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.^[2][3]

Statherian
1800 – 1600 Ma Pha. Proterozoic Archean Had.
Map of Earth during the Statherian, c. 1740 Ma[citation needed]
Chronology
−1820 — – −1800 — – −1780 — – −1760 — – −1740 — – −1720 — – −1700 — – −1680 — – −1660 — – −1640 — – −1620 — – −1600 — – −1580 — Paleoproterozoic Mp Orosirian Statherian Calymmian ← Beginning of the Boring Billion ← Rafatazmia evolves, Chuanlinggou Formation preserves oldest macroscopic eukaryotes ← Natural nuclear fission reactors form in Oklo, Gabon Events of the Statherian Period. Vertical axis scale: Millions of years ago
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[1]
Upper boundary definition	Defined chronometrically
Upper GSSA ratified	1991[1]

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.^[4]

Rafatazmia, controversially^[5] claimed to be present in Statherian beds in India, may be the oldest known confirmably eukaryotic fossil organism.^[6]

By the beginning of the Statherian, the supercontinent Columbia had assembled.^[7]

Approximately 1.7 billion years ago, natural nuclear fission reactors were generating power in what is now Oklo, Gabon.^[8]

See also

• Boring Billion – Earth history, 1.8 to 0.8 billion years ago