EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


Microbialites in Puna Argentina

November 16, 2022


Microbialitos

Photographer: Carlos Di Nallo
Summary Author: Carlos Di Nallo
In the lagoon shown above, in the Catamarca province of Argentina,
modern microbialites can be observed. These ecosystems are "living
rocks" formed by diatom microorganisms and by various minerals.
They’re among the oldest ecosystems on our planet and dominated it for
3-billion years, producing large amounts of oxygen and are even
responsible for helping to create the ozone layer.

Today, they’re found in remote areas of northwestern Argentina, an
environment similar to that of many regions on Earth millions of years
ago -- high solar radiation and salinity conditions. They were
discovered by the Argentine scientist Dr. Maria Eugenia Farias.
Photo taken on May 15, 2022.

Antofagasta de la Sierra, Catamarca, Argentina Coordinates:
-26.066667, -67.416667


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Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the Universities
Space Research Association.

https://epod.usra.edu

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