The structure of the trace fossil is cylindrical and elongated in shape, usually at a perpendicular angle to the surface where it has been deposited. They can reach lengths of up to about 35 cm (14 in) and diameters of up to about 5 cm (2.0 in). The vertical burrows are composed of the same mineralogy as its surrounding matrix which allow it to deform homogenously with the parent rock. Variations in observed Skolithos structures include burrow curvature, angle to the plane of deposition, and size of the fossil’s aperture. Funnel-shaped apertures of Skolithos reflect the filter- and suspension-feeding habits of burrowing genera. The high intensity of bioturbation of these organisms indicate the shallow water paleoenvironment in which the Skolithos burrows formed shortly after the deposition of the bed.
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The structure length and orientation may be influenced by the directional behaviour of the burrowing organism, therefore observing the widths of the burrow may provide a more precise strain estimation.
Assumptions regarding the undeformed burrow and its geometric relationship cannot directly be determined, and only estimated. While it is common for Skolithos burrows to form normal to the deposition plane, this is not always true, in which case, the ideal, undeformed state can no longer be used as a reference orientation. Shallow depositional sediments are also susceptible to damage by erosion and tectonic stress forces, which can influence average measurements and geometric orientations. Since the rheological properties between the structure and the host rock are usually very similar, observations of the fossils are conducted with the assumption that they have deformed homogeneously, where the deformation forces are distributed evenly along the entire deformation zone. This is directly contradicted by the presence of folding and varying elongation measurements of the fossil at different locations in the same deformation zone. Deformation mechanisms are difficult to distinguish using this strain marker, as the thinning and flattening of the highly deformed rocks where they are found, cannot necessarily be attributed to pure shear since the planes may have simply rotated near parallel to the shear plane. It is therefore only possible to make accurate strain determinations of the host rock provided the correct assumption of the deformation mechanism and original measurements.
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Knaust, Dirk; Thomas, Roger D.K.; Curran, H. Allen (October 2018). "Skolithos linearis Haldeman, 1840 at its early Cambrian type locality, Chickies Rock, Pennsylvania: Analysis and designation of a neotype". Earth-Science Reviews. 185: 15–31. Bibcode:2018ESRv..185...15K. doi:10.1016/j.earscirev.2018.05.009. S2CID 134131531. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
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Woolfe, K.J. (1990). "Trace fossils as paleoenvironmental indicators in the Taylor Group (Devonian) of Antarctica". Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology. 80 (3–4): 301–310. Bibcode:1990PPP....80..301W. doi:10.1016/0031-0182(90)90139-X. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
Wilkinson, P.; Soper, N.J.; Bell, A.M. (October 1975). "Skolithos pipes as strain markers in mylonites". Tectonophysics. 28 (3): 143–157. Bibcode:1975Tectp..28..143W. doi:10.1016/0040-1951(75)90033-5. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
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Wilkinson, P.; Soper, N.J.; Bell, A.M. (October 1975). "Skolithos pipes as strain markers in mylonites". Tectonophysics. 28 (3): 143–157. Bibcode:1975Tectp..28..143W. doi:10.1016/0040-1951(75)90033-5. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
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Law, R. D.; Mainprice, D.; Casey, M.; Lloyd, G. E.; Knipe, R. J.; Cook, B.; Thigpen, J. R. (2010). "Moine Thrust zone mylonites at the Stack of Glencoul: I – microstructures, strain and influence of recrystallization on quartz crystal fabric development". Geological Society, London, Special Publications. 335 (1): 543–577. Bibcode:2010GSLSP.335..543L. doi:10.1144/SP335.23. ISSN 0305-8719. S2CID 73567897. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
Law, R. D.; Mainprice, D.; Casey, M.; Lloyd, G. E.; Knipe, R. J.; Cook, B.; Thigpen, J. R. (2010). "Moine Thrust zone mylonites at the Stack of Glencoul: I – microstructures, strain and influence of recrystallization on quartz crystal fabric development". Geological Society, London, Special Publications. 335 (1): 543–577. Bibcode:2010GSLSP.335..543L. doi:10.1144/SP335.23. ISSN 0305-8719. S2CID 73567897. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
Law, R. D.; Mainprice, D.; Casey, M.; Lloyd, G. E.; Knipe, R. J.; Cook, B.; Thigpen, J. R. (2010). "Moine Thrust zone mylonites at the Stack of Glencoul: I – microstructures, strain and influence of recrystallization on quartz crystal fabric development". Geological Society, London, Special Publications. 335 (1): 543–577. Bibcode:2010GSLSP.335..543L. doi:10.1144/SP335.23. ISSN 0305-8719. S2CID 73567897. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
Wilkinson, P.; Soper, N.J.; Bell, A.M. (October 1975). "Skolithos pipes as strain markers in mylonites". Tectonophysics. 28 (3): 143–157. Bibcode:1975Tectp..28..143W. doi:10.1016/0040-1951(75)90033-5. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
McLeish, Andrew J. (December 1971). "Strain analysis of deformed Pipe Rock in the Moine Thrust zone, northwest Scotland". Tectonophysics. 12 (6): 469–503. Bibcode:1971Tectp..12..469M. doi:10.1016/0040-1951(71)90046-1. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
McLeish, Andrew J. (December 1971). "Strain analysis of deformed Pipe Rock in the Moine Thrust zone, northwest Scotland". Tectonophysics. 12 (6): 469–503. Bibcode:1971Tectp..12..469M. doi:10.1016/0040-1951(71)90046-1. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
Vinn, O.; Wilson, M.A. (2013). "An event bed with abundant Skolithos burrows from the late Pridoli (Silurian) of Saaremaa (Estonia)". Carnets de Géologie. CG2013_L02: 83–87. doi:10.4267/2042/49316. Retrieved 2013-04-04. http://paleopolis.rediris.es/cg/CG2013_L02/index.html
Waldron, John W.F (January 1988). "Determination of finite strain in bedding surfaces using sedimentary structures and trace fossils: A comparison of techniques". Journal of Structural Geology. 10 (3): 273–281. Bibcode:1988JSG....10..273W. doi:10.1016/0191-8141(88)90060-0. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)
McLeish, Andrew J. (December 1971). "Strain analysis of deformed Pipe Rock in the Moine Thrust zone, northwest Scotland". Tectonophysics. 12 (6): 469–503. Bibcode:1971Tectp..12..469M. doi:10.1016/0040-1951(71)90046-1. /wiki/Bibcode_(identifier)