Nuvvuagittuq Jaspilite Microfossils Canada 38 gm

Nuvvuagittuq Hydrothermal Jaspilite 38 gm

This ancient rock from the Nuvvuagittuq Supracrustal Belt may provide valuable insights into our planet's early history of life. The hydrothermal jaspilite “microfossil locality” may offer definitive evidence for the emergence of life on Earth around 4.2 billion years ago. Some scientists believe that the earliest life developed in volcanically active hydrothermal environments.

This science-based specimen makes a terrific addition to collections that include specimens about ancient microbial ecosystems! 

Specimen Details

Size: 63mm L x 62mm W x 5mm D
Weight: 38 grams

What is Included

This specimen ships with a Certificate of Authenticity, tag, tag stand, and information about the specimen. It was legally obtained and is a very rare scientific specimen. It was lightly sprayed for photographic purposes.

The Nuvvuagittuq Supracrustal Belt (NSB)

The Nuvvuagittuq Supracrustal Belt in Canada is a very special place! This region is literally a geologic time capsule from billions of years ago. This locality used to be part of the Earth’s early oceanic crust, like a rocky layer under the sea. Inside these rocks scientists found clues about what might be the oldest evidence of life on our planet.

Microfossils and Rosettes: Ancient Clues

Scientists examined tiny pieces of rock from the NSB using special microscopes. They discovered something amazing: tiny structures that looked like rosettes (kind of like flower petals)! These rosettes were tiny, only 50 to 200 micrometers. When they looked even closer, they found minerals like calcite, hematite, quartz, magnetite, and apatite. These minerals could be the building blocks of life.

Iron-Metabolizing Bacteria

Typically ancient bacteria living near hot underwater vents love iron.  They formed long, tube-like structures made of iron (like tiny pipes).  Some scientists think there is evidence of early life in these almost 4 billion year old rocks. These ancient biosignatures might be some of the oldest living things ever discovered.

Life’s Origins and Astrobiology

Most evidence suggests that life started near these underwater vents around 4 billion years ago. Life may have even begun as early as 4.29 billion years ago - quite a long time before stromatolites and the dinosaurs roamed the Earth. Scientists now study these ancient vents to learn more about life’s beginnings and even helps them to imagine what signs of life beyond our own Earth might look like!

Top-tier Specimen for Collections

This jaspilite from the microfossil locality in Nuvvuagittuq specimen would make a superb addition to rock and mineral collections that include geological specimens from the early Earth!

This specimen ships with a Certificate of Authenticity, tag, tag stand and information about the specimen.