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News Release 11-182
Evidence for Iron-Rich Ancient Ocean Changes View of Earth's Early History
Discovery challenges previous models for environment in which early life evolved
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Geologists Chris Reinhard (front) and Noah Planavsky dig into a shale exposure in north China.
Credit: Chu Research Group, Chinese Academy of Sciences
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Hills surrounding a resort north of Beijing, China, were a source of shale samples for the study.
Credit: Chu Research Group, Chinese Academy of Sciences
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Researcher Noah Planavsky, in quest of samples, hangs tight on a black shale exposure in China.
Credit: Chu Research Group, Chinese Academy of Sciences
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Scientists find unweathered samples of ancient oceans along a narrow road north of Beijing.
Credit: Chu Research Group
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Scientists Chu, Li, Love, Rinhard, Planavsky and Lyons while collecting samples in China.
Credit: Chu Research Group, Chinese Academy of Sciences
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Drill core of shales and siltstones. The brown layers are a tell-tale sign of an iron-rich ancient ocean.
Credit: Peter McGoldrick, University of Tasmania
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