Can you tell the age of a seashell by the number of ridges it has?

Seashells have been found to contain a wealth of information about the age of marine life. While some people believe that you can determine the age of a seashell by counting the ridges on its surface, this method is not always reliable.

Most seashells are formed through a process called biomineralization, which involves the secretion of calcium carbonate by marine organisms. As the animal grows, it will continue to add layers of calcium carbonate to its shell, resulting in the formation of ridges.

However, the number of ridges on a seashell does not necessarily correspond to its age. The formation of ridges can be influenced by a variety of factors, including changes in temperature, water quality, and availability of food.

While counting ridges is not a reliable method for determining the age of a seashell, scientists can use a variety of other techniques to estimate its age. For example, they may analyze the isotopes contained within the shell or measure the growth patterns of the animal that formed it.