MSGID: 1:317/3 6375255f   
   PID: hpt/lnx 1.9.0-cur 2019-01-08   
   TID: hpt/lnx 1.9.0-cur 2019-01-08   
    EPOD - a service of USRA   
      
   The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes   
   and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and   
   archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory   
   captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The   
   community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and   
   relevant links.   
      
      
    Microbialites in Puna Argentina   
      
      November 16, 2022   
      
      
       Microbialitos   
      
      Photographer:  Carlos Di Nallo   
      Summary Author:  Carlos Di Nallo   
      In the lagoon shown above, in the  Catamarca province of Argentina,   
      modern  microbialites can be observed. These ecosystems are "living   
      rocks" formed by  diatom microorganisms and by various minerals.   
      They’re among the oldest ecosystems on our planet and dominated it for   
      3-billion years, producing large amounts of oxygen and are even   
      responsible for helping to create the  ozone layer.   
      
      Today, they’re found in remote areas of northwestern Argentina, an   
      environment similar to that of many regions on Earth millions of years   
      ago -- high  solar radiation and salinity conditions. They were   
      discovered by the Argentine scientist  Dr. Maria Eugenia Farias.   
      Photo taken on May 15, 2022.   
      
      Antofagasta de la Sierra, Catamarca, Argentina Coordinates:   
      -26.066667, -67.416667   
      
      
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