Thanks to algae, scientists were able to detect the fact of an ancient earthquake. In this respect informs University of Otago.
The authors of a paper published in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface conducted a study of the shape of rocks in Marlborough, New Zealand, using lidar. Lidar or “laser radar” fixes even small protrusions, allowing you to create accurate three-dimensional maps of the terrain. Laser scanning revealed a rock protruding one meter from the sea. After that, the scientists did a genetic analysis of the kelp algae growing under this ledge.
As a result, a genetic anomaly of local plants was discovered, in the analysis of which scientists were able to reconstruct ancient events. It turned out that this moss died in the area after the earthquake, and that modern plants are descendants of a later settlement, originating from algae growing 300 kilometers south.
The authors believe that the earthquake that killed the native algae occurred about 2000-3000 years ago, demonstrating the algae’s ability to bear traces of geological changes.
“The region is close to a well-known active fault and several major earthquakes in the past have been well studied by other researchers. However, this particular coastal uplift region was previously unknown – but we now have extremely clear evidence,” says Professor John Waters.
Formerly paleontologists saidwhere live “bagels” live obama 550 million years old.