Explore the photo gallery of stromatolites, related microbial structures, and early life forms, arranged in chronological order from the Archean to recent geological periods. The list is NOT exhaustive and the page will be expanded over time with further additions. Click on the left/right arrows to visualize more images.
Precambrian, Archean, Paleoarchean: 3600 – 3200 Myo
Microbial mat, Dresser Formation, North Pole Dome, WAustralia, 3.49Gy 
Microbial mat, Dresser Formation, North Pole Dome, WAustralia, 3.49Gy 
Apex Chert, Chinaman Creek, Parker and Schopf locality, Pilbara, WAustralia L.Tettamanzi Collection, 3.46Gy 
Microbial mat, Strelly Pool Fm. Pilbara, WAustralia, 3.43 Gy 
Microbial mat, Strelly Pool Fm. Pilbara, WAustralia, 3.43Gy 
Strelly Pool, Pilbara, WAustralia, 3.4 Gy 
Moodies ‘Crinkles’, Microbial mats, Moodies Group, Dycedale Syncline, Barbeton, South Africa L.Tettamanzi Collection, 3.22 Gy
Precambrian, Archean, Neoarchean: 2800 – 2500 Myo
Precambrian, Proterozoic, Paleoproterozoic: 2500 – 1600 Myo
Stratifera, Lower Whalen Grp, Hartville Uplift, Guernsey, Wyoming, 2.58-2.2Gy 
Collenia, Kona Dolomite, Chocolay Grp., Chocolay Hills, Marguette Cty, Ishpeming, Michigan, 2.2-2.4Gy 
Collenia, Kona Dolomite, Chocolay Grp., Chocolay Hills, Marguette Cty, Ishpeming, Michigan, 2.2-2.4Gy 
Collenia undosa, Biwabik Fm., Mary Ellen Mine, Mesabi Range, St. Louis Cty, Minnesota, 2.2-2.4Gy 
Collenia undosa, Biwabik Fm., Mary Ellen Mine, Mesabi Range, St. Louis Cty, Minnesota, 2.2-2.4Gy 
Collenia undosa (detail with ematitic oolites), Biwabik Fm., Mary Ellen Mine, Mesabi Range, St. Louis Cty, Minnesota, 2.2-2.4Gy 
Collenia, Kona Dolomite, Chocolay Grp., Chocolay Hills, Marguette Cty, Ishpeming, Michigan, 2.2-2.4Gy 
Gyrvanella, Chocolay Grp, Kona Dolomite, Chocolay Hills, Marguette Cty, Ishpeming, Michigan, 2.2-2.4Gy 
Grypania spiralis (undetermined eukaryota), Neguanee Iron Fm., Marquette Range, Michigan, 1.87Gy 
Grypania spiralis (undetermined eukaryota), Neguanee Iron Fm., Marquette Range, Michigan, 1.87Gy 
Collenia cylindrica, Anhui Province, China, 1.8-1.0Gy 
Collenia cylindrica, Anhui Province, China, 1.8-1.0Gy 
Carelozoon metzgerii, Mak. PR1 JT OM1 Tulomozerskaya Fm, Karelia Republic, Pyalozero, Russia, 1.8Gy 
Parallelophyton raigubicum, Mak. PR1 jt OM1 Lake Sundozero, Karelia Republic, Russia, 1.8Gy 
Stromatolite, Kemi river, Ollitervo farm, Tervola, Lapland, Finland, 1.78Gy 
Earaheedia kuleliensis, Kulele Limestone Fm., Nabberu Basin, Wiluna, WAustralia, 1.7Gy 
Cryptozoon, Sequence des Mines, Katangian Mbuji-mayi, Rep. Dem. Congo 1.3Gy-645My 
Cryptozoon, Sequence des Mines, Katangian Mbuji-mayi, Rep. Dem. Congo 1.3Gy-645My
Precambrian, Proterozoic, Mesoproterozoic: 1600 – 1000 Myo
Kussiella kussiensis (Masl), Kryl. 1963, Satkinskaya Fm., Verkhnekusinskaya SubFm., Argus rock, Ay river, Kusa town, South Ural, Russia, 1.65-1.35Gy 
Ozarcollenia latimarginata, Ketcherside Tuff, Iron Cty, Missouri, 1.5Gy 
Newlandia frondosa, Mesoproterozoic, Newland Limestone, Belt Supergroup, west of White Sulphur Spring, Townsend, Montana, 1.47-1.38Gy 
Horodyskia williamsii, (NOT a Stromatolite but undefined eukaryote), Backdoor Fm., Ashburton, WAustralia, 1.4Gy 
Undetermined forms on algal mat, Unkar Group, Hakatai shales, Grand Canyon Supergroup, Arizona, 1.2-1.1Gy 
Undetermined (possibly sedimentary structures), Unkar Group, Hakatai shales, Grand Canyon Supergroup, Arizona, 1.2-1.1Gy 
Collenia, Torgo, Sakha, Siberia, 1.2-1.3Gy 
Collenia, Torgo, Sakha, Siberia, 1.2-1.3Gy 
Baicalia sp., Wumishan, Beijing, Cina, 1.3Gy 
Baicalia capricornia, Irregully Fm., Bangemall Basin, Ashburton river, Kooline Station, Australia, 1.2Gy 
Baicalia capricornia, Irregully Fm., Bangemall Basin, Ashburton river, Kooline Station, Australia, 1.2Gy 
Chihsienella chihsienensis, Tieling Fm. (Tieling Group), Jixian, He Bei Province, China, 1.1-1Gy 
Chihsienella chihsienensis, Tieling Fm. (Tieling Group), Jixian, He Bei Province, China, 1.1-1Gy 
Cryptozoon, Sequence des Mines, Katangian Mbuji-mayi, Rep. Dem. Congo 1.3Gy-645My 
Cryptozoon, Sequence des Mines, Katangian Mbuji-mayi, Rep. Dem. Congo 1.3Gy-645My
Precambrian, Proterozoic, Neoproterozoic: 1000 – ~538.8 ± 0.8 Myo
Arumberia, algal mat, Nama Group, Vendian, Namibia, 549-543Myo 
Algal mat (Arumberia) Bernashevka Mb., Yaryshev Fm., Mogilev-Podoslky Group, Bernashivka outcrop Late Ediacaran, Ukraine, 557Myo 
Algal mat, Vendian, White Sea, Arkhangelsk region, Russia, 560-550Myo 
Kimberella quadrata (protomollusk), Radolichnus (radial grazing fan) on algal mat, Vendian, White Sea, Arkhangelsk region, Russia, 560-550Myo 
Arumberia and Aspidella terranovica, Upper Vendian (Longmyndian), Lightspout Fm., Rattlinghope, Shropshire, 570-550Myo 
Conophyton amantourartensis Ouarzazate basin, Anti-Atlas, Ouarzazate Supergroup, Upper Tachgagalt Fm, Ediacaran, Neoproterozoic, Souss-Massa-Draa, Morocco, 571Myo 
Conophyton amantourartensis Ouarzazate basin, Anti-Atlas, Ouarzazate Supergroup, Upper Tachgagalt Fm, Ediacaran, Neoproterozoic, Souss-Massa-Draa, Morocco, 571Myo 
Kuckaraukia multitubercolata (on algal mat), U.Vendian, Bashkirian Anticlinorium, Asha Group, Basa Fm., Kukkarauk quarry, Makarova-Kulgunino, South Urals, Russia, 600-557Myo, 
Oncolites Dushantuo Fm. Guizhou, China, 600Myo 
Oncolites Dushantuo Fm. Guizhou, China, 600Myo 
Oncoids, Dalradian Supergroup, Lismore Limestones, Islay Formation, Scotland, 653Myo 
Oncoids, Dalradian Supergroup, Lismore Limestones, Islay Formation, Scotland, 653Myo 
Chuaria circularis Pre-Varisican Glacial event, Lake Vättern, Visingsö Group, Sweden, 0.76Gy 
Minjaria pontifera, L.Precambrian, Bitter Springs Fm., Alice Springs area, NT, Australia, 800Myo 
Minjaria pontifera, L.Precambrian, Bitter Springs Fm., Alice Springs area, NT, Australia, 800Myo 
Inzeria cf. tjomusi, Katavskaya Fm., Inzer river, South Ural, Assy, Beloretsky Dist., Bashkortostan, Russia, 950-800Myo
Phanerozoic, Cambrian: ~538.8 ± 0.8 – ~486.85 ± 1.5 Myo
Conophytum basalticum, L.M.-Cambrian, Antrim Basalts, Katherine NT, Australia, 500Myo 
Oncolites, Pioche Shale Fm., Rachel (near area 51), Cambrian, Series 2, Stage 4, Lincoln County, Nevada, 514.5-506.5Myo 
Girvanella, Algal balls, L.Cambrian Carrara Fm., Racheal, Nevada, 520Myo 
Girvanella, Algal balls, L.Cambrian Carrara Fm., Racheal, Nevada, 520Myo 
Girvanella, Oncolites lower Chambless Formation, Dyeran Stage, uL.Cambrian Marble Mountains, Mojave Desert, southern California, 0.524-0.512Gy, 
Girvanella, Oncolites lower Chambless Formation, Dyeran Stage, uL.Cambrian Marble Mountains, Mojave Desert, southern California, 0.524-0.512Gy, 
Girvanella, Oncolites lower Chambless Formation, Dyeran Stage, uL.Cambrian Marble Mountains, Mojave Desert, southern California, 0.524-0.512Gy, 
Oolite, L.Cambrian, Deep Spring Fm., Bristle Cone Pine reserve, White Mountains, California, 551-539Myo 
Oolite, L.Cambrian, Deep Spring Fm., Bristle Cone Pine reserve, White Mountains, California, 551-539Myo 
Sand Stromatolites, Mount Simon-Wonewoc Sandstone,, UCambrian (Guzhangiano), 500.5-497Myo (Photo Courtesy C.Gass)
Phanerozoic, Devonian: 419.62 ± 1.36 – 358.86 ± 0.19 Myo
Phanerozoic, Carboniferous: 358.86 ± 0.19 – 298.9 ± 0.15 Myo
Schalenblende (Sphalerite), NOT a stromatolite, but possible microbial activity for mineral deposition, Poporzany Mine, Olkusz, Malopolskie, Poland L.Carboniferous-Permian, 300Myo 
Stromatoilte, Mississippian, Serpukhovian Stage, Serpukhovian Dist., Moskow Region, Russia, 0.323Gy 
Oncolites, Soldier Creek Shale, Bern limestone Fm., Wabaunsee Grp. Pennsylvanian, S of Robinson, Brown Cty, Kansas, 323.4-298.9Myo 
Oncolites, Soldier Creek Shale, Bern limestone Fm., Wabaunsee Grp. Pennsylvanian, S of Robinson, Brown Cty, Kansas, 323.4-298.9Myo
Phanerozoic, Permian: 298.9 ± 0.15 – 215.902 ± 0.024 Myo
Phanerozoic, Triassic: 251.902 ± 0.024 – ~201.4 ± 0.2 Myo
Phanerozoic, Cretaceous: 143.1 ± 0.6 – 66 Myo
Cryptozoon El Molino Formation, Potosi, Upper Cretaceous, Maastrichtian, Cochabamba, Bolivia, 70Myo 
Cryptozoon, El Molino Formation, Upper Cretaceous, Maastrichtian, Potosi, Cochabamba, Bolivia, 70Myo 
Cryptozoon, El Molino Formation, Upper Cretaceous, Maastrichtian, Potosi, Cochabamba, Bolivia, 70Myo 
Cryptozoon, El Molino Formation, Upper Cretaceous, Maastrichtian, Potosi, Cochabamba, Bolivia, 70Myo 
Cryptozoon, El Molino Formation, Upper Cretaceous, Maastrichtian, Potosi, Cochabamba, Bolivia, 70Myo 
Oncolite, U. Cretaceous, Lady of Angels Lake, Chihuahua, Mexico, 90-60Myo 
Kambaba jasper (Rhyolite, NOT a stromatolite!), Late Cretaceous, west-central Bongolava region, Madagascar, 90Myo 
Kambaba jasper (Rhyolite, NOT a stromatolite!), Late Cretaceous, west-central Bongolava region, Madagascar, 90Myo 
Sand Stromatolite (NOT a Stromatolite s.s.), Cenomanian M.Cretaceous, KemKem Beds, Tegana Formation, Morocco, 112-97Myo 
Sand Stromatolite (NOT a Stromatolite s.s.), Cenomanian M.Cretaceous, KemKem Beds, Tegana Formation, Morocco, 112-97Myo 
Collenia sp., Cretaceous, M-L Albian, Nigeria, 112-99.6Myo
Extreme macro and Paleontology 