4.5" Paleoproterozoic Columnar Stromatolite (Eucapsiphora) - Australia

This is a cut/polished slab of a Paleoproterozoic stromatolite (Eucapsiphora leakensis) from the Mount Leake Sandstone, Earaheedy Group, which is near the town of Meekatharra in Western Australia. These deposits are from the Paleoproterozoic (1.6 - 2.5 billion years old) geological era. They are believed to have grown in a sandy tidal flat or braided river channel, environment.

This specimen comes with an acrylic display stand.

Stromatolites are the layered trace fossils of microbial life, primarily cyanobacteria. Some of them date back an astounding 3.4 billion years, making them the oldest record of life on Earth! Stromatolites and Microbialites were typically formed in shallow water by the growth of layer upon layer of cyanobacteria, a single-celled, photosynthesizing microbe. These layers often form very beautiful and colorful banded structures in the rock.

These oxygen-producing cyanobacteria were so simple they lacked a DNA-packaging nucleus, but were responsible for possibly the largest changes the earth has undergone. They were the only major source of atmospheric oxygen critical for the development of more complex life.
SOLD
DETAILS
SPECIES
Eucapsiphora leakensis
LOCATION
Earaheedy Group, Meekatharra, Western Australia
FORMATION
Mount Leake Sandstone
SIZE
4.5 x 3.2", .95" thick
CATEGORY
ITEM
#65521
GUARANTEE
We guarantee the authenticity of all of our
specimens. Read more about our
Authenticity Guarantee.