The New Yorker recently printed an article about the ebola virus. It was stated in the article that no viruses have ever been found in the fossil record, suggesting that viruses are very new on the life scene on earth. Its true that I have heard of no fossil viruses, during my geologic education, nor since. The New Yorker seemed to suggest that none had ever been found period, living or fossiliferous, until the 19th century. Does anyone know if this is really true? How old ARE viruses? Carol's forwarded article suggested "eons". Geologically speaking, the "shortest" eon is the one we are in, which is a mere 570 million years old today (plus or minus a few million years). Mary. _________________________________________________________________________ Mary Simmons U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Division Albuquerque, New Mexico (505)262-5332 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
