Statherian
The Statherian Period ( /stəˈθɪəriən/; Ancient Greek: σταθερός, romanized: statherós, meaning "stable, firm") is the final geologic period in the Paleoproterozoic Era and lasted from 1800 Mya to 1600 Mya (million years ago). Instead of being based on stratigraphy, these dates are defined chronometrically.
| Statherian | |||||||||
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Map of Earth during the Statherian, c. 1740 Ma | |||||||||
| Chronology | |||||||||
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| Etymology | |||||||||
| Name formality | Formal | ||||||||
| Usage information | |||||||||
| Celestial body | Earth | ||||||||
| Regional usage | Global (ICS) | ||||||||
| Time scale(s) used | ICS Time Scale | ||||||||
| Definition | |||||||||
| Chronological unit | Period | ||||||||
| Stratigraphic unit | System | ||||||||
| Time span formality | Formal | ||||||||
| Lower boundary definition | Defined chronometrically | ||||||||
| Lower GSSA ratified | 1991 | ||||||||
| Upper boundary definition | Defined chronometrically | ||||||||
| Upper GSSA ratified | 1991 | ||||||||
The period was characterized on most continents by either new platforms or final cratonization of fold belts. Oxygen levels were 10% to 20% of current values.
Rafatazmia, controversially claimed to be present in Statherian beds in India, may be the oldest known confirmably eukaryotic fossil organism.
By the beginning of the Statherian, the supercontinent Columbia had assembled.
Approximately 1.7 billion years ago, natural nuclear fission reactors were generating power in what is now Oklo, Gabon.