stromatolite Hear it!

stromatolite Definition

stro·mato·lite (strō mat′ə līt′)

noun

a laminated, sedimentary rock structure formed primarily in Precambrian shallow pools by mats of sticky, blue-green algae, which trapped layers of silt, esp. of calcium carbonate: these wavy or round formations serve as evidence for dating the first life forms on earth and are still being produced today

Related Forms:

stromatolite Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • call: The reef structures are called stromatolites, which means they are sheet, or layered in shape.
  • discover: Careful hunting in the limestone revealed examples of the algal laminations and small domed stromatolites discovered by Margaret Wood and colleagues in the 70s.

Modifies a noun

  • reef: This means the term " algal " stromatolite reef is no longer current scientific usage.