A 3D laser surface scan of the fossil ammonite Metrolytoceras metretum, specimen BGS GSM 37292. The fossil originates from the Inferior Oolite Group of the Jurassic period, collected near Sherborne, Dorset, and is held in the British Geological Survey's Type and Stratigraphical Reference Collection.
Use Cases
- Generate a high-resolution 3D mesh from the laser scan data for digital preservation of the Metrolytoceras metretum specimen.
- Analyze surface morphology and suture patterns from the 3D scan for paleontological classification and study.
- Use the scan's spatial data to create comparative visualizations against other ammonite species from the Jurassic period.
- Integrate the 3D model with geographic metadata (location near Sherborne, Dorset) for geological context in educational displays.
Strengths
- Data represents a physical specimen from the authoritative British Geological Survey Type and Stratigraphical Reference Collection.
- Scan captures a fossil from a specific geological period (Jurassic) and formation (Inferior Oolite Group).
- Includes precise specimen identification (BGS GSM 37292) and taxonomic classification (Metrolytoceras metretum).
Limitations
- Dataset scope is a single specimen scan; not a large collection for statistical analysis.
- Lack of provided metadata on scan resolution, file format, or point cloud density limits technical assessment.
- Temporal coverage is fixed to the fossil's age, with no time-series or repeated measurements.
Provenance
- Source
- British Geological Survey (BGS)
- Collection Method
- 3D laser surface scanning of a physical fossil specimen.
- Time Range
- Jurassic period (Inferior Oolite Group).
- Freshness
- null
- Geography
- Near Sherborne, Dorset, United Kingdom.