Skip to main content

Precambrian

  • Reference work entry
  • First Online:
Dictionary of Geotourism
  • 8 Accesses

The Precambrian System is also called the ‘Pre-Cambrian System’ or ‘Pre-Palaeozoic Erathem’. The Precambrian System is not a formal chronostratigraphic unit. It refers to the rocks that formed from the beginning of the Earth’s history to the early Cambrian Period, and this period is called the Precambrian Period. Based on isotopic age dating, it is estimated that the Earth began to form approximately 4.6 billion years ago. The Precambrian Period covers at least four billion years, which accounts for nearly 90% of the Earth’s history.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 549.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 699.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this entry

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this entry

(2020). Precambrian. In: Chen, A., Ng, Y., Zhang, E., Tian, M. (eds) Dictionary of Geotourism. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-2538-0_1932

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics