Terrestrial hot-spring siliceous sinter is a common surface product formed in the emerging and precipitation of silicate hydrothermal fluids in geothermal environments.Its unique microbial textures and geochemical characteristics have important implications in the study of latent geothermal resources,paleoenvironment, paleoclimate,and early life origin.Due to its manifestation of the geothermal system heat source on the terrestrial surface,its depositional and diagenetic process is affected by biotic and abiotic interactions in different depositional environments,and exhibits different petromineralogy and geochemical characteristics on the earth′s surface.In recent years geologists have studied the types of heat sources,the textures characteristics,symbiotic minerals,isotopes and trace elements,and the role of microorganisms in the formation of terrestrial hot springs siliceous sinter.However,due to the influence of complex external conditions such as thermal reservoir lithology,evaporative cooling of hot spring water,pH changes and microbial growth during the depositional and diagenetic process of hot springs siliceous sinter,further studies are needed on the formation environment,geological characteristics of sinter and factors controlling the formation mechanism of sinter.Based on a literature review and our research in the Tengchong geothermal field,Yunnan,we reviewed the current research progress in terrestrial hot spring siliceous deposits in China and abroad.We not only summarize the basic characteristics of terrestrial hot springs siliceous sinter,such as mineral diversity,abundant structure and morphology,complex geochemical characteristics, and close relationship with the heat source of geothermal system,but also sum up the abiotic and biological control factors affecting the formation of terrestrial hot springs siliceous sinter,such as cooling,evaporation, pH values,cation effect and microbial activity.We propose that some problems still remain in the current study of sinter deposits in terrestrial hot springs,for example,the unclarified interpretation of the cause of sinter textures,the weak relationship between microorganisms and micro-structures of the hot springs sinter and trace elements and isotope geochemistry and the complexity of the influence of human activities on the deposition of sinter.We suggest that the next step of research should be to investigate the action mechanism of isotope fractionation,trace elements and major elements in the depositional and diagenetic process of sinter and that we should make comprehensive geophysical-chemical-microbial relationship analysis to clarify the cause of the formation of hot spring siliceous sinter and the factors controlling the deposition of sinter and the role of microorganisms in the growth of sinter so as to understand in depth the complexity of hot springs sinter formation and its global relevance.This study may provide a more comprehensive understanding of terrestrial hot spring siliceous deposits and be an inspiration for further research.