Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter
  • Published:

A fossil hydrothermal worm assemblage from the Tynagh lead–zinc deposit in Ireland

Nature volume 313, pages 128–131 (1985)Cite this article

Abstract

Fossil hydrothermal chimneys were first discovered at Silvermines1, Ireland. Subsequent discoveries of fossils associated with mounds and chimneys in sulphide deposits within the ophiolite complexes of Cyprus2 and Oman3 prove that life forms similar to those colonising active vents on the East Pacific Rise4–7 were extant 100 Myr ago around ridge crest hot springs. Here I report the discovery of 350-Myr-old worm-like fossils recovered from pyrite chimneys associated with sedimentary-exhalative mineralization at Tynagh, Ireland. This find suggests that even older examples of life existing at seafloor hot springs may be awaiting discovery.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Larter, R. C. L., Boyce, A. J. & Russell, M. J. Mineralium Deposita 16, 309–318 (1981).

    Google Scholar 

  2. Oudin, E. & Constantinou, G. Nature 308, 349–352 (1984).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Haymon, R. M., Koski, R. A. & Sinclair, C. Science 223, 1407–1409 (1984).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Speiss, F. N. et al. Science 207, 1421–1433 (1980).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  5. Corliss, J. B. et al. Science 203, 1073–1082 (1979).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Corliss, J. B. & Ballard, R. D. Natn. Geogr. 152, 440–453 (1977).

    Google Scholar 

  7. Ballard, R. D. & Grassle, J. F. Natn. Geogr. 156, 680–705 (1979).

    Google Scholar 

  8. Banse, K. Prog. Oceanogr. 2, 53–125 (1964).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  9. Edmond, J. M. et al. Earth planet Sci. Lett. 46, 1–18 (1979).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Jones, M. L. Proc. biol. Soc. Wash. 93(4), 1295–1313 (1980).

    Google Scholar 

  11. Jones, M. L. Science 213, 333–336 (1981).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Felbeck, H. Science 213, 336–338 (1981).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Narita, S. S. et al. Min. Geol. 27(2), 119–132 (1977).

    Google Scholar 

  14. Scott, S. D. Geosci. Canada 8(3), 103–104 (1981).

    Google Scholar 

  15. Russell, M. J., Boyce, A. J., Larter, R. C. L. & Samson, I. M. in Mineral Exploration in Ireland, 171–172 (Irish Association for Economic Geology, 1981).

    Google Scholar 

  16. Derry, C. J., Clark, G. R. & Gillatt, N. Econ. Geol. 60, 1218–1237 (1965).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Morrissey, C. J. & Whitehead, D. Proc. 9th Commomw. Min. Metall. Congr. Vol. 2, 131–145 (London Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, 1970).

    Google Scholar 

  18. Russell, M. J., Solomon, M. & Walshe, J. L. Mineralium Deposita 16, 113–127 (1981).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Boast, A. M., Coleman, M. L. & Halls, C. Econ. Geol. 76, 27–55 (1981).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Haymon, R. M. & Kastner, M. Earth planet Sci. Lett. 53, 363–381 (1981).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Koski, R. A., Clague, D. A. & Oudin, E. Bull. geol. Soc. Am. 95, 930–945 (1984).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Boyce, A. J., Coleman, M. L. & Russell, M. J. Nature 306, 545–550 (1983).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Russell, M. J. in Short Course in Sediment Hosted Stratiform Lead–Zinc Deposits Vol. 8, 252–282 (Mineralogical Association of Canada, 1983).

    Google Scholar 

  24. Samson, I. M. & Russell, M. J. Trans. Instn Min. Metall. B 92, 67–71 (1983).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Boyce, A. J., Anderton, R. & Russell, M. J. Trans. Instn Min. Metall. B 92, 55–66 (1983).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Geology, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G1 1XJ, UK

    David A. Banks

Authors
  1. David A. Banks
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Banks, D. A fossil hydrothermal worm assemblage from the Tynagh lead–zinc deposit in Ireland. Nature 313, 128–131 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1038/313128a0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/313128a0

This article is cited by

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Advanced search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing