S279 Our dynamic planet: Earth and life Science: Level 2 Book 2 Part 1 Earth and Life Edited by Charles Cockell Authors: Charles Cockell, Richard Corfield, Neil Edwards and Nigel Harris Acknowledgement The S279 Course Team gratefully acknowledges the contributions of members of the S269 Earth and Life (1997) Course Team. Cover image: Folded layers of a banded iron formation (BIF or banded ironstone). Banded ironstone is a rock formed from alternating layers of the iron oxide mineral hematite (red) and tiger eye and jasper. At greater than 3 billion years of age these are among the oldest rocks on Earth. They were laid down in shallow seas where primitive bacteria caused iron to be oxidised and precipitated. Subsequent deep burial of the rocks, and tectonic movements, have caused the rock to alter and deform. This small sample is around 2 cm across. The rock has been cut open to expose the banding (strata), and also polished for display. Many BIFs come from Western Australia. (Dirk Wiersma/Science Photo Library) This publication forms part of an Open University course S279 Our dynamic planet: Earth and life. Details of this and other Open University courses can be obtained from the Student Registration and Enquiry Service, The Open University, PO Box 197, Milton Keynes MK7 6BJ, United Kingdom: tel. +44 (0)845 300 60 90, email
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