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4.8" Proterozoic Stromatolite (Collenia) Slab - Minnesota
This is a 4.8" stromatolite (Collenia undosa) slab from the Biwabik Iron Formation in Minnesota. The red colors are a result of hematite and most of the stromatolite columns are translucent. Because of this, the slab has been cut thin for backlighting (1st photo) , which can be seen in one of the photos above. One side of the slab has been lightly coated to bring out the stromatolite's detail.
It comes with an acrylic display stand.
It 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.
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.
SPECIES
Collenia undosa
LOCATION
Mesabi Iron Range, Minnesota
FORMATION
Biwabik Iron Formation
SIZE
4.8 x 2.45", .1" thick
CATEGORY
ITEM
#299962
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