Geobiology involves the study of both modern and ancient environments and life therein. This GRC will discuss the latest research highlights in geobiology and will invite exciting case studies that demonstrate the potential of this interdisciplinary research field. The aim is to involve geoscientists as well as bioscientists into this discussion and to initiate collaboration between the disciplines. It is not only relevant to the appearance and evolution of life and habitats on Earth, but has implications for the detection of life on other planetary systems.

This inaugural session links studies of both modern and ancient microbial ecosystems in order to understand the evolution of early life on Earth. It focuses on environments represented in Hadean and Archean rocks and in the present. Investigations in modern settings document microbial mats interacting with physical sediment dynamics by biostabilization. Sedimentary structures such as MISS or stromatolites are the remnants of microbial/mineral interactions as preserved in banded iron formations, chert, sandstones, and carbonate rocks. Isotope geochemistry helps reveal early metabolic pathways and allows conclusions on the evolution of major prokaryotic groups. The evolution of Earth’s earliest crust and atmosphere set the stage for the origin and proliferation of life. The study of modern analogue environments provides a window into Earth’s most ancient worlds, from the Hadean to the Archean Eras.