Recent research as formulated a preliminary procedure, based on heliotropism in Australian (Bitter Springs) columnar stromatolites, that has an exciting potential for deducing ancient Earth-Sun-Moon dynamics and plate movements over most of the Earth's existence. The heliotropic model is supported by observations of heliotropism in present day stromatolites forming in the hot springs at Yellowstone National Parks and in Shark Bay, Western Australia. There is considerable evidence that stromatolite laminae (ancient and present) often represent day- night sequences, which combined with observed sinusoidal columnar growth patterns due to changing seasonal solar inclination (annual) provides information of days per year, lunar distance, obliquity of the ecliptic, etc. Preservation of the paleomagnetic field combined with the spin-axis north-south direction of the heliotropically inclined columns provides information on magnetic pole and continental plate locations and orientations. Useful paleomagnetic fields have been observed in random selection of stromatolite columns of various minerals and ages. Research objectives for the first year's effort are: 1) conduct a literature and letter search to formalize locations and geological ages of useful columnar stromatolites on each continent, 2) collect specimens from a second site known to have columnar stromatolites with probably utility (Tindir region, east-central Alaska), 3) perform laboratory analyses of existing specimens from central Australia and specimens from the Tindir region in Alaska, 4) monitor stromatolitic growth at Yellowstone as a function of environmental factors. The second year will include analytical modeling of geophysical parameters using stromatolitic evidence.
