The Oldest Complex Ediacaran Fossils (original) (raw)
Fronds up to nearly 2 metres in length occur in the upper beds of the Drook Formation, 1500m stratigraphically below the approximately 565 million year old Mistaken Point fossils. Their position above the glacial marine rocks of the Gaskiers Formation (dated at 595 million years) give paleontologists an important first look at life just after the "Snowball Earth" glaciations (the largest glacial event recorded in the Earth's geological record).
(Figure by Dr. J.Gehling)
(click on the images for more information)
Charnia wardi
