Living Stromatolites

A rocky cushion-like mass formed by the unchecked growth of millions of lime-secreting blue-green bacteria (see Cyanobacteria). Stromatolites are found only in areas where other organisms that would normally keep down the bacterial numbers cannot survive, such as extremely salty bays. Such bacteria were abundant during the Proterozoic and Archaean eons, perhaps from as early as 3900 million years ago. The white rings of fossilized microorganisms found in rocks of this age are the remains of stromatolites.

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( Wyoming )

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FYI: Note last picture has lime, these were a "limey" algae as lime was the waste product of the "plant". This eocene stromatolite is named Chlorellopsis colonia Reis. It comes in a number of phases that were related to the depth of the freshwater that they grew in. Layers of mucus and silt are what formed the laminations that stromatolites are known for. This one is from Ft. Laclede bed, Laney member of Green River Eocene, 50 myo. Has oolites and ostracodes in between the columns upon close inspection. These are a marvel of preservation. For further info, look up Bradly 1964,Bradly 1929, or Surdam 73-99. They are the experts on GREEN RIVER Eocene stromatolites.

Geologic History
The fascinating story of ancient freshwater Lake Gosiute of SW Wyoming's Eocene is larger than the lake itself (45,000 sq.mi.) It was a stromatolite breeding area some 45-52 million years ago. Volcanic ash filled in the very shallow lake covering it a mile deep in ash that has since eroded off to expose the lake bed of today. The silica rich ash provided excellent preservation of the many phases of the Chlorellopsis colonia Reis stromatolites of the shallow ( 60' maximum depth ) lake.

Flamingo's (Aves Phoenecopteridea) other birds, tithanotheres, running rhino's, creodonts, oreodonts all lived here once. Tuffa mounds, varves, paleo soils, giant turtles, crocodiles and other inhabitants make this a fascinating place for study. Eohippus horse was here. Goniobasis chrysalis gastropods were abundantly preserved for our enjoyment. Lake Gosiute, a very historical event in North America's fossil record.

Note: All the above information will be supplied to you when you make a purchase of this specimen. We try to find unusual fossil specimens for our customers and this specimen qualifies with no exceptions. When I look at the top of the specimen I see Sunnyside eggs that you have for breakfast !!!!!!

Stromatolites are one of the World's oldest known marine Algae to be fossilized. This specimen dates back to 323 million year ago. When alive it thrived in an Inland Sea that covered much of the Western  USA.

These are domed limestone structures that have compact, curving layers. "Live" fossils were formed when grains of sediment were trapped on the algae’s sticky surfaces. That is why you see the curvy lines which is a result of laminated domes and multiple layers of mineral replacements. Even though stromatolites developed in an environment lacking in oxygen they produced and released vital oxygen which became an abundant gas in the atmosphere for the first time. Stromatolites vary in size from a few centimeters to three feet in diameter.

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This is what they looked like in Life.
 

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