stromatolite

Meaning

Noun

• A laminated, columnar, rock-like structure constituting a large share of all fossils from 3.5 to 0.5 billion years ago, with some still being formed at present, some or all of which result from the deposit of minerals by microorganisms such as cyanobacteria.

Origin

• From Ancient Greek στρώματα (plural of στρῶμα) + λίθος.