this post was submitted on 06 Dec 2024
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[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 weeks ago

(Not a geologist warning)

Not the oldest, but a neat one: Banded iron formations. Probably formed because early life evolved photosynthesis, releasing large amounts of oxygen which precipitating iron out of the early oceans. Also "extinct" because the conditions for it to form probably will never exist on Earth again.

Stromatolites are somewhat similar. Refers to both current day living guys, and their ancient fossil ancestors. Both form layered mats and are some of the earliest fossils. I think there's earlier fossils but they're a good mix of old and decently large.