Nuvvuagittuq Hydrothermal Vent Jaspilite [47 gm ~ 4.3Ga]

Nuvvuagittuq Hydrothermal Jaspilite 47 Grams 

This scientific specimen came from the Nuvvuagittuq "Microfossils Locality" microbial life ancient hydrothermal vent location in Canada. Some scientists regard it as the earliest fossil evidence of life on Earth. The fossil record of life extends back into the vast depths of "Earth time." Before dinosaurs and the oldest stromatolites, there were microfossils and cells that built stromatolites.

Discovery of Microfossils

Scientists analyzed jasper rock samples and discovered microfossils - tiny remains of ancient organisms. These microfossils exhibited filament-like structures and tubes filled with hematite, resembling microbes found in modern hydrothermal vent systems.

The Nuvvuagittuq Supracrustal Belt (NSB)

• The NSB in Canada is a geological formation that once belonged to an early oceanic crust.
• It contains ancient rocks that have preserved clues about Earth's early past and potentially the earliest fossil evidence of life on Earth.

Microfossils and Rosettes: Evidence of Ancient Life

• Scientists studied thin sections of fragments from the NSB using optical microscopy.
• They identified rosette-like structures measuring 50–200 μm.
• Chemical imaging with a Raman microscope revealed calcite, hematite, quartz, magnetite, and apatite minerals.
• These structures resembled hematite tubes, interpreted as microfossils.

Iron-Metabolizing Filamentous Bacteria

• Modern iron-oxidizing bacteria can form Fe-containing filaments and tubes in hot vents.
• The ancient rosettes and tubes in the NSB rocks are believed to be remnants of similar iron-metabolizing bacteria.
• These filamentous bacteria may represent some of the oldest life forms recognized on Earth.

Possible Implications for Life's Origins

The evidence suggests that life established a habitat near submarine-hydrothermal vents around 3700 million years ago (Myr) and may have emerged as early as ~ 4.3 Ga ago. Ancient submarine-hydrothermal vent systems are now considered potential sites for life's origins on Earth and are crucial targets in the search for extraterrestrial life in astrobiology.

Valuable Insights

These ancient rocks from the NSB provide valuable insights into the early history of life on our planet. 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 cells developed in volcanically active hydrothermal environments similar to this one.

Specimen Details

• Size: 57mm L x 53mm W x 7mm D
• Weight: 47 grams
• Legality: This material was legally collected and acquired from a materials trade with a scientific institution.
• Microphotography images is 50X.

What is Included:  Ships with a Certificate of Authenticity, tag, tag stand, and information about the specimen. The specimen stand is also included, the sizing cube is not. Diamond polish finish both sides.

Remarks: Beautiful display specimen!

Collection Contribution:

This science-based specimen makes a terrific addition to collections on ancient microbial ecosystems! Only a few are available.

Unaffiliated but Learn More at:

https://astrobiology.nasa.gov/news/oldest-evidence-for-early-life-on-earth-dated-to-at-least-377-billion-years/

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