Syllabus:

GS-1: Distribution of Key Natural Resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India).

Context: 

Recently, a 600-million-year-old stromatolite outcrop discovered in Chambaghat, Solan (Himachal Pradesh) has renewed calls to preserve and promote India’s geological heritage.

More on the News: 

• These ancient formations reveal a time when Earth’s atmosphere lacked oxygen and was rich in greenhouse gases. 
• Their location in the Himalayas, far from today’s coastlines, tells a tale of tectonic shifts, vanished oceans, and life’s microbial beginnings. 

Stromatolite 

• Stromatolites are layered colonial structures predominately formed by cyanobacteria.
• These are the oldest fossils on earth, dating back to more than three billion years ago. The oldest stromatolites are 3.6 billion years old and are found in Australia.
• These structures are essentially fossilized microbial mats that have accumulated over time in shallow water environments.
• They are known for their characteristic layered appearance, which can be flat, hummocky, or dome-shaped. 

Significance of Stromatolite 

• Preserving microbial legacy: Stromatolites offer direct insight into ancient microbial life, aiding scientists in studying Earth’s early biosphere.
• Evolution of Atmosphere: Stromatolites, particularly those formed by cyanobacteria, were vital in releasing oxygen into Earth’s atmosphere, paving the way for complex life to evolve.

Distribution of Stromatolite in India

• Chitrakoot, Uttar Pradesh: Known for columnar stromatolites in Vindhyan limestones.
• Morni Hills, Haryana: Features well-preserved stromatolite beds in dolomite formations.
• Mussoorie and Nainital, Uttarakhand: Sites in the Krol Belt showcase Precambrian marine sedimentation.
• Jaisalmer Fossil Park, Rajasthan: A protected area highlighting a range of Mesozoic fossils, including marine life.