Zebra stone

Zebra stone is found throughout the Ranford formation and is dated around 680 millions years old
The patterns are created by cyanobacterial mats infilling ripple marks in a low energy shallow marine environment .
The tubular patterns occurs as these Cyanobacterial mats start to dome up in the ripple marks and are then rapidly covered by further sedimentation.
If the environmental conditions are stable , these mats join creating large flat sheets .
Plastic deformation occurs creating more unusual patterns , as further sediments are deposited over them .
There are at least 7 actively collected deposits , some of which are very porous , others quite hard and can be polished without fillers by skilled lapidarists .
The photo shown was probably taken on my lease .
These Cyanobacteria structures were originally described by Walcott (smithsonian) as Newlandia frondulosa
algal colonies , but was dismissed until quite recent times .
Similar patterns can be found in ancient rocks throughout the world , but the most visual are from Western Australia .

Print Stone also from Western Australiais found near Mt Tom Price was considered to be a consequence of Liesegang Rings (differential permeability of minerals in plastic sediments ). Dated at nearly 2.7 billion years old
These are now being considered to be of biogenic origin being described as Kennia simulans
(can't remember exact spelling)

Brazilian zebra stone is a jasper , many jaspers are colored by biogenic material before they are metamorphosed and silicified.
But it looks very different from the Western Australian stone



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/14/2012 09:27AM by Ralph Bottrill.

Stephanie Martin Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Robert - is this material also referred to as
> "print stone" or "newsprint jasper"? Or is that
> different material? Based on the photo I am
> curious as it looks a lot like material I have
> seen referenced as print stone.
>
> thanks for any info,
> stephanie

G'day mate, never heard of it being called 'print stone'. A few of the tourists in the early days (ca 1960s, well before the Argyle deposit was inundated), used to term it as 'leopard stone, or 'tiger stone', depending on spots or wavy lines.

Bob.

Tom Kapitany Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Zebra stone is found throughout the Ranford
> formation and is dated around 680 millions years
> old
> The patterns are created by cyanobacterial mats
> infilling ripple marks in a low energy shallow
> marine environment .
> The tubular patterns occurs as these
> Cyanobacterial mats start to dome up in the ripple
> marks and are then rapidly covered by further
> sedimentation.
> If the environmental conditions are stable , these
> mats join creating large flat sheets .
> Plastic deformation occurs creating more unusual
> patterns , as further sediments are deposited
> over them .
> There are at least 7 actively collected deposits ,
> some of which are very porous , others quite hard
> and can be polished without fillers by skilled
> lapidarists .
> The photo shown was probably taken on my lease
> .
> These Cyanobacteria structures were originally
> described by Walcott (smithsonian) as Newlandia
> frondulosa
> algal colonies , but was dismissed until quite
> recent times .
> Similar patterns can be found in ancient rocks
> throughout the world , but the most visual are
> from Western Australia .
>
> Print Stone also from Western Australiais found
> near Mt Tom Price was considered to be a
> consequence of Liasang Rings
> (differential permeability of minerals in plastic
> sediments ) . Dated at nearly 2.7 billion years
> old
> These are now being considered to be of biogenic
> origin being described as Kennia simulans
> (can't remember exact spelling)
>
> Brazilian zebra stone is a jasper , many jaspers
> are colored by biogenic material before they are
> metamorphosed and silicified.
> But it looks very different from the Western
> Australian stone


Ahh, so you have the gallery down the Old Duncan Hwy. Mate, I hope that you don't prosecute me for taking the pic on your lease. I went around across the "saddle"and saw an old 'dozer track that had been made.
I knew that area in 1964 (worked for Main Roads in those days....

A question, Tom, did you see any 'fossil jellyfish' on the top of the mesa?? They were "all the rage" about 1967/8 whether they were fossils, being precambrian and all that...I have a couple of specimens.

Bob.

I'd be interested in seeing a brown and white zebra, post any pictres you have,

Dennis

How about this one?

Looks more like Quagga stone to me

This is the zebra stone from Tom's lease

Thanks to David for posting the picture for me, not sure he to post using the iPad
It's not actually from my lease .
I have a number of projects in the area
I pegged the escarpment lease particularly for the Jelly fish
Actually they are a Porpita species similar to a" By the wind sailer" Neoproterozoic of age
predating the Ediacaran faunas .
The Western Australian Museum still refers to them as evaporites , but many international scientists accept them as being of biogenic
Origin .
This photo shows the ripple mark effect
You can email me privately if anyone is interested in seeing more pictures
Tomk@crystal-world.com

Thanks to all for posting the great photos and info. Just to add to the colouring confusion zebra foals are born brown and white.

I rounded up a few small sample stones I had handy for a group shot.

Left: Brazil
Centre on stand: Australia
Right, black and white - Utah

I was once told some black and white material hailed from Brazil but I believe the dealer may have gotten it confused. The black and white material takes a nice high polish and seems to be dolomitic marble. The Australian stone has a matte finish and this may be what is being referred to above about some Australian material not taking a good high polish.

Thank you very much for the great pictures and information!!

Stephanie,
I didn't know black&white zebra stones are from Utah. Thanks a lot!

The middle stone is from Tom Price not Kunnanarra

Tom - so this would be print stone based on location, appearance, formation/fauna or combination thereof? I was wondering about the differences in appearance. I didn't know the exact location for this piece so I just indicated it was Australian material. Is the zebra stone more profoundly striped? What about the dotted patterns? Are they considered zebra stone or print stone? I see dotted patterns in cross section in the photos and I have seen this called print stone. It would be nice to understand the difference. I understand it is probably biogenic and specific organisms may be responsible, but is there an easy way to distinguish?

Thanks for any info.
regards,
stephanie

The issue and confusion is in people using common generic names that had no bearing or scientific description in relation the Rock type (Lithology)
These names are used in marketing .and in more recent times being trademarked to create exclusivity .
There are names such as okapi stone , astronomite , pudding stone used to describe zebra store here in Australia
So what's in a name ?
The Australian zebra stones and print stones are poorly silicified siltstones that have had little if any metamorphism (natural thermal heating )
And hence tend to be very porous .
The other stones are heavily metamorphosed and became Jasper's rather than siltstones which they mostly likely were at the time they were deposited.
Google zebra stone and you will find various sites showing worked stones .
The sites may contain confusing or misleading information such as "it is only found in lake argyle and the deposit is under water" , to create th perception of rarity .
But to be fair some patterns/ locations are no longer accessible due to rising lake levels .
Hope this helps
Tomk

The issue and confusion is in people using common generic names that had no bearing or scientific description in relation the Rock type (Lithology)
These names are used in marketing .and in more recent times being trademarked to create exclusivity .
There are names such as okapi stone , astronomite , pudding stone used to describe zebra store here in Australia
So what's in a name ?
The Australian zebra stones and print stones are poorly silicified siltstones that have had little if any metamorphism (natural thermal heating )
And hence tend to be very porous .
The other stones are heavily metamorphosed and became Jasper's rather than siltstones which they mostly likely were at the time they were deposited.
Google zebra stone and you will find various sites showing worked stones .
The sites may contain confusing or misleading information such as "it is only found in lake argyle and the deposit is under water" , to create th perception of rarity .
But to be fair some patterns/ locations are no longer accessible due to rising lake levels .
Hope this helps
Tomk

Tom,
Can you site some literature reference about the zebra stone from your claim. Can someone please upload some images to Mindat's gallery so I can use them in the glossary description?

Rock Currier
Crystals not pistols.

Hi Rock
It's a fair request !

Claims or otherwise , they involve years of field work in the Kimberleys and the outback , helicopters , 4wheel drives , and lots of foot work , sea planes etc
One of my specialities is Deep Time , Early life from Archean to Proterozioc . Impact structures , Banded iron formations ,ancient zircons and the oldest crustal rocks
I travel the world visiting these sites.
Scientists in this county have little time or interest in Zebra stone and quote outdated literature .
I have amassed a significant amount of scientific documentation discussing similar biogenic occurances around the world .
The Tucson show is the perfect environment to discuss these observations which I have attended there for nearly 24 years as you are well aware .
I very happy for anyone to challenge my observations , but as you realise in any scientific circles there will alway be debate and alternative theories.
I supply specimens to many research scientists and institutions world wide .
I will publish in good time , but I am too busy exploring and travelling , to be concerned whether or not someone may disagree with me .
But no one as yet has challenged me. I would welcome the debate.

The problem lays with arm chair scientists that spend little or no time in the field , and come up with theories based on a small number of selected specimens
In the museum collection and then publish without proper field experience .

The biogenic influences on Archean and Proterozoic rocks is a hotly debated subject at the moment particularly as the landing of Curiosity on Mars and it's search for life or signs of past life .
Unfortunately we are still trying to understand the origins of life of this planet. The signs are every where , we are just starting to learn how to recognise them .

It doesn't really answer your request but Its a great platform for me create some discussion and debate .

Are you aware on the scientific paper that discusses the "Evolution of Minerals " as a consequence of the oxygenation of the planet caused by Cyanobacteria in the Archean ?

Tom
very interesting, great to get your input.
Did Walcott descibe these specific structures or similar ones from America?
Unfortunately unless we get a formal reference we can quote, this sort of information can get lost or dismissed easily.

Regards,
Ralph

Hi Ralph
Its a very old reference historically and personally as well
He described them from structures found in USA which appear very simliar , in the 1920s i believe
I will try to find it , but I am about to travel shorltly
I have spent near 6 months this year out of the country .
I plan to start publishing in the next year or two but currently have some major projects and mining operations planned .
There is a face book page "Australian Crystals and Minerals" started by Patrick Gunderson , that I am regularly posting
some of my mineral projects on .
Currently in a major dispute with West Australian Museum over them trying to take away an exploration licence from the Indigenous community in Fitzroy crossing , on land they own freehold and well as Native title claim , so that they would have no right to explore and develop fossil deposits by creating a museum and research facility in the region . The scientists and the museum treat the locals with indifference , providing them a childrens book as a way of teaching them about the fossils .
I am trying to help them and encouraged the West Aust museum to get involved . Their answer is to stop the project. If scientists can control the science , they get tenure . Very disapointing and self serviving attitude .

Re zebra stone info getting lost ,, thats what google and wikipedia are good for .

Tom
everyone knows palaeontologists own the world's fossils!

There was an interesting talk at the International Geological Congress last week, about a push in America to form more fossil parks where people, children especially, can go to collect fossils (but not rare ones of course). Commercial fossil dealers were naturally discussed with disdain, but they did at least see the point in encouraging children, with the hope they will foster an future interest in geology. But it would be interesting to know what proportion of fossils in most museums was collected by professional scientists! Professional palaeontologists need to oversee and mentor collectors, to educate them and help identify and preserve the important finds, lest they become extinct themselves, but we have a long way to go.

I guess you are correct with Wikipedia etc, but its still entrenched with most older scientists that we must publish in peer-reviewed journals.

And if you ever work out how to upload photos from an ipad please let me know!

Regards,
Ralph

Hi Ralph
I will have to quote you on that one
It's great to hear there is some common sense in the USA re fossils
Peer review is great but it's becoming dated.
It really annoys me that I have to pay crazy amounts to access published articles in journal that require subscriptions
when the science s done with public funds .
The Internet is revolutionizing the way we access information . The ability to self publish without the restrictions some scientists create ensure that only their theories are advanced .
We will see a revolution of new ideas right and wrong with this open source information .
Just for curiosity google" trilobite molecule" and then consider the electromagnetic force of atoms and molecules potentially involved in evolving complex organic structures .
And the implications on this process in the evolutionary process of life .
regards tomk
It's not my theory , but this theory is being considered heretical in some scientific circles .