Mesoarchean Era

Part of the Archean Eon

Paleoarchean Era - Mesoarchean Era - Neoarchean Era

The Mesoarchean Era is the second era of the Archean Eon. The Mesoarchean begins at the time from which the first macroscopic fossils - stromatolites - are known and ends at the time from which the first continental flood basalts are known. The supercontinent of Vaalbara was formed in the Paleoarchean Era, and would exist throughout the entirety of the Mesoarchean, before breaking up during the Neoarchean Era, while the continent known as Ur was formed during this era. Life would also exist throughout the era, descended from earlier lifeforms that evolved during the Paleoarchean (or even Zirconian) eras. The planet's oldest supracrustal rocks are also know from this era.

The Mesoarchean is subdivided into two periods: the Vaalbaran and the Pongolan.

Mesoarchean Timescale:

Mesoarchean Era - 3490-2780 MYA

-Vaalbaran Period - 3490-3020 MYA

-Pongolan Period - 3020-2780 MYA