Stanley Awramik

Stanley Awramik
Professor Emeritus

Office Location

Webb 2034

Specialization

Pre-Phanerozoic Biogeology

Bio

My research interests center on understanding the early history of life on Earth. The major focus is on the fossil record during the Archean and Proterozoic, specifically on microbial fossils and stromatolites.

Publications

In Press

Mata, S.A., Corsetti, C.L., Corsetti, F.A., Awramik, S.M., and Bottjer, D.J., in press. Early Cambrian sea anemone burrows from the upper member of the Wood Canyon Formation, Death Valley region, United States: Implications for infaunal ecospace utilization. Palaios.

Sweet, S.S. and Awramik, S.M., in press. The continuing myth of creationism and intelligent design. In: V. Geist and E. Pianka (Eds.), “Evolution; Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia,” Gale Publishers, Michigan.

2011

Igisu, M., Ueno, Y., Shimojima, M., Nakashima, S., Awramik, S.M., and Maruyama, S., 2011. Micro-FTIR spectroscopic imaging of ~1900 Ma stromatolitic chert. In: V.Tewari and J.Seckbach (Eds.), Stromatolites: Interactions of Microbes with Sediments. Kluwer Academic Publishers, the Netherlands, pp. 445-461.

Yin Chongyu, Liu Pengju, Awramik, S.M., Chan Shouming, Tang Feng, Gao Linzhi, Wang Ziqiang, Riedman, L.A., 2011. Acanthomorph biostratigraphic succession of the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation in the East Yangtze Gorges, South China. Acta Geologica Sinica-English Edition, 85: 283-295.

2009

Storrie-Lombardi, M.C., Awramik, S.M., and Nesson, J., 2009. 3D characterization of stromatolites and the emergence of complexity. Proc. SPIE, 709711:1-11.

Igisu, M., Ueno, Y., Shimojima, S., Awramik, S.M., Ohta, H., and Maruyama, S.M., 2009. Micro-FTIR spectroscopic signatures of bacterial lipids in Proterozoic microfossils. Precambrian Research, 173: 19-26.

Lamb, D.M., Awramik, S.M., Chapman, D.J., and Zhu, S., 2009. Evidence for eukaryotic diversification in the ~1800 million-year-old Changzhougou Formation, North China. Precambrian Research, 173: 93-104.

Awramik, S.M. and Buchheim, H.P., 2009. A giant, Late Archean lake system: The Meentheena Member (Tumbiana Formation; Fortescue Group), Western Australia. Precambrian Research, 174: 215-240.

2007

Tang, F., Song, X., Yin, C., Liu, P., Awramik, S.M., Wang, Z., and Gao, L., 2007. Discoveries of Longfengshaniaceans from the uppermost Ediacaran (Sinian) in eastern Yunnan, South China and significance. Acta Geologica Sinica, 80: 1643-1649 (in Chinese).

Tang, F., Song, X., Yin, C., Liu, P., Awramik, S.M., Wang, Z., and Gao, L., 2007. Discoveries of new Longfengshaniaceae from the uppermost Ediacaran in eastern Yunnan, South China and the significance. Frontiers of Earth Science, 1: 142-149.

Lamb, D.M., Awramik, S.M., and Zhu, S., 2007. Paleoproterozoic compression-like structures from the Changzhougou Formationm China: Eukaryotes or clasts? Precambrian Research, 154: 236-247.

Awramik, S.M. and McNamara, K.J., 2007. The Geological Time Scale. In: Sullivan, W. and Baross, J., Eds., Planets and Life: The Emerging Field of Astrobiology. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, Appendix C, pp. 566-568.

Awramik, S.M. and McNamara, K.J., 2007. The evolution and diversification of life. In: Sullivan, W. and Baross, J., Eds., Planets and Life: The Emerging Field of Astrobiology. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. 313-334.

2006

Storrie-Lombardi, M.C. and Awramik, S.M., 2006. A sideways view of stromatolites: Complexity metrics for stromatolite laminae. Proc. SPIE, 6309:63090P-1--63090P-12. PDF

Awramik, S.M., 2006. Respect for stromatolites. Nature, 441:700-701. PDF

Igisu, M., Nakashima, S., Ueno, Y., Awramik, S.M., and Maruyama, S., 2006. In situ infrared microspectroscopy of ~850 million-year-old prokaryotic fossils. Applied Spectroscopy, 60(10):1111-1120. PDF

Shapiro, R.S. and Awramik, S.M., 2006. Favosamaceria cooperi new group and form: A widely dispersed, time-restricted thrombolites. Journal of Paleontology, 80: 411-422. PDF

2005

Awramik, S.M. and Grey, K., 2005. Stromatolites: Biogenicity, biosignatures, and bioconfusion. Proc. SPIE, 5906: 5906P-1--5906P-9. PDF

2003

Corsetti, F.A., Awramik, S.M., and Pierce, D., 2003. A complex microbiota from snowball Earth times: Microfossils from the Neoproterozoic Kingston Peak Formation, Death Valley, USA. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 100(8):4399-4404. PDF

2002

Corsetti, F.A., Shapiro, R.S., and Awramik, S.M., 2002. Proterozoic-Cambrian of the southern Death Valley region: Microbialites, carbonate depositional environments, and Neoproterozoic glacial strata. In: F.A Corsetti, (Ed.), Proterozoic-Cambrian of the Great Basin and Beyond. Pacific Section of the Society of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists, 93:1-20

Xu, Z.L. and Awramik, S.M., 2002. Gaoyuzhuang Paleobiology. Acta Botanica Sinica, 44(5):617-627.

2001

Xu, Z.L. and Awramik, S.M., 2001. New microorganisms from the Gaoyuzhuang Formation of northern Taihang Mountains, China. Acta Botanica Sinica, 43(3):295-311.

2000

Sommers, M.G., Awramik, S.M., and Woo, K.S., 2000. Evidence for initial calcite-aragonite composition of Lower Algal Chert Member ooids and stromatolites, Paleoproterozoic Gunflint Formation, Ontario, Canada. Canadian Journal Earth Sciences, 37(9):1229-1243. PDF

Shapiro, R.S. and Awramik, S.M., 2000. Microbialite morphostratigraphy as a tool for correlating Late Cambrian-Early Ordovician sequences. Journal of Geology, 108(2):171-180. PDF

Riding, R.E. and Awramik, S.M., Editors, 2000. Microbial Sediments. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 331 p.

Corsetti, F.A., Awramik, S.M., Pierce, D., and Kaufman, A.J., 2000. Using chemostratigraphy to correlate and calibrate unconformities in Neoproterozoic strata from the southern Great Basin, USA. International Geology Review, 42(6):516-533.

Awramik, S.M., Corsetti, F.A., and Shapiro, R.S., 2000. Stromatolites and the pre-Phanerozoic to Cambrian history of the area southeast of Death Valley. San Bernardino County Museum Association Quarterly, 47(2):65-74

Awramik, S.M., Buchheim, H.P., Leggitt, L., and Woo, K.S., 2000. Oncoids of the Late Pleistocene Manix Formation, Mojave Desert region, California. San Bernardino County Museum Association Quarterly, 47(2):25-31.

1999

Awramik, S.M. and Sprinkle, J., 1999. Proterozoic stromatolites: The first marine evolutionary biota. Historical Biology, 13:241-253.

1997

Cohen, A.S., Talbot, M.R., Awramik, S.M., Dettman, D.L., and Abell, P., 1997. Lake level and paleoenvironmental history of Lake Tanganyika, Africa, as inferred from late Holocene and modern stromatolites. Bulletin of the Geological Society of America, 109:440-460. PDF

1995

Humphreys, W. F., Awramik, S. M., and Jebb, M. H. P., 1995. Freshwater biogenic tufa dams in Madang Province, Papua New Guinea. Journal of Royal Society of Western Australia, 78:43-54.

1994

Awramik, S. M., Corsetti, F. A., and Shapiro, R. S., 1994. Pre-Symposium Excursion: Death Valley Region. Field Trip Guidebook for the Death Valley International Stromatolite Symposium, Laughlin, NV, p. 1 – 42.

Awramik, S. M., Editor, 1994. Death Valley International Stromatolite Symposium, Laughlin, NV, p. 1 – 98.

McNamara, K. J. and Awramik, S. M., 1994. Stromatolites: A key to understanding the early evolution of life. Science Progress, 76:345-364, 1992 (published 1994).

1992

Awramik, S. M., 1992. The oldest records of photosynthesis. Photosynthesis Research, 33:75-89. PDF

Bertrand-Sarfati, J. and Awramik, S. M., 1992. The Mescal stromatolites (Apache Group, Middle Proterozoic, central Arizona): Taxonomy, biostratigraphy, and paleoenvironments. Bulletin of the Geological Society of America, 104:1138-1155.PDF

Bertrand-Sarfati, J. and Awramik, S. M., 1992. The Mescal stromatolites (Apache Group, Middle Proterozoic, central Arizona): Taxonomy, biostratigraphy, and paleoenvironments. Bulletin of the Geological Society of America, 104:1138-1155.

Awramik, S. M., 1992. The history and significance of stromatolites. In: M. Schidlowski, et al. (Eds.), Early Organic Evolution: Implications for Mineral and Energy Resources. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, p. 435-449

Kaufman, A. J., Knoll, A. H., and Awramik, S. M., 1992. Biostratigraphic and chemostratigraphic correlation of Neoproterozoic sedimentary successions: Upper Tindir Group, northwestern Canada, as a test case. Geology, 20:181-185. PDF

1991

Valentine, J. W., Awramik, S. M., Signor, P. W., and Sadler, P. M., 1991. The biological explosion at the Precambrian-Cambrian boundary. Evolutionary Biology, 25:279-356

Riding, R., Awramik, S. M., Winsborough, B. M., Griffin, K. M., and Dill, R. F., 1991. Bahamian giant stromatolites: Microbial composition of surface mats. Geological Magazine, 128: 227-234.

Awramik, S. M., 1991. Archaean and Proterozoic stromatolites. In: R. Riding (Ed.), Calcareous Algae and Stromatolites. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, p. 289-304

1990

Kidder, D. L. and Awramik, S. M., 1990. Acritarchs in lower greenschist facies argillite of the Middle Proterozoic Libby Formation, upper Belt Supergroup, Montana. Palaios, 5:124-133.PDF

Griffin, K. M. and Awramik, S. M., 1990. Giant Bahamian stromatolites: A modern analog for what? In: J. E. Mylroie (Ed.), Proceedings of the Fourth Symposium on the Geology of the Bahamas. CCFL Publication, San Salvador Island, Bahamas, 99:169-175.

Awramik, S. M., 1990. Stromatolites. In: D. E. G. Briggs and P. R. Crowther (Eds.), Palaeobiology: A Synthesis. Blackwell, Oxford, p. 336-341

1989

Chang, S.-B.R., Stolz, J. F., Kirschvink, J. L., and Awramik, S. M., 1989. Biogenic magnetite in stromatolites: II. Occurrence in ancient sedimentary environments. Precambrian Research, 43:305-315. PDF

Allison, C. W.and Awramik, S. M., 1989. Organic-walled microfossils from earliest Cambrian or latest Proterozoic Tindir Group rocks, northwest Canada. Precambrian Research, 43:253-294. PDF

Awramik, S. M., 1989. Earth's earliest fossil record: Why not look for similar fossils on Mars. In: C. P. McKay and W. L. Davis (Eds.), Exobiology and Future Mars Missions. NASA Conference Publications, 10027:4-5.

1988

Awramik, S. M., Schopf, J. W., and Walter, M. R., 1988. Carbonaceous filaments from North Pole, Western Australia: Are they fossil bacteria in Archean stromatolites? Discussion. Precambrian Research, 39:303-309. PDF

Awramik, S. M. and Riding, R., 1988. Role of algal eukaryotes in subtidal columnar stromatolite formation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA, 85:1327-1329. PDF

1986

Margulis, L., Lopez Baluja, L., and Awramik, S. M., 1986. Community living long before man: Fossil and living microbial mats and early life. Science of the Total Environment, 56:379-397.

Vanyo, J. P., Hutchinson, R. A., and Awramik, S. M., 1986. Heliotropism in microbial stromatolitic growths at Yellowstone National Park: geophysical inferences. EOS Transactions of the American Geophysical Union, 67: 153,155-156.

Awramik, S. M., 1986. New fossil finds in old rocks. Nature, 319:446-447. PDF

Awramik, S. M., 1986. The Precambrian-Cambrian boundary and geochemical perturbations. Nature, 319:696. PDF

Awramik, S. M. and Vanyo, J. P., 1986. Heliotropism in modern stromatolites. Science, 231:1279-1281. PDF

1985

Awramik, S. M, 1985. Precambrian evolution and the rock record. In: D. Sagan (Ed.), The Global Sulfur Cycle. NASA Technical Memoir, 87570, p. 5-8.

Awramik, S. M., McMenamin D. S., Yin Chongyu, Zhao Ziqiang, Ding Qixou, and Zhang Shusen, 1985. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic microfossils from a Proterozoic/Phanerozoic transition in China. Nature, 315:55-658. PDF

Vanyo, J. P. and Awramik, S. M., 1985. Stromatolites and Earth-Sun-Moon dynamics. Precambrian Research, 29:121-142. PDF

Awramik, S. M. and Valentine, J. W., 1985. Adaptive aspects of the origin of eukaryotes. In: B. H. Tiffney (Ed.), Geological Factors and the Evolution of Plants. Yale Press, New Haven, p. 11-21

1984

Awramik, S. M., 1984. Cell (biology). McGraw-Hill 1985 Yearbook of Science and Technology, pp. 103-105. [Article on the 3,500 Ma-old Warrawoona microfossils]

Awramik, S. M., 1984. Ancient stromatolites and microbial mats. In: Y. Cohen, R. W. Castenholz, and H. O. Halvorson (Eds.), Microbial Mats: Stromatolites. A. R. Liss, N.Y., p. 1-21.

Knoll, A. H. and Awramik, S. M., 1984. Ancient microbial ecosystems. In: W. E. Krumbein (Ed.), Microbial Geochemistry. Blackwell, Oxford, p. 287-315.

1983

McMenamin, D. S., Kumar, S,. and Awramik, S. M., 1983. Microbial fossils from the Kheinjua Formation, Middle Proterozoic Semi Group (Lower Vindhyan) in the Son Valley area of central India. Precambrian Research, 21:247-271. PDF

Awramik, S. M., Schopf, J. W., and Walter, M. R., 1983. Filamentous fossil bacteria from the Archean of Western Australia. Precambrian Research, 20:357-374. PDF

1982

Vanyo, J. P. and Awramik, S. M., 1982. Length of day and obliquity of the ecliptic 850 Ma ago: preliminary results of a stromatolite growth model. Geophysical Research Letters 9(10):1125-1128

Awramik, S. M., 1982. The origins and early evolution of life. In: D. G. Smith (Ed.), The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, p. 349-362.

Abell, P. I., Awramik, S. M. Osborne, R. H., and Tomellini, S., 1982. Plio-Pleistocene lacustrine stromatolites from Lake Turkana, Kenya: Morphology, stratigraphy and stable isotopes. Sedimentary Geology, 32:1-26. PDF

Awramik, S. M., 1982. The pre-Phanerozoic fossil record. In: H. D. Holland and M. Schidlowski (Eds.), Mineral Deposits and the Evolution of the Biosphere. Dahlem Konferenzen, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, p. 67-82.

Awramik, S. M., 1982. Biogeochemical evolution of the ocean-atmosphere system. State of the Art Report. In: H. D. Holland and M. Schidlowski (Eds.), Mineral Deposits and the Evolution of the Biosphere. Dahlem Konferenzen, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, p. 309-320

1981

Knoll, A. H., Blick, N., and Awramik, S. M., 1981. Stratigraphic and ecologic implications of late Precambrian microfossils from Utah. American Journal of Science, 281:247-263.

Awramik, S. M., 1981. The pre-Phanerozoic biosphere - three billion years of crises and opportunities. In: M. H. (Ed.), Biotic Crises in Ecological and Evolutionary Time. Academic Press, N.Y., pp. 83-102.

1980

Awramik, S. M., 1980. Blue-green algal cell degradation and the pre-Phanerozoic fossil record. International Precambrian Geology, Tianjin Institute of Geology and Mineral Resources, (1): 31-33 (in Chinese).

Awramik, S. M., 1980. Stromatolites and blue-green algae. International Precambrian Geology, Tianjin Institute of Geology and Mineral Resources, (1): 29-31 (in Chinese).

Awramik, S. M., 1980. Cyanobacteria and the fossil record. International Precambrian Geology, Tianjin Institute of Geology and Mineral Resources, (1): 27-29 (in Chinese).

1979

Cloud, P., Awramik, S. M. Morrison, K., and Hadley, D. G. 1979. Earliest Phanerozoic or latest Proterozoic fossils from the Arabian Shield. Precambrian Research, 10:73-93. PDF

Awramik, S. M., 1979, Editor. Stromatolite Newsletter, No. 7, 66 pp.

Semikhatov, M. A., Gebelein C. D., Cloud, P., Awramik, S. M., and Benmore, W. C. 1979. Stromatolite morphogenesis--progress and problems. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 16(5):992-1015.

Walter, M. R. and Awramik S. M. 1979. Frutexites from stromatolites of the Gunflint Iron Formation of Canada, and its biological affinities. Precambrian Research, 9:22-23. PDF

Awramik, S. M., Hofmann, H. J., Haupt, A., and Walter, M. R. 1979. Stromatolite Bibliography - 2. Precambrian Research, 9:105-166. PDF

Awramik, S. M. and Semikhatov, M. A. 1979. The relationship between morphology, microstructure and microbiota in Gunflint stromatolites. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 16(3):484-495.

1978

Knoll, A. H., Barghoorn, E. S., and Awramik, S. M. 1978. New microorganisms from the Aphebian Gunflint Iron Formation, Ontario. Journal of Paleontology, 52(5):976-992. PDF

Awramik, S. M. and Semikhatov, M. A. 1979. The relationship between morphology, microstructure and microbiota in Gunflint stromatolites. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 16(3):484-495

Knoll, A. H., Barghoorn, E. S., and Awramik, S. M. 1978. New microorganisms from the Aphebian Gunflint Iron Formation, Ontario. Journal of Paleontology, 52(5):976-992

Awramik, S. M. and Barghoorn, E. S. 1978. Bibliography of Precambrian paleontology and paleobiology. Botanical Museum Leaflets, Harvard Univ., 26(2-4):65-175.

Awramik, S. M., 1978, Editor, Stromatolite Newsletter, No. 6, 73 pp.

Awramik, S. M., 1978. Stromatolites with coccoid and filamentous blue-green algae of Messinian age from site 374--Ionian Abyssal Plain. In: Initial Reports of the Deep Sea Drilling Project, K. Hsu, L. Montadert, et al., (Eds.), Washington, D.C., 42(1):665-668.

Link, M. H., Osborne, R. H., and Awramik, S. M., 1978. Lacustrine stromatolites and associated sediments of the Pliocene Ridge Route Formation, Ridge Basin, California. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, 48:143-158.

Awramik, S. M., Gebelein, C. D., and Cloud, P. 1978. Biogeologic relationships of ancient stromatolites and modern analogs. In: Environmental Biogeochemistry and Geomicrobiology, W. E. Krumbein (Ed.), Ann Arbor Science, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 1:165-178.

1977

Awramik, S. M., 1977. Paleophycology. Review of Fossil Algae, Erik Flugel (Ed.). Science, 197:1072.

Awramik, S. M., and Barghoorn, E. S. 1977. The Gunflint microbiota. Precambrian Research, 5:121-142. PDF

Link, M. H., Osborne, R. H., and Awramik, S. M. 1977. Lacustrine stromatolites, Pliocene Ridge Basin, California. In: Geological Guidebook to the Ridge Basin. South Coast Geological Society, Tustin, Calif., p. 24-27.

Awramik, S. M., 1977. Paleobiology of stromatolites. In: Chemical Evolution of the Early Precambrian, C. Ponnamperuma (Ed.), Academic Press, New York, p. 111-131

Awramik, S. M. Stromatolite Newsletter. No. 5, 76 pp.

Awramik, S. M., 1977. Stromatolite Newsletter. Lethaia Newsletter Presentations. Lethaia, 10:42

1976

Awramik, S. M., Hofmann H. J. and Raaben, M. E. 1976. Bibliography. In: Stromatolites, M. R. Walter (Ed.), Elsevier, Amsterdam, p. 705-772.

Awramik, S. M, 1976. Selective subject index to the bibliography. In: Stromatolites, M. R. Walter (Ed.), Elsevier, Amsterdam, p. 697-704.

Awramik, S. M., Margulis L. and Barghoorn, E. S. 1976. Evolutionary processes in the formation of stromatolites. In: Stromatolites, M. R. Walter (Ed.), Elsevier, Amsterdam, p. 149-162.

Awramik, S. M., 1976. Gunflint stromatolites: microfossil distribution in relation to stromatolite morphology. In: Stromatolites, M. R. Walter (Ed.), Elsevier, Amsterdam, p. 311-320.

1975

Awramik, S. M., Logan, B. W.. MacGregor, A. R Playford, P. E.. Rezak, R Von der Borch, C. C. and Walter, M. R. 1975. Conservation of Hamelin Pool, Western Australia. Department of Environmental Protection Publication, Western Australia, 21 pp.

1971

Awramik, S. M., 1971. Precambrian columnar stromatolite diversity: reflection of metazoan appearance. Science, 1974:825-827. PDF

Courses

EARTH 3. Principles of Historical Geology

EARTH 3H. Principles of Historical Geology (Honors)

EARTH 3LX. Principles of Historical Geology (Laboratory)

EARTH 30. The History of Life

EARTH 30H. History of Life (Honors)

EARTH 120. Field Paleobiology

EARTH 189. Seminar in Paleobiology

EARTH 190. Advanced Studies in Paleobiology