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The Dating of the Earliest Sediments on Earth

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Cosmochemistry and the Origin of Life

Part of the book series: NATO Advanced Study Institutes Series ((ASIC,volume 101))

Abstract

Published isotopic age evidence for early Precambrian sedimentary rocks containing biogenic markers is critically reviewed. The age of sedimentation can sometimes be obtained by direct analysis of the sediments themselves, but more frequently by age measurements on stratigraphically related volcanic rocks, or by interpolation between dated older basement rocks and younger intrusive rocks. Provided that stratigraphical/geochronological correlations are correct there is little doubt that sediments containing algal stromatolites were being deposited ∿ 3450 – 3300 m.y. ago, and that true microfossils occur in rocks dated at ∿ 3300 – 3200 m.y. Evidence relating to possible biogenic markers in rocks reliably dated at 3800 – 3750 m.y. is more difficult to evaluate. Much scope remains for future work.

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  1. Department of Geology and Mineralogy, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PR, UK

    Stephen Moorbath

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  1. Stephen Moorbath
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  1. Department of Chemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, USA

    Cyril Ponnamperuma

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Moorbath, S. (1983). The Dating of the Earliest Sediments on Earth. In: Ponnamperuma, C. (eds) Cosmochemistry and the Origin of Life. NATO Advanced Study Institutes Series, vol 101. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-7072-4_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-7072-4_7

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