Stromatolysis [Troma (Base Stromat-) + Greek. Lysis Decomposition, Raspa]

**Stromatolysis**

In order to understand what stromatolites are, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the process of stromatolysis.

Stromatolysis is the process of stone formation that occurs from already formed sedimentary rocks or sediments. This process begins when rocks and sediments become coated with hydrothermal silicic acid deposits, and then the acid solution hardens. This creates mineralized structures on the surface of the stone, which are also known as stromatolytic layers. They can be formed by water, wind and chemical reactions, depending on the terrain, time of day and geological history of a particular place.

One of the most famous examples of stromatolysis is the kalinite structure in the Rocky Mountains of North America. This structure was formed as a result of the formation of calinite, a mineral that contains the minerals silica and sulfur. A stromatolytic layer up to several meters in diameter formed on the surface of the stone as a result of the dissolution process.

Another example