Proterozoic Microfossils from the Roper Group, Northern Territory
Updated 1mo ago
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Description
The Roper Group in Northern Territory, Australia, is a shallow water sedimentary sequence with a minimum age of approximately 1300 million years. Shales from the McMinn Formation contain an assemblage of microfossils, including algal cells, filaments, and large acritarchs, preserved in a good state due to low thermal metamorphism. Geochemical studies indicate the organic matter composition is appropriate for oil generation.
Use Cases
Analyze eukaryotic life indicators based on descriptions of probable life cycles and endospory.
Study organic matter maturation for hydrocarbon generation based on geochemical and petrographic studies.
Compare microbiotas from different depositional environments based on the described fluvial, deltaic, and marine settings.
Investigate preservation quality of microfossils based on the low degree of thermal metamorphism mentioned.
Strengths
Microfossils are in a particularly good state of preservation due to low thermal metamorphism.
Geochemical and petrographic studies provide context for organic matter composition and maturation.
The flora is described as very advanced for its geological age, offering a distinct comparative point.
Limitations
Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
Data may reflect geographic bias inherent to data_gov_au, focusing solely on one Australian formation.
Provenance
Source
Australian Ocean Data Network
Time Range
Proterozoic era, minimum age approximately 1300 million years.
Freshness
Last updated 2026-05-05 02:42:25.520475; freshness should be verified.
Geography
Roper Group, Northern Territory, Australia.
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