GMS Field Trip February 2023

GMS Field Trip
Stromatolites and Jasper in Georgia
Saturday, February 25, 2023

GMS members enjoy this location for its pretty jaspers, but its curious stromatolite fossils have made it truly special. Stromatolite fossils are technically trace fossils because they are evidence of the activity of living organisms rather than fossils of the organisms themselves. They are formed by photosynthetic bacteria that cement sediment over time into many layers. Stromatolite fossils up to 3 billion years old have been found, so they are generally considered to be the oldest fossils on earth. Surprisingly, they are still being formed today in Australia and a few other places around the world.

When we arrived at the site, Charles Carter conducted a car parking ballet to squeeze everyone in. A bit of rain before the trip gave us a soggy hike to the collecting area, and a cranky culvert made crossing a creek a bit tricky, but a couple of pairs of boots passed back and forth across the water got everyone there nice and dry. With so much material scattered about, members quickly found excellent specimens of stromatolite as well as some pretty jaspers and a few oolitic jaspers, so we finished early and called it a day. A lovely lizard posed for a few photos before it went on its merry way too.

We are so happy that the property owners invited us to explore this wonderful place. They graciously allow us to collect there and we enjoy talking to them about what members are finding. Many thanks to them and to the field trip attendees who crammed into as few vehicles as possible so that more people could enjoy this trip. And thank you to Charles for once again setting up another fantastic field trip!

Lori Carter
On behalf of Charles Carter, Field Trip Chair
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