Stromatolites: Discovered
Researchers have discovered living stromatolites on Sheybarah Island in the Red Sea, Saudi Arabia.
- Stromatolites are layered rock formations created by microbial communities, representing some of the earliest evidence of life on Earth.
- These structures are formed as layers of sediment accumulated over time, trapping and binding microorganisms like cyanobacteria.
- As these microorganisms grow and photosynthesize, they produce layers of carbonate minerals, gradually building up the stromatolite structure.
- Despite their simple appearance, stromatolites played a crucial role in shaping Earth’s early environment and are considered significant in the study of early life and evolutionary history.
