The geologic record of the Proterozoic (2,500 to 541 million years ago) is more complete than that for the preceding Archean. In contrast to the deep-water deposits of the Archean, the Proterozoic features many strata that were laid down in extensive shallow epicontinental seas; furthermore, many of these rocks are less metamorphosed than Archean-age ones, and plenty are unaltered. Study of these rocks show that the eon featured massive, rapid continental accretion (unique to the Proterozoic), supercontinent cycles, and wholly modern orogenic activity. Roughly 750 million years ago, the earliest-known supercontinent Rodinia, began to break apart. The continents later recombined to form Pannotia, 600–540 Ma. COUNT 5
QSN1 During what time period did the Proterozoic era occur? ANS1 2,500 to 541 million years ago QSN2 What era came before the Proterozoic era? ANS2 Archean QSN3 In what type of sea did typical Proterozoic geology come to be? ANS3 shallow epicontinental seas QSN4 What type of continental behavior was unique to the Proterozoic? ANS4 rapid continental accretion QSN5 What is the name for the large super continent that broke apart 750 million years ago? ANS5 Rodinia