Huge, 23.3" Polished Domal Stromatolite Slab - Western Australia

This is a huge, thick polished slab of Mesoproterozoic (~1.1 billion years old) domal stromatolites, collected from the Irregully Formation near Paraburdoo, Western Australia. These stromatolites have yet to be formally identified. One side has been nicely polished to a glossy finish to highlight the colorful details. The slab measures 23.3" by 15.6" and is .8" thick.

Upon request, we can add a backing and wall hanging hardware to the specimen. Otherwise it is accompanied by a metal 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.
FOR SALE
$1,950
DETAILS
SPECIES
Unidentified
LOCATION
Near Paraburdoo, Western Australia
FORMATION
Irregully Formation
SIZE
23.3 x 15.6", .8" thick
CATEGORY
ITEM
#239345
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