Trace basaltic glass microorganisms from 1.9 Gya were likely seeking phosphate near hydrothermal vents New open-access article: * Papineau, Dominic. "Ichnofossils in volcanic glass from palaeoproterozoic hydrothermal vents were burrowed by microorganisms probably seeking phosphate." _Communications Earth & Environment_ (2026). https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-026-03359-5 > Ichnofossils in basaltic glass are putative microscopic trace fossils occurring on modern seafloor and throughout Earth history. While their biological origin remains debated, it is unknown why microorganisms thrive in volcanic glass. Here we show ichnofossils associated with biosignatures from sedimentary interbeds of pillow basalt in the ~ 1870 million years old Flaherty Formation, Belcher Group, Canada. These rocks are associated with metre-size, pinnacle-shaped structures of silicified basalt, pahoehoe basalt with paleo-caliche, and isolated pods of gossan indicating shallow marine hydrothermal venting.…