| Abstract: | Several definitions of stromatolites are discussed and Kalkowsky's most important statements about stromatolites are translated from German to English. A new definition for stromatolites is proposed, namely “Stromatolites are laminated rocks, the origin of which can clearly be related to the activity of microbial communities, which by their morphology, physiology and arrangement in space and time interact with the physical and chemical environment to produce a laminated pattern which is retained in the final rock structure”. Unconsolidated laminated systems, clearly related to the activity of microbial communities and often called “recent stromatolites” or “living stromatolites”, are defined as “potential stromatolites”.The main microbial activities which are important in the formation of potential stromatolites and stromatolites are described and examples of stromatolites of various types, including iron stromatolites, are also described. |
