The 'Eoarchean' (
IPA: , also spelled 'Eoarchaean') is an
era in the
geologic timescale lasting from 3800
Ma to 3600 Ma (million years ago). It is the first part of the
Archaean Eon, preceded by the
Hadean eon. In
chronostratigraphy, its zone rank is an
erathem.
The
International Commission on Stratigraphy does not recognize the lower boundary of the era nor the preceding Hadean Eon.
The Eoarchean was followed by the
Paleoarchean era.
The name comes from two
Greek words: ''eos'' (dawn) and ''archios'' (ancient). The first supercontinent
Vaalbara appeared around the end of this period around 3600 ma.
Also the oldest rock formation on earth the
Isua greenstone belt also appeared during the Eoarchean around 3.8 Billion years ago.
External links
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A short fact sheet