Ancient 'Elephant Skin' Rocks Reveal Microbial Life in Deep Ocean

Geologists discover unexpected fossilized microbial mats in Morocco, challenging assumptions about where ancient microbes could thrive.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 6:38am

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A highly structured abstract painting in muted tones of green, blue, and brown, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise botanical spirals, conceptually representing the complex interplay of chemical forces and microbial ecosystems in the deep ocean.An abstract visualization of the unexpected discovery of ancient microbial life thriving in the deep, dark ocean, challenging long-held assumptions about the fossil record.Martindale Today

Geologist Rowan Martindale discovered a puzzling wrinkled rock formation in Morocco that resembled fossilized microbial mats, despite the deep ocean setting being at odds with where scientists expected to find such structures. Martindale and her team propose that a nutrient influx from an underwater landslide allowed chemosynthetic microbes to flourish in the dark, deep ocean environment, challenging long-held assumptions about the fossil record.

Why it matters

This discovery could have broad implications, as chemosynthetic microbial communities may have been more widespread than previously believed, with their fossils potentially being more common in the rock record than scientists have recognized. It also highlights the need for clearer terminology to distinguish between physical and biological rock formations.

The details

In 2016, Martindale was hiking in Morocco when she noticed a slab of sedimentary rock covered in a wrinkled texture resembling elephant skin. She recognized this as a potential fossilized microbial mat, but the deep ocean setting was unexpected, as these structures were thought to only form in shallow, sunlit waters. Martindale and her team propose that an underwater landslide delivered nutrients to the seafloor, allowing chemosynthetic microbes to thrive in the dark, deep ocean environment, forming the wrinkled structures. Similar modern ecosystems, such as those found on whale carcasses, provide clues to how these ancient microbes may have survived.

  • In 2016, Martindale discovered the unusual rock formation in Morocco.
  • The rock layer containing the wrinkled texture dates back more than 180 million years, to the Early Jurassic period.

The players

Rowan Martindale

An associate professor at The University of Texas at Austin's Jackson School of Geosciences who discovered the unusual rock formation in Morocco and led the research to interpret its origins.

Jake Bailey

A professor at the University of Minnesota who studies how microbes influence Earth's systems and commented on the significance of the findings.

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What they’re saying

“I looked at the wrinkles and I was like, 'These aren't supposed to be in rocks like this. What the heck is going on?'”

— Rowan Martindale, Associate Professor

“In the present, some of the largest microbial ecosystems on our planet are found in the dark ocean. The research here shows that certain ancient sedimentary structures may record the presence of these chemolithotrophs rather than phototrophs (organisms that need sunlight to make energy).”

— Jake Bailey, Professor

What’s next

The research team plans to continue studying the rock formations and exploring the implications for understanding ancient microbial communities and their role in Earth's history.

The takeaway

This unexpected discovery challenges long-held assumptions about where ancient microbes could thrive, suggesting chemosynthetic communities may have been more widespread than previously believed. It highlights the need for clearer terminology and a closer examination of the rock record to uncover the full story of life on Earth.