Abstract
Well-preserved Archean pillow lavas from the ca. 3.35 Ga Euro Basalt of the Pilbara Craton, Western Australia, contain micron-sized tubular structures mineralized by titanite (CaTiSiO4) with residual organic carbon preserved along their margins. Direct U-Pb dating of titanite in the tubular structures demonstrates an Archean age. These tubular microstructures are identical to microbial ichnofossils in modern basalts, ophiolites, and greenstone belts, and are interpreted as a biogenic signature in these ancient rocks. Microbial colonization of basaltic glass thus appears to have been part of a deep subsurface biosphere established early in Earth's history.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 487-490 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Geology |
Volume | 35 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jun 2007 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Astrobiology
- Early life
- Geochronology
- Greenstone belt
- Ichnofossil
- Pilbara craton
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Geology