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Messel Mine, Messel, Darmstadt-Dieburg, Darmstadt, Hesse, Germanyi
Regional Level Types
Messel MineMine (Tourist Attraction)
MesselMunicipality
Darmstadt-DieburgDistrict
DarmstadtRegion
HesseCity-State
GermanyCountry

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PhotosMapsSearchMineralogy
06535400017272042853029.jpg
View of the Messel oil shale mining area, in 1899.

Messel Mine, Messel, Darmstadt-Dieburg, Darmstadt, Hesse, Germany
02795130017272042868857.jpg
View of the Messel oil shale mining area, in June, 1925.

Messel Mine, Messel, Darmstadt-Dieburg, Darmstadt, Hesse, Germany
00570420017272042874425.jpg
Geological cross-section through the Messel deposit, in 1933.

Messel Mine, Messel, Darmstadt-Dieburg, Darmstadt, Hesse, Germany
06535400017272042853029.jpg
View of the Messel oil shale mining area, in 1899.

Messel Mine, Messel, Darmstadt-Dieburg, Darmstadt, Hesse, Germany
02795130017272042868857.jpg
View of the Messel oil shale mining area, in June, 1925.

Messel Mine, Messel, Darmstadt-Dieburg, Darmstadt, Hesse, Germany
00570420017272042874425.jpg
Geological cross-section through the Messel deposit, in 1933.

Messel Mine, Messel, Darmstadt-Dieburg, Darmstadt, Hesse, Germany
05322400017272042916711.jpg
View of the Messel oil shale mining area, in 1899.

Messel Mine, Messel, Darmstadt-Dieburg, Darmstadt, Hesse, Germany
02795130017272042868857.jpg
View of the Messel oil shale mining area, in June, 1925.

Messel Mine, Messel, Darmstadt-Dieburg, Darmstadt, Hesse, Germany
Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):
49° 55' 6'' North , 8° 45' 30'' East
Latitude & Longitude (decimal):
49.91850,8.75860
GRN:
N34E05
Type:
Mine (Tourist Attraction) - last checked 2026
Age:
56.0 to 33.9 Ma
Geologic Time:
Eocene
Köppen climate type:
Cfb : Temperate oceanic climate
Nearest Settlements:
PlacePopulationDistance
Messel3,916 (2011)2.6km
Roßdorf12,199 (2015)6.5km
Dieburg15,168 (2015)6.7km
Groß-Zimmern13,870 (2015)7.2km
Eppertshausen5,838 (2011)7.7km
Mindat Locality ID:
17579
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:2:17579:6
GUID (UUID V4):
0
Other Languages:
German:
Grube Messel, Messel, Landkreis Darmstadt-Dieburg, Regierungsbezirk Darmstadt, Hessen, Deutschland


Located 2.5 km SSE of Messel and about 9 km NE of Darmstadt. Famous for its well-preserved fossils of Lutetian age. Protected area.

Select Mineral List Type

Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Commodity List

This is a list of exploitable or exploited mineral commodities recorded at this locality.


Mineral List


16 valid minerals. 1 (TL) - type locality of valid minerals.

Rock Types Recorded


Select Rock List Type

Alphabetical List Tree Diagram

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ Anapaite
Formula: Ca2Fe2+(PO4)2 · 4H2O
ⓘ 'Biotite'
Formula: K(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
ⓘ Dondoellite
Formula: Ca2Fe(PO4)2 · 2H2O
ⓘ Gypsum
Formula: CaSO4 · 2H2O
ⓘ Gypsum var. Selenite
Formula: CaSO4 · 2H2O
ⓘ Halotrichite
Formula: Fe2+Al2(SO4)4 · 22H2O
ⓘ Kaolinite
Formula: Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4
ⓘ Mantienneite
Formula: KMg2Al2Ti(PO4)4(OH)3 · 15H2O
ⓘ Marcasite
Formula: FeS2
ⓘ Melanterite
Formula: Fe2+(H2O)6(SO4) · H2O
ⓘ Messelite (TL)
Formula: Ca2Fe2+(PO4)2 · 2H2O
Type Locality:
ⓘ Montgomeryite
Formula: Ca4MgAl4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 12H2O
ⓘ Montmorillonite
Formula: (Na,Ca)0.33(Al,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O
ⓘ Muscovite
Formula: KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
ⓘ Muscovite var. Illite
Formula: K0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2
ⓘ Native Sulphur
Formula: S8
ⓘ Pyrite
Formula: FeS2
ⓘ Siderite
Formula: FeCO3
ⓘ 'Smectite Group'
Formula: A0.3D2-3[T4O10]Z2 · nH2O
ⓘ 'Spinel Subgroup'
Formula: A2+D3+2O4
ⓘ Vivianite
Formula: Fe2+Fe2+2(PO4)2 · 8H2O

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 1 - Elements
ⓘNative Sulphur1.CC.05S8
Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts
ⓘPyrite2.EB.05aFeS2
ⓘMarcasite2.EB.10aFeS2
Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates
ⓘSiderite5.AB.05FeCO3
Group 7 - Sulphates, Chromates, Molybdates and Tungstates
ⓘMelanterite7.CB.35Fe2+(H2O)6(SO4) · H2O
ⓘHalotrichite7.CB.85Fe2+Al2(SO4)4 · 22H2O
ⓘGypsum7.CD.40CaSO4 · 2H2O
ⓘvar. Selenite7.CD.40CaSO4 · 2H2O
Group 8 - Phosphates, Arsenates and Vanadates
ⓘVivianite8.CE.40Fe2+Fe2+2(PO4)2 · 8H2O
ⓘDondoellite8.CG.Ca2Fe(PO4)2 · 2H2O
ⓘMesselite (TL)8.CG.05Ca2Fe2+(PO4)2 · 2H2O
ⓘAnapaite8.CH.10Ca2Fe2+(PO4)2 · 4H2O
ⓘMontgomeryite8.DH.25Ca4MgAl4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 12H2O
ⓘMantienneite8.DH.35KMg2Al2Ti(PO4)4(OH)3 · 15H2O
Group 9 - Silicates
ⓘMuscovite
var. Illite		9.EC.15K0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2
ⓘ9.EC.15KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
ⓘMontmorillonite9.EC.40(Na,Ca)0.33(Al,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O
ⓘKaolinite9.ED.05Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4
Unclassified
ⓘ'Biotite'-K(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
ⓘ'Smectite Group'-A0.3D2-3[T4O10]Z2 · nH2O
ⓘ'Spinel Subgroup'-A2+D3+2O4

List of minerals for each chemical element

HHydrogen
Hⓘ AnapaiteCa2Fe2+(PO4)2 · 4H2O
Hⓘ BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
Hⓘ GypsumCaSO4 · 2H2O
Hⓘ HalotrichiteFe2+Al2(SO4)4 · 22H2O
Hⓘ Muscovite var. IlliteK0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2
Hⓘ KaoliniteAl2(Si2O5)(OH)4
Hⓘ MantienneiteKMg2Al2Ti(PO4)4(OH)3 · 15H2O
Hⓘ MelanteriteFe2+(H2O)6(SO4) · H2O
Hⓘ MesseliteCa2Fe2+(PO4)2 · 2H2O
Hⓘ MontgomeryiteCa4MgAl4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 12H2O
Hⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Hⓘ Montmorillonite(Na,Ca)0.33(Al,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O
Hⓘ VivianiteFe2+Fe22+(PO4)2 · 8H2O
Hⓘ Gypsum var. SeleniteCaSO4 · 2H2O
Hⓘ Smectite GroupA0.3D2-3[T4O10]Z2 · nH2O
Hⓘ DondoelliteCa2Fe(PO4)2 · 2H2O
CCarbon
Cⓘ SideriteFeCO3
OOxygen
Oⓘ AnapaiteCa2Fe2+(PO4)2 · 4H2O
Oⓘ BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
Oⓘ GypsumCaSO4 · 2H2O
Oⓘ HalotrichiteFe2+Al2(SO4)4 · 22H2O
Oⓘ Muscovite var. IlliteK0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2
Oⓘ KaoliniteAl2(Si2O5)(OH)4
Oⓘ MantienneiteKMg2Al2Ti(PO4)4(OH)3 · 15H2O
Oⓘ MelanteriteFe2+(H2O)6(SO4) · H2O
Oⓘ MesseliteCa2Fe2+(PO4)2 · 2H2O
Oⓘ MontgomeryiteCa4MgAl4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 12H2O
Oⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Oⓘ Montmorillonite(Na,Ca)0.33(Al,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O
Oⓘ SideriteFeCO3
Oⓘ VivianiteFe2+Fe22+(PO4)2 · 8H2O
Oⓘ Gypsum var. SeleniteCaSO4 · 2H2O
Oⓘ Smectite GroupA0.3D2-3[T4O10]Z2 · nH2O
Oⓘ Spinel SubgroupA2+D23+O4
Oⓘ DondoelliteCa2Fe(PO4)2 · 2H2O
FFluorine
Fⓘ BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
NaSodium
Naⓘ Montmorillonite(Na,Ca)0.33(Al,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O
MgMagnesium
Mgⓘ BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
Mgⓘ MantienneiteKMg2Al2Ti(PO4)4(OH)3 · 15H2O
Mgⓘ MontgomeryiteCa4MgAl4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 12H2O
Mgⓘ Montmorillonite(Na,Ca)0.33(Al,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O
AlAluminium
Alⓘ BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
Alⓘ HalotrichiteFe2+Al2(SO4)4 · 22H2O
Alⓘ Muscovite var. IlliteK0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2
Alⓘ KaoliniteAl2(Si2O5)(OH)4
Alⓘ MantienneiteKMg2Al2Ti(PO4)4(OH)3 · 15H2O
Alⓘ MontgomeryiteCa4MgAl4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 12H2O
Alⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Alⓘ Montmorillonite(Na,Ca)0.33(Al,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O
SiSilicon
Siⓘ BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
Siⓘ Muscovite var. IlliteK0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2
Siⓘ KaoliniteAl2(Si2O5)(OH)4
Siⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Siⓘ Montmorillonite(Na,Ca)0.33(Al,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O
PPhosphorus
Pⓘ AnapaiteCa2Fe2+(PO4)2 · 4H2O
Pⓘ MantienneiteKMg2Al2Ti(PO4)4(OH)3 · 15H2O
Pⓘ MesseliteCa2Fe2+(PO4)2 · 2H2O
Pⓘ MontgomeryiteCa4MgAl4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 12H2O
Pⓘ VivianiteFe2+Fe22+(PO4)2 · 8H2O
Pⓘ DondoelliteCa2Fe(PO4)2 · 2H2O
SSulfur
Sⓘ GypsumCaSO4 · 2H2O
Sⓘ HalotrichiteFe2+Al2(SO4)4 · 22H2O
Sⓘ MarcasiteFeS2
Sⓘ MelanteriteFe2+(H2O)6(SO4) · H2O
Sⓘ PyriteFeS2
Sⓘ Native SulphurS8
Sⓘ Gypsum var. SeleniteCaSO4 · 2H2O
KPotassium
Kⓘ BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
Kⓘ Muscovite var. IlliteK0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2
Kⓘ MantienneiteKMg2Al2Ti(PO4)4(OH)3 · 15H2O
Kⓘ MuscoviteKAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
CaCalcium
Caⓘ AnapaiteCa2Fe2+(PO4)2 · 4H2O
Caⓘ GypsumCaSO4 · 2H2O
Caⓘ MesseliteCa2Fe2+(PO4)2 · 2H2O
Caⓘ MontgomeryiteCa4MgAl4(PO4)6(OH)4 · 12H2O
Caⓘ Montmorillonite(Na,Ca)0.33(Al,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O
Caⓘ Gypsum var. SeleniteCaSO4 · 2H2O
Caⓘ DondoelliteCa2Fe(PO4)2 · 2H2O
TiTitanium
Tiⓘ BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
Tiⓘ MantienneiteKMg2Al2Ti(PO4)4(OH)3 · 15H2O
FeIron
Feⓘ AnapaiteCa2Fe2+(PO4)2 · 4H2O
Feⓘ BiotiteK(Fe2+/Mg)2(Al/Fe3+/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]2Si2O10)(OH/F)2
Feⓘ HalotrichiteFe2+Al2(SO4)4 · 22H2O
Feⓘ MarcasiteFeS2
Feⓘ MelanteriteFe2+(H2O)6(SO4) · H2O
Feⓘ MesseliteCa2Fe2+(PO4)2 · 2H2O
Feⓘ PyriteFeS2
Feⓘ SideriteFeCO3
Feⓘ VivianiteFe2+Fe22+(PO4)2 · 8H2O
Feⓘ DondoelliteCa2Fe(PO4)2 · 2H2O

Other Databases

Wikipedia:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messel_Pit

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

Eurasian PlateTectonic Plate
EuropeContinent

This page contains all mineral locality references listed on mindat.org. This does not claim to be a complete list. If you know of more minerals from this site, please register so you can add to our database. This locality information is for reference purposes only. You should never attempt to visit any sites listed in mindat.org without first ensuring that you have the permission of the land and/or mineral rights holders for access and that you are aware of all safety precautions necessary.

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lutetian
https://www.mineralienatlas.de/lexikon/index.php/LokationGeo?l=9472
Eikamp, H. (1977) Fossilien umbetten: Präparation in Gesteinen mit hohem Wassergehalt. Mineralien-Magazin, 1(1), 36-39.
Der Aufschluss (1980) 6, 192-204.
Graner, Detlev (1987) Die Fossilgrabungen im Ölschiefer der Grube Messel (Messel- Formation, Mitteleozän) bei Darmstadt. Jahresberichte und Mitteilungen des Oberrheinischen Geologischen Vereins, 69. 149-169 doi:10.1127/jmogv/69/1987/149
www.hlmd.de (n.d.) http://www.hlmd.de
Molek, Herward, Harms, Franz-Jürgen, Nix, Thomas, Aderhold, Gabriele (2001) Neues zur Geologie und Ingenieurgeologie des UNESCO-Welterbes Grube Messel bei Darmstadt (Südhessen). Jahresberichte und Mitteilungen des Oberrheinischen Geologischen Vereins, 83. 285-292 doi:10.1127/jmogv/83/2001/285
www.senckenberg.de (n.d.) http://www.senckenberg.de
www.messelmuseum.de (n.d.) http://www.messelmuseum.de
www.grube-messel.de (2004) http://www.grube-messel.de
Reykdal, Helene (2020) Djevelgropa i Messel [The Devil's Pit in Messel]. STEIN. Magasin for populærgeologi, 47 (1). p.22-25.
Liesegang, M., Wuttke, M. (2022): Lithogenesis of a phosphatized tephra marker horizon in the Eocene Messel maar lake. Int. J. Earth Sci. (Geol. Rundsch) (online first). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-022-02241-x
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