The Rhyacian (
/raɪˈeɪsiən/; Greek: Ρυαξ (rhyax), meaning "stream of lava") is the second geologic period in the Paleoproterozoic Era and lasted from 2300 Mya to 2050 Mya (million years ago).[1] Instead of being based on stratigraphy, these dates are defined chronometrically.[2]
The Bushveld Complex and other similar intrusions formed during this period.[2]
The Huronian (Makganyene) global glaciation began at the start of the Rhyacian and lasted until 2200 Mya[3]
The first known eukaryotes began to evolve in the Rhyacian period. The multicellular Francevillian Group Fossils, at 2.1-Gyr-old are from the Rhyacian period.[4]
| Preceded by Archean Eon | 2.5 Ga - Proterozoic Eon - 542 Ma | Followed by Phanerozoic Eon | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 Ga - Paleoproterozoic Era - 1.6 Ga | 1.6 Ga - Mesoproterozoic Era - 1.0 Ga | 1.0 Ga - Neoproterozoic Era - 542 Ma | |||||||||
| Siderian | Rhyacian | Orosirian | Statherian | Calymmian | Ectasian | Stenian | Tonian | Cryogenian | Ediacaran | ||
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