Original: The chert was formed when silica-rich water from volcanic springs rose rapidly and petrified the early terrestrial ecosystem , in situ and almost instantaneously , in much the same fashion that organisms are petrified by hot springs today - although the astounding fidelity of preservation has not been found in recent deposits .
Simplified: The chert was formed when silica-rich water from volcanic springs rose and rapidly petrified the early terrestrial ecosystem in situ . Organisms are petrified that way by hot springs today , although that quality of preservation has not been found in recent deposits .