‘
            Intrites
            ’ from the Ediacaran Longmyndian Supergroup, UK: a new form of microbially-induced sedimentary structure (MISS)

Latha R. Menon; Duncan McIlroy; Martin D. Brasier

doi:10.1144/sp448.12

journal article Open Access Nov 02, 2016

‘ Intrites ’ from the Ediacaran Longmyndian Supergroup, UK: a new form of microbially-induced sedimentary structure (MISS)

Latha R. Menon Duncan McIlroy

Martin D. Brasier

Geological Society, London, Special Publications Vol. 448 No. 1 pp. 271-283 · Geological Society of London

View at Publisher Save 10.1144/sp448.12

Abstract

Abstract

Simple discoidal impressions are the only evidence of complex life in some Ediacaran and older rocks, but their interpretation is notoriously difficult. We reassessed a puzzling discoidal form from the
c.
560 Ma upper Burway Formation of the Ediacaran Longmyndian Supergroup, Shropshire, UK. The structures, previously described as
Intrites punctatus
Fedonkin, are found on both the bed tops and soles. They vary in morphology from mounds with central depressions to incomplete rings and pairs of short ridges. Examination of the purported
Intrites
documented from the Longmyndian in cross-section revealed a torus-shaped structure bounded by microbial mat layers and commonly containing white laminae. We interpret the ‘Longmyndian
Intrites
’ as a product of microbial trapping, sediment binding and authigenic clay mineral and carbonate precipitation on the flanks of small sediment volcanoes. Subsidence of the ring-like structure into muddy sediments resulted in a torus-shaped microstromatolite. Preferential stromatolitic growth parallel to the prevailing current produced the observed partial rings or parallel ridges and explains their preferential orientation as current alignment. This interpretation of ‘Longmyndian
Intrites
’ expands the known variety of microbially-induced sedimentary structures (MISS) and emphasizes the importance of considering microbially-induced structures and abiological processes when interpreting discoidal impressions in ancient rocks.

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Citations

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References

Details

Published: Nov 02, 2016
Vol/Issue: 448(1)
Pages: 271-283
License: View

Authors

L

Latha R. Menon

Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3AN, UK

D

Duncan McIlroy

Department of Earth Sciences, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St John's, NL, A1B 3X5, Canada

M

Martin D. Brasier

Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3AN, UK; Department of Earth Sciences, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St John's, NL, A1B 3X5, Canada

Cite This Article

Latha R. Menon, Duncan McIlroy, Martin D. Brasier (2016). ‘ Intrites ’ from the Ediacaran Longmyndian Supergroup, UK: a new form of microbially-induced sedimentary structure (MISS). Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 448(1), 271-283. https://doi.org/10.1144/sp448.12

‘ Intrites ’ from the Ediacaran Longmyndian Supergroup, UK: a new form of microbially-induced sedimentary structure (MISS)

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