archean Definition
of or relating to the eon that preceded the Proterozoic eon and the Phanerozoic eon, from about 4 billion to 2.5 billion years ago.
Using archean: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "archean" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The Archean rocks of the Canadian Shield are among the oldest on Earth.
Example
Archean life forms were unicellular and simple.
Example
The Archean eon was characterized by volcanic activity and the formation of continents.
Summary: archean in Brief
The term 'archean' [ahr-kee-uhn] is an adjective that refers to the eon that preceded the Proterozoic eon and the Phanerozoic eon, from about 4 billion to 2.5 billion years ago. It is characterized by volcanic activity and the formation of continents. Archean life forms were unicellular and simple. The Archean rocks of the Canadian Shield are among the oldest on Earth.