stromatolites
Layered microbial rocks
Stromatolites are layered rock formations created by cyanobacteria and other microorganisms.
These structures form over thousands of years as bacterial mats trap sediment and minerals, building up thin layers.
Found in shallow water environments, stromatolites provide some of Earth's oldest evidence of life—fossils date back over three billion years.
Living stromatolites still exist in a few locations, most famously in Shark Bay, Australia.
Thin flat layers
- layeredHaving multiple levels
- accretionGrowth through external addition
- sedimentationParticles settling in liquid
- carbonateAdd dissolved gas
calcification · precipitation · cementation · mineralization · banded · columnar · branching · concentric
Photosynthetic bacteria producing oxygen
- biofilmAdhesive layer of microorganisms
- photosynthesisLight-to-sugar conversion in plants
- prokaryotesOrganisms without membrane-bound nuclei
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
mat-forming · colonies · microbiota · extremophiles · metabolism · biogenic · filamentous · microorganisms
Earliest geological eon
- ArcheanEarliest geological eon
- ProterozoicEon before complex life
- primordialExisting from the start
- eonsImmense spans of time
biogenesis · primitive · evolution · oxygenation · paleobiology · abiogenesis · anoxic
Carbonate sedimentary rock
- dolomiteCalcium magnesium carbonate mineral
- chertFine-grained siliceous stone
- reefUnderwater rock or coral formation
- intertidalZone between high and low watermarks
sedimentary · outcrop · formation · isotope · paleontology · fossilization · evaporite · silicified
Southern Hemisphere continent-country
- hypersalineExcessively high salt concentration
- BahamasAtlantic island nation
- lagoonSheltered coastal shallows
- intertidalZone between high and low watermarks
analogs · Yellowstone · extant · contemporary
laminae
Thin flat layers
- layeredHaving multiple levels
- accretionGrowth through external addition
- sedimentationParticles settling in liquid
carbonate · calcification · precipitation · cementation · mineralization · banded · columnar · branching · concentric · binding
cyanobacteria
Photosynthetic bacteria producing oxygen
- biofilmAdhesive layer of microorganisms
- photosynthesisLight-to-sugar conversion in plants
- prokaryotesOrganisms without membrane-bound nuclei
bacteria · mat-forming · colonies · microbiota · extremophiles · metabolism · biogenic · filamentous · microorganisms · calcifying
Precambrian
Earliest geological eon
- ArcheanEarliest geological eon
- ProterozoicEon before complex life
- primordialExisting from the start
eons · biogenesis · primitive · evolution · oxygenation · paleobiology · abiogenesis · anoxic
limestone
Carbonate sedimentary rock
- dolomiteCalcium magnesium carbonate mineral
- chertFine-grained siliceous stone
- reefUnderwater rock or coral formation
intertidal · sedimentary · outcrop · formation · isotope · paleontology · fossilization · evaporite · silicified
Australia
Southern Hemisphere continent-country
- hypersalineExcessively high salt concentration
- BahamasAtlantic island nation
- lagoonSheltered coastal shallows
intertidal · analogs · Yellowstone · extant · contemporary
stromatolitesigneous rock
Crystallized molten material
volcanic formations · evaporites · stalagmites · stalactites · concretions