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 .
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 .