Geyserite

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Geyserite from Iceland

Geyserite, or siliceous sinter, is a form of opaline silica that is often found as crusts or layers around hot springs and geysers. Botryoidal geyserite is known as fiorite. Geyserite is porous due to the silica enclosing many small cavities.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Siliceous sinter should not be confused with calcareous sinter, which is made of calcium carbonate.

In May 2017, evidence of the earliest known life on land may have been found in 3.48-billion-year-old geyserite uncovered in the Pilbara Craton of Western Australia.<ref name="PO-20170509">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="NC-20170509">Template:Cite journal</ref>

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Geyserite basin at Chinese Spring, Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone

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See also

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External links

• Mindat with location data