Q. What are stromatolites, recently seen in news?
Answer:
Layered sedimentary formations
Notes: An international study announced the discovery of living shallow-marine stromatolites on Sheybarah Island, Red Sea, Saudi Arabia. Stromatolites, sedimentary formations, are primarily created by photosynthetic microorganisms like cyanobacteria. Their surface layer hosts active microbes, while the underlying build-up resembles lithified remnants of past microbial communities. Stromatolites played a vital role in the Great Oxygenation Event, altering Earth's atmosphere. The world's largest living stromatolite system is found in Hamelin Pool.