Fig Tree Formation

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Fig Tree Formation
Stratigraphic range: Paleoarchean
~3260 Ma
Type Geological formation
Unit of Barberton Supergroup
Underlies Moodies Group
Overlies Onverwacht Group
Lithology
Primary Sandstone
Other Shale
Location
Location Kaapvaal craton
Coordinates 25°48′S31°00′E / 25.8°S 31.0°E / -25.8; 31.0
Region Barberton Greenstone Belt, Mpumalanga
Country South Africa
South African Greenstone Belt.png
Location of the Barberton Greenstone Belt

The Fig Tree Formation, also called Fig Tree Group, is a stromatolite-containing geological formation in South Africa. The rock contains fossils of microscopic life forms of about 3.26 billion years old. [1] Identified organisms include the bacterium Eobacterium isolatum and the algae-like Archaeosphaeroides barbertonensis . The fossils in the Fig Tree Formation are considered some of the oldest known organisms on Earth, and provide evidence that life may have existed much earlier than previously thought. The formation is composed of shales, turbiditic greywackes, volcaniclastic sandstones, chert, turbiditic siltstone, conglomerate, breccias, mudstones, and iron-rich shales. [2]

Contents

Meteorite Impact

This formation also contains evidence of the biggest known meteorite impact on earth .

See also

References

Further reading