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Earth's earliest biosphere-a proposal to develop a collection of curated archean geologic reference materialsThe discovery of evidence indicative of life in a Martian meteorite has led to an increase in interest in astrobiology. As a result of this discovery, and the ensuing controversy, it has become apparent that our knowledge of the early development of life on Earth is limited. Archean stratigraphic successions containing evidence of Earth's early biosphere are well preserved in the Pilbara Craton of Western Australia. The craton includes part of a protocontinent consisting of granitoid complexes that were emplaced into, and overlain by, a 3.51-2.94 Ga volcanigenic carapace - the Pilbara Supergroup. The craton is overlain by younger supracrustal basins that form a time series recording Earth history from approximately 2.8 Ga to approximately 1.9 Ga. It is proposed that a well-documented suite of these ancient rocks be collected as reference material for Archean and astrobiological research. All samples would be collected in a well-defined geological context in order to build a framework to test models for the early evolution of life on Earth and to develop protocols for the search for life on other planets.
Document ID
20050154737
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Lindsay, John F.
(Lunar and Planetary Institute Houston, Texas 77058, United States)
McKay, David S.
Allen, Carlton C.
Date Acquired
August 23, 2013
Publication Date
December 1, 2003
Publication Information
Publication: Astrobiology
Volume: 3
Issue: 4
ISSN: 1531-1074
Subject Category
Exobiology
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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