Ancient banded iron formations in Western Australia where alternating layers of iron and silica record the rusting of Earth's oceans 2.5 billion years ago. Each red stripe represents a pulse of oxygen released by early photosynthetic life.
James St. John, CC BY 2.0
A Planet-Wide Chemical Reaction
The vast, rust-colored landscapes of the Hamersley Range in Western Australia are a record of one of the most significant changes in Earth's history. These rocks, known as banded iron formations (BIFs), are composed of alternating layers of iron oxides, like hematite and magnetite, and silica-rich chert. Deposited on an ancient seafloor between 2.6 and 2.45 billion years ago, these formations can reach a cumulative thickness of over 900 meters. They are the product of a world before deep biological and atmospheric change.
Before about 2.5 billion years ago, Earth's oceans were filled with dissolved iron, and the atmosphere was almost entirely devoid of free oxygen. The appearance of cyanobacteria, early photosynthetic microbes, changed everything. These organisms released oxygen as a waste product into the seawater. This new, highly reactive gas immediately combined with the dissolved iron, causing it to precipitate as insoluble iron oxides that settled in fine layers on the ocean floor. The resulting BIFs are a record of the planet's oceans rusting. The distinct banding seen in the rocks reflects cyclic variations in this process; the red iron-rich layers represent periods of high oxygen production, while the darker, silica-rich layers indicate times when iron precipitation was slower.
A Library of Ancient Life
The Hamersley Basin contains the thickest and most extensive BIF deposits in the world, covering an area of approximately 60,000 square kilometers. Two of the most significant units within the basin are the Marra Mamba Iron Formation and the younger Brockman Iron Formation. The Brockman Iron Formation is particularly well-known and is subdivided into members, including the Dales Gorge Member. The Dales Gorge Member is about 120-180 meters thick and shows a remarkably consistent pattern of 17 BIF macrobands alternating with 16 shale macrobands that can be traced across the entire basin.
The incredible regularity and fine scale of this layering have led some scientists to interpret the patterns as evidence of ancient climate cycles. The fine microbands, some less than a millimeter thick, may even represent daily or seasonal pulses of microbial activity tied to sunlight. More recent studies suggest that some of the larger-scale banding patterns correlate with Milankovitch cycles—long-term variations in Earth's orbit that influence climate. The Hamersley BIFs are a record of early life's impact on the atmosphere, and record the solar system's astronomical rhythms from billions of years ago. Today, these ancient chemical sediments are economically important, with the Pilbara region accounting for more than 60% of the world's iron reserves.
💡Fun Facts
Some layers of the BIFs are rich in magnetite, making the rocks naturally magnetic.
The total amount of oxygen captured in the world's banded iron formations is estimated to be ten to twenty times the amount in our modern atmosphere.
The Banyjima, Kurrama, and Innawonga Aboriginal people are the traditional owners of the land, with a history in the region that dates back at least 20,000 years.
The stunning gorges of Karijini National Park, such as Hamersley Gorge, offer some of the most dramatic and accessible exposures of these ancient rock layers.
Accessible 24/7 via Karijini National Park, but gorge access is strictly daylight hours only and dependent on weather conditions. Do not enter gorges if rain is forecast, as flash floods are a serious risk.
Admission
Park entry fees apply for Karijini National Park.
Accessibility
The region is remote and rugged. Lookouts may have sealed paths, but descending into the gorges involves steep, uneven trails with rock steps and ladders. A 4WD vehicle is often recommended for accessing different areas of the park.
