Red Lake Stromatolite - Oldest in Western Hemisphere
Brand : Sciencemall-USA
- SKU:
- JPT-27216
- Condition:
- New
- Availability:
- Usually ships in 24 hours.
- Weight:
- 1.00 LBS
- Minimum Purchase:
- 1 unit
- Maximum Purchase:
- 1 unit
- Shipping:
- Calculated at Checkout
Red Lake Stromatolite - 232 g Archean Stromatolite from Ontario, Canada
This Red Lake stromatolite is a rare Archean biosedimentary specimen from the Ball Assemblage of the Red Lake Greenstone Belt in Ontario, Canada. Dating to approximately 2.925 Ga, it represents one of the oldest known stromatolitic carbonate records from the Western Hemisphere.
Red Lake Stromatolite Geological Significance
The Red Lake stromatolites formed in an ancient shallow-marine carbonate setting during the Mesoarchean, long before complex animals, land plants, or the oxygen-rich atmosphere familiar today. These layered structures record microbial mat activity in one of Earth's earliest carbonate-platform environments.
This specimen preserves high-contrast black, gray, and white banding within metamorphosed stromatolitic carbonate. The dark laminae reflect carbon-rich microbial layers, while the lighter carbonate and cherty zones show recrystallization and later geological overprint. Folding, truncation, and flow-like internal structures reflect the deep deformation history of the Red Lake Greenstone Belt while still leaving the original stromatolitic architecture visually legible.
For collectors of early life, Archean geology, and Precambrian biosignatures, this is a visually strong hand specimen from a scientifically important locality. It connects directly to the long record of microbial ecosystems that shaped Earth's surface environments before the Great Oxidation Event.
Red Lake Stromatolite Product Information
| Object Type | Archean stromatolite hand specimen |
| Locality | Ball Assemblage, Red Lake Greenstone Belt, Red Lake, Ontario, Canada |
| Geological Age | Mesoarchean, approximately 2.925 billion years ago; 2.925 Ga |
| Lithology | Metamorphosed stromatolitic carbonate; calc-silicate marble with cherty replacement zones |
| Dimensions | 83 mm L x 80 mm W x 22 mm D |
| Weight | 232 g |
| Specimen Description | High-contrast black, white, and gray banded stromatolitic carbonate with visible microbial lamination, deformation textures, and polished smooth display surfaces. |
| Scientific Significance | Represents an exceptionally ancient Archean stromatolite from one of Earth's earliest known carbonate-platform systems. |
| What Is Included | Red Lake stromatolite specimen, Certificate of Authenticity, specimen tag, tag stand, and informational sheet. Photo cube not included. |
| Use and Display | Suitable for serious private collections, Precambrian life displays, university teaching sets, geology collections, and museum-style deep-time exhibits. |
| Authentication and Compliance | Guaranteed authentic and documented by Sciencemall-USA. |
| Shipping | Shipping calculated at checkout |
| U.S. Shipping | Free Priority Shipping within the USA |
Images professionally photographed under controlled studio lighting using Zeiss optics and a pro-grade Canon camera.
Rarity & Significance
Scientific Significance: ★★★★★
Market Availability: ★
Locality Specificity: ★★★★★
Display Appeal: ★★★★★
Questions Commonly Asked About Red Lake Stromatolites
What makes Red Lake stromatolites important?
Red Lake stromatolites are important because they preserve evidence of microbial mat-building activity from the Archean Eon. They help document early carbonate deposition and shallow-water microbial ecosystems on the ancient Earth.
Does this stromatolite preserve actual microbial cells?
The visible value of this specimen is in the preserved stromatolitic architecture rather than in individual cells. In very ancient metamorphosed rocks, original microscopic biological material is commonly altered or destroyed, while layered biosedimentary structure may remain visible.
Why does the specimen show black and white banding?
The banding reflects ancient layered carbonate material that was later recrystallized and altered during deep geological history. The contrast helps reveal microbial lamination, carbonate replacement, and deformation textures in a visually readable way.
How does metamorphism affect the scientific value?
Metamorphism changes the original mineralogy and texture, but it does not automatically erase scientific or display value. In this specimen, the preserved banding and stromatolitic fabric remain important, as they reveal the architecture of an ancient microbial carbonate system.
Why is this specimen suited for a deep-time collection?
It represents early life, Archean carbonate deposition, and ancient crustal history in a single visually striking specimen. As part of a serious geology collection, it serves as both a visually engaging display specimen and a teaching example of Earth's early biosphere.
This Red Lake stromatolite offers an unusually direct connection to the Archean biosphere: a 232 g display specimen from a locality tied to some of the earliest known stromatolitic carbonate records on Earth. Its strong contrast, visible lamination, and documented origin make it a serious addition to a collection focused on early life, Archean geology, and Earth's deep biological history.
Add this Red Lake stromatolite to your collection as a rare, scientifically meaningful specimen from the early record of life on Earth.
