Description

At Hamelin Pool, the world's oldest organisms can be seen - stromatolites. Stromatolites are the result of primitive life forms that first existed on earth 3.5 billion years ago. The dome shaped structures reach up to 60cm in height and are formed by single celled organisms called cyanobacteria. The process continues today.

The stromatolites in Hamelin Pool were discovered by scientists in 1956 and were the first living examples of structures built by cyanobacteria. They are similar to 3,500 million year old stromatolite fossils. Stromatolites are an example of the earliest record of life on earth.

Hamelin Pool has approximately double the salinity of the ocean providing an ideal environment for the Stromatolites to grow and inhibiting other marine life. The cyanobacteria live in communities on the sea bed in densities of 3000 million individuals per square metre. They are the simplest life forms to use photosynthesis to provide food and oxygen. They provided the early Earth with much of its oxygen atmosphere billions of years before plants appeared.

Photos

Videos

Following members have been to this place

Other Spots in Western Australia