Thrombolite facts for kids

Thrombolites are ancient groups of tiny living things called microbes. These microbes can make their own food using sunlight, just like plants do. They are similar to stromatolites, which are also formed by microbes, but thrombolites look different.

Stromatolites have clear layers, like a stack of pancakes. But thrombolites do not have these neat layers. Instead, they look more like clumpy, lumpy rocks. They formed in shallow water. Tiny microbes, especially a type called cyanobacteria, would trap and hold small grains of sand or mud. Over time, these grains would get cemented together, forming the thrombolite structure.

How Thrombolites Formed

Thrombolites are like natural "clumps" of rock. They grew slowly in shallow water. Imagine tiny sticky microbes on the seafloor. As water moved, it carried tiny bits of sand and mud. The sticky microbes would catch these bits. Then, the microbes would glue them together. This process happened over and over. It built up the lumpy thrombolite structures.

Thrombolites in History

Thrombolites were very common a long, long time ago. They lived during periods called the Cambrian and early Ordovician. These times were hundreds of millions of years ago. Back then, they were a big part of the ocean environment. Today, very few places on Earth still have living thrombolites. They are rare and special.

Where Can We Find Modern Thrombolites?

One of the most famous places to see modern thrombolites is Lake Clifton, Western Australia. This lake has unique conditions. These conditions allow these ancient microbial communities to still grow there today. Studying these living thrombolites helps scientists understand how life was on Earth long ago.

Images for kids

• 

  Modern thrombolites in Lake Clifton, Western Australia

See also

In Spanish: Trombolito para niños