An approximate timescale of key Paleoproterozoic events. Axis scale: millions of years ago.
Proposed redefinition(s)
2420–1780 Ma Gradstein et al., 2012
Proposed subdivisions
Oxygenian Period, 2420–2250 Ma
Gradstein et al., 2012 Jatulian/Eukaryian Period, 2250–2060 Ma Gradstein et al., 2012 Columbian Period, 2060–1780 Ma
Gradstein et al., 2012
Etymology
Name formality
Formal
Alternate spelling(s)
Palaeoproterozoic
Usage information
Celestial body
Earth
Regional usage
Global (ICS)
Time scale(s) used
ICS Time Scale
Definition
Chronological unit
Era
Stratigraphic unit
Erathem
Time span formality
Formal
Lower boundary definition
Defined Chronometrically
Lower GSSA ratified
1991[1]
Upper boundary definition
Defined Chronometrically
Upper GSSA ratified
1991[1]
The Paleoproterozoic Era[4] (also spelled Palaeoproterozoic) is the first of the three sub-divisions (eras) of the Proterozoic eon, and also the longest era of the Earth's geological history, spanning from 2,500 to 1,600 million years ago (2.5–1.6 Ga). It is further subdivided into four geologic periods, namely the Siderian, Rhyacian, Orosirian and Statherian.
Paleontological evidence suggests that the Earth's rotational rate ~1.8 billion years ago equated to 20-hour days, implying a total of ~450 days per year.[5] It was during this era that the continents first stabilized.[clarification needed]
^ abPlumb, K. A. (June 1, 1991). "New Precambrian time scale". Episodes. 14 (2): 139–140. doi:10.18814/epiiugs/1991/v14i2/005.
^"palaeo-". Lexico UK English Dictionary. Oxford University Press. Archived from the original on 2020-06-18. "Proterozoic". Lexico UK English Dictionary. Oxford University Press. Archived from the original on 2020-06-17.
^"Proterozoic". Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary.
^There are several ways of pronouncing Paleoproterozoic, including IPA: /ˌpælioʊˌproʊtərəˈzoʊɪk,ˌpeɪ-,-liə-,-ˌprɒt-,-əroʊ-,-trə-,-troʊ-/PAL-ee-oh-PROH-tər-ə-ZOH-ik, PAY-, -PROT-, -ər-oh-, -trə-, -troh-.[2][3]
^Pannella, Giorgio (1972). "Paleontological evidence on the Earth's rotational history since early precambrian". Astrophysics and Space Science. 16 (2): 212. Bibcode:1972Ap&SS..16..212P. doi:10.1007/BF00642735. S2CID 122908383.
The Paleoproterozoic Era (also spelled Palaeoproterozoic) is the first of the three sub-divisions (eras) of the Proterozoic eon, and also the longest era...
incorporated among the Archaea. Eukaryotes first emerged during the Paleoproterozoic, likely as flagellated cells. The leading evolutionary theory is they...
subdivided into three geologic eras (from oldest to youngest): the Paleoproterozoic, Mesoproterozoic and Neoproterozoic. It covers the time from the appearance...
oxygen in the atmosphere, leading to the Great Oxidation Event in the Paleoproterozoic era. The earliest evidence of microbial oxidation of sulphur, dating...
as the Vredefort Dome. The impact structure was formed during the Paleoproterozoic Era, 2.023 billion (± 4 million) years ago. It is the second-oldest...
of the oldest. The crater was formed 1.849 billion years ago in the Paleoproterozoic era. The basin is located on the Canadian Shield in the city of Greater...
2 billion years ago (Gya), during the Siderian and Rhyacian periods of the Paleoproterozoic era. Evidence for glaciation is mainly based on the recognition of...
"Anatomy of impactites and shocked zircon grains from Dhala reveals Paleoproterozoic meteorite impact in the Archean basement rocks of Central India". Gondwana...
microcontinents, continents and supercontinents. For the Archean to Paleoproterozoic cores of most of the continents see also list of shields and cratons...
This took place from 1780 to 1650 million years ago (Mya), during the Paleoproterozoic (Statherian Period). It is recorded in the Colorado orogen, a >500-km-wide...
given, base of Paleoproterozoic defines the end of the Siderian Refinement of geochronometric divisions of the Proterozoic, Paleoproterozoic, repositioning...
is divided into three eras: the Neoproterozoic, Mesoproterozoic and Paleoproterozoic. Neoproterozoic: The youngest geologic era of the Proterozoic Eon,...
romanized: rhýax, meaning "stream of lava") is the second geologic period in the Paleoproterozoic Era and lasted from 2300 Mya to 2050 Mya (million years ago). Instead...
gave the region its former name Gold Coast. Ancient rocks from the Paleoproterozoic, Neoproterozoic and perhaps early Paleozoic cover almost all of Ghana...
Archean rocks are overlain by Paleoproterozoic supracrustal sequences (ca. 1.8–2.1 Ga) and intruded by Paleoproterozoic diabase dykes (ca. 2.0–2.2 Ga)...
also, intrusive Early Paleoproterozoic ultramafic rocks. The term Zoroaster Plutonic Complex is used for all Paleoproterozoic granitic and grandioritic...
romanized: sídēros, meaning "iron") is the first geologic period in the Paleoproterozoic Era and lasted from 2500 Ma to 2300 Ma. Instead of being based on stratigraphy...
The Ongeluk Large Igneous Province (Ongeluk LIP) is an early Paleoproterozoic large igneous province which resulted from the Ongeluk magmatic event, whose...
or Oxygen Holocaust, was a time interval during the Early Earth's Paleoproterozoic era when the Earth's atmosphere and the shallow ocean first experienced...
geological events between 3.8 and 1.85 billion years ago (the Eoarchean to Paleoproterozoic Era), including recurring volcanic eruptions and metamorphic events...
Himalayan leucogranite. They formed as the result of partial melting of Paleoproterozoic to Ordovician high-grade metasedimentary rocks of the Higher Himalayan...
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