Stromatolites are layered sedimentary rocks that were originally formed by the growth of layer upon layer of cyanobacteria, a single-celled photosynthesizing microbe. These oxygen producing cyanobacteria were so simple they lacked 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.
Some stromatolites date back an astounding 3.4 billion years, making them the oldest record of life on planet Earth. These layers often form very beautiful, and colorful banded structures in the rock.
This surface of this slab has been polished for display.
Dimensions: 14.5" x 7.8" x .43"
Species: Tiger Iron Stromatolite
Age: ~3.02 billion years
Era: Mesoarchean
Location: Ord Ranges, W. Australia (Imported legally)
This table contains the geological time periods of the past 2.5 billion years on Earth to aid in understanding age immense age of these fossils.
(Ma = Mega-annum = 1,000,000 years)| EON | ERA | PERIOD | EXTENT (Ma) | DURATION (Ma) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phanerozoic | Cenozoic | Quaternary | 2.588–Present | 2.588+ |
| Neogene | 23.03–2.588 | 20.4 | ||
| Paleogene | 66.0–23.03 | 42.9 | ||
| Mesozoic | Cretaceous | 145.5–66.0 | 79.5 | |
| Jurassic | 201.3–145.0 | 56.3 | ||
| Triassic | 252.17–201.3 | 50.9 | ||
| Paleozoic | Permian | 298.9–252.17 | 46.7 | |
| Carboniferous | 358.9–298.9 | 60 | ||
| Devonian | 419.2–358.9 | 60.3 | ||
| Silurian | 443.4–419.2 | 24.2 | ||
| Ordovician | 485.4–443.4 | 42 | ||
| Cambrian | 541.0–485.4 | 55.6 | ||
| Proterozoic | Neoproterozoic | Ediacaran | 635.0–541.0 | 94 |
| Cryogenian | 850–635 | 215 | ||
| Tonian | 1,000–850 | 150 | ||
| Mesoproterozoic | Stenian | 1,200–1,000 | 200 | |
| Ectasian | 1,400–1,200 | 200 | ||
| Calymmian | 1,600–1,400 | 200 | ||
| Paleoproterozoic | Statherian | 1,800–1,600 | 200 | |
| Orosirian | 2,050–1,800 | 250 | ||
| Rhyacian | 2,300–2,050 | 250 | ||
| Siderian | 2,500–2,300 | 200 | ||
