Thick section of banded diatomite deposits. The diatoms are white, while the peat-like darker material is characteristic of anaerobic (without oxygen) pond mud. The swirls in the profile were caused by disturbances to the pond deposits while they were still fresh and wet. In some cases, the tromping of heavy animals like the extinct bison is believed to have caused such disturbances. Photo by Glen Evans, courtesy Texas Memorial Museum.
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