sedimentary
Megalodon Shark Tooth Fossil
Otodus megalodon (fossilized in sedimentary matrix)
Hardness: 5 (Mohs scale), Color: Varying shades of gray, brown, and black due to permineralization, Luster: Vitreous to dull, Crystal Structure: Cryptocrystalline (Apatite replacement), Specific Gravity: ~3.1
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Physical properties
Hardness: 5 (Mohs scale), Color: Varying shades of gray, brown, and black due to permineralization, Luster: Vitreous to dull, Crystal Structure: Cryptocrystalline (Apatite replacement), Specific Gravity: ~3.1
Formation & geological history
Formed during the Miocene to Pliocene epochs (approx. 23 to 3.6 million years ago). The biological material was replaced by minerals like silica or phosphate in marine sedimentary environments.
Uses & applications
Primarily for scientific study, museum display, private fossil collecting, and occasionally used in high-end unique jewelry.
Geological facts
Megalodon was the largest shark to ever live, reaching lengths of up to 50-60 feet. Their teeth are the most common fossils found because sharks go through thousands of teeth in a lifetime.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by looking for the distinct triangular shape, fine serrations on the edges, and the 'bourlette' (the V-shaped area between the root and the enamel). Commonly found in coastal areas of South Carolina, Florida, and Morocco.
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