Keelatuks

Keelatuks, also known as the Keelatuk Formation, is a geological formation found in the Northwest Territories of Canada. It is part of the larger Arctic Platform, a Precambrian craton that has been stable since the Proterozoic eon. The Keelatuk Formation is notable for its rich fossil record, particularly of early multicellular organisms, which date back to around 1.2 billion years ago. These fossils provide valuable insights into the early evolution of life on Earth.

The formation is characterized by its sedimentary rocks, which include shales, sandstones, and limestones. These rocks were deposited in a shallow marine environment, suggesting that the area was once part of a continental shelf. The Keelatuk Formation is part of the larger Franklinian Basin, a sedimentary basin that formed during the Proterozoic eon.

The Keelatuk Formation has been the subject of extensive scientific research, particularly in the field of paleontology. The fossils found within the formation have helped scientists understand the early evolution of multicellular life and the environmental conditions of the Proterozoic eon. The formation is also of interest to geologists studying the tectonic history of the Arctic Platform and the processes that shaped the Earth's crust during the Proterozoic eon.