.
I would love to donate them to anyone! Do you know any...”
Johanna, Santa Barbara - October 22, 2019
“I found an egg that is about five inches around and looks very old. I would like to send you a picture of it so you can give me your thoughts.
Thank you.”
Dave, Camarillo, CA - June 23, 2019
“Hello, recently my son and I were at Santa Claus Ln. beach and digging in the sand. We found this rock and were wondering if it could possibly be a meteorite? Magnets stick to it and a compass is affe...”
Roger Williams, Santa Barbara - April 11, 2019
“Hi Curators,
We take frequent walks along Hendry’s beach and over the years have collected “tons” of rocks, sea glass, and a few occasional transportable whale bone fossils. I came across one specim...”
Jeff, Bel Air Knolls - May 25, 2018
“I have come across a very interesting rock on a friends property above the Ojai Valley. Looking for someone who might have some idea what it is. Any help is appreciated.
Thanks,
Nile”
Nile, Ojai - May 22, 2018
“Dear Curators,
My friend has a fossil collection. He sometimes adds stuff to it from local beaches. Is this legal?”
John, Goleta - April 16, 2018