Zebra rock and other Ediacaran paleosols from Western Australia. Issue 4 (19th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Retallack, G. J.
• Is Part Of: Australian journal of earth sciences. Volume 68:Issue 4(2021)
• Page Start: 532
• Page End: 556
• Publication Date: 2021-05-19
• Subjects: Ranford Formation -- Ediacaran -- paleosols -- Yangtziramulus -- Palaeopascichnus; Earth sciences -- Australia -- Periodicals; Earth sciences -- Periodicals; Geology -- Australia -- Periodicals; Geology -- Periodicals; 559.405
• DOI: 10.1080/08120099.2020.1820574
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0812-0099

Abstract

Abstract: Zebra rock is an ornamental stone from the early Ediacaran, Ranford Formation, around and in Lake Argyle, south of Kununurra, Western Australia. It has been regarded as a marine clay, liquid crystal, groundwater alteration, unconformity paleosol or product of acid sulfate weathering. This study supports the latter hypothesis and finds modern analogues for its distinctive red banding in mottling of gleyed soils. Other acid sulfate paleosols of desert playas (Gypsids) are also are found in the Ranford Formation, as well as calcareous desert paleosols (Calcids). The megafossil Palaeopaschnicnus also found in associated grey shales may have been a chambered protozoan, but Yangtziramulus in calcic paleosols is most like a microbial earth lichen. Soil climofunctions are evidence of an arid, cool temperate climate during the early Ediacaran. KEY POINTS: Ornamental stones known as 'zebra rock' are interpreted as Ediacaran gleyed soils. Gypsum desert-rose beds are interpreted as Ediacaran acid sulfate soils (Gypsids). Calcareous nodular loess beds are interpreted as Ediacaran desert soils (Gypsids).