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Lava Gap, Sheep Mtn

Soccoro County, New Mexico
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Next site in New MexicoMockingbird Gap · 12 mi

Can I collect here?

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Based on our latest records, with claims updated from the BLM on Oct 9, 2026. Land and claims can change quickly, so check before you go.

Minerals on record here

1 mineral

Recorded here: fossil.

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About Lava Gap, Sheep Mtn

Lava Gap, Sheep Mtn is a fossil collection site in Soccoro, New Mexico, cataloged in the Paleobiology Database. Fossils here come from the Sly Gap Formation, dated to the Frasnian (382.31–372.15 million years ago). The depositional environment is recorded as marine indet. Documented finds include Nervostrophia mucrospina, Pseudoatrypa devoniana, Schizophoria amanaensis, Spinatrypa, Tylothyris.

Geologic setting

Formation
Sly Gap
Geologic interval
Frasnian
Age
382.31–372.15 Ma
Depositional environment
marine indet.
Recorded occurrences
5

Fossils found here

Nervostrophia mucrospina
Strophomenata · Leptostrophiidae
Pseudoatrypa devoniana
Rhynchonellata · Atrypidae
Schizophoria amanaensis
Rhynchonellata · Schizophoriidae
Spinatrypa
Rhynchonellata · Atrypidae
Tylothyris
Rhynchonellata · Mucrospiriferidae

Records and references

Data: Paleobiology Database collection 54776 (CC BY 4.0) — view the source record

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Questions about Lava Gap, Sheep Mtn

Can you collect at Lava Gap, Sheep Mtn?

It depends on who owns the land and whether a mining claim covers it. BLM land usually allows hand collecting for personal use, national parks allow none, and private land needs the owner’s permission. Pro members see the owner and any claims at this spot.

What minerals are found at Lava Gap, Sheep Mtn?

Fossil.

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What to bring

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Meteorite nearbyA 3.6 kg iron meteorite was found at Oscuro Mountains in 1895, 19 miles from here.

Source: Paleobiology Database.