What are the early continents on Earth? (1)

The early continents on Earth were part of a dynamic process of continental drift, driven by plate tectonics. Earth’s landmasses were not always as they are today but have gone through various configurations, forming supercontinents that later broke apart. Here are some of the major early continents and supercontinents:

1. Vaalbara (3.6 – 2.8 billion years ago)

Vaalbara is thought to be the Earth’s first supercontinent, which existed during the Archean Eon. It is based on geological evidence from the Kaapvaal craton in southern Africa and the Pilbara craton in Western Australia, both of which date back to about 3.6 billion years. These ancient crustal blocks were likely part of a larger landmass.

2. Ur (3.0 – 1.0 billion years ago)

Ur was a smaller early continent, which is thought to have formed around 3 billion years ago. It is sometimes considered the first “true” continent, as it was made up of stable cratons that later became part of future supercontinents. Ur was part of all the major supercontinents that came later, including Rodinia, Pangaea, and Gondwana.

3. Kenorland (2.7 – 2.1 billion years ago)

Kenorland is believed to have formed around 2.7 billion years ago during the late Archean Eon. It was a large supercontinent composed of parts of present-day North America, Baltica (parts of modern Europe), and other smaller cratons. The break-up of Kenorland is associated with the Great Oxygenation Event, a time when Earth’s atmosphere began to accumulate oxygen.

4. Columbia (Nuna) (1.8 – 1.5 billion years ago)

Columbia, also known as Nuna, is a supercontinent that existed from around 1.8 to 1.5 billion years ago during the Proterozoic Eon. It was made up of landmasses that would later form parts of North America, Baltica, Siberia, and other modern continents.

(To be continued)