Australian Scientists Discovered a 650-million Year Old Reef
Scientists have discovered a 650 million year old, 1 km wide reef, sitting in Australia’s outback. Fossils of ancient sponges or other early primitive animals may be awaiting discovery there. Scientists say that the reef is of “internationally significant” because it dates from a 5-10 million year period between two major ice ages. They continue that it provides a significant step forward in showing the extent of climate change in Earth’s past and the evolution of ancient reef complexes. It also contains fossils which may be of the earliest known primitive animals. There is a good chance that the new fossils and organisms found in the reef will provide significant insight into the evolution of early multi-cellular life.
Tags: Australia, evolution, fossils, ice ages, multi-cellular life, primitive animals, reef
