Elrathia is a genus of ptychopariid trilobite that lived during the Middle Cambrian period. They are incredibly common and popular among beginning fossil collectors, typically found as distinct, flattened impressions within the dark, soft Wheeler Shale of Utah.
Transparency
Opaque
Is this elrathia?
2-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Name the organismDecide what left the fossil before worrying about the rock. Organism: Trilobite (genus Elrathia). Age: Middle Cambrian.
- 2Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brown, gray, black.
Often found alongside elrathia
Minerals reported to co-occur with elrathia. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Collector, Decorative
- Host rock
- sedimentary shale
- Organism
- Trilobite (genus Elrathia)
- Age
- Middle Cambrian
Where rockhounds find elrathia
Classic worldwide localities
- Wheeler Shale, Utah, USA
- House Range, Utah, USA
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: sedimentary shale. If you start seeing calcite, shale in float, you are in the right ground.
Common questions
Where is elrathia found?+
Notable localities include Wheeler Shale, Utah, USA; House Range, Utah, USA.
What minerals are found with elrathia?+
Elrathia commonly co-occurs with calcite, shale. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.
What kind of rock does elrathia form in?+
Where it forms: sedimentary shale. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.
What is elrathia used for?+
Elrathia is used in collector, decorative.
Find elrathia on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
