Geologist Brushes Ammonite Fossil from Lagos Shale

Soft, diffused light falls through low-hanging gray clouds over the coastal cliffs near Lagos. A geologist stands in profile against a vast expanse of wet, dark shale, their figure small within the negative space. They hold a fine brush, gently sweeping away loose dirt to reveal the intricate, spiraled whorls of an ammonite fossil embedded in the rock face. The stone appears slick with recent rain, against the dry, dusty ground beneath the figure's boots. Fine sediment particles float momentarily in the air before settling on the exposed fossil. The spiral of the ancient shell catches a faint highlight, distinguishing its smooth, calcified texture from the rough, fractured matrix of the surrounding rock.