Siderian

The Siderian (pronounced /saɪˈdɪəriən/, Greek: sideros, meaning "iron") is the first geologic period in the Paleoproterozoic Era and lasted from 2500 Ma to 2300 Ma (million years ago). Instead of being based on stratigraphy, these dates are defined chronometrically.

Abundance of banded iron formations (BIFs) peaked early this period. BIFs were formed as anaerobic algae produced waste oxygen that combined with iron, forming magnetite (Fe3O4, an iron oxide). This process cleared iron from the oceans, presumably turning greenish seas clear. Eventually, without an oxygen sink in the oceans, the process created the oxygen-rich atmosphere of today. This event is known as the oxygen catastrophe, and was followed by the Huronian glaciation. The Huronian glaciation began in the Siderian 2400 Ma and ended in the late Rhyacian 2100 Ma.

References

* "Siderian Period". GeoWhen Database. http://www.stratigraphy.org/geowhen/stages/Siderian.html. Retrieved January 5, 2006.