| Calymmian | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Paleoglobe of the Earth at the start of Calymmian | |||||||||
| Chronology | |||||||||
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| Etymology | |||||||||
| Name formality | Formal | ||||||||
| Usage information | |||||||||
| Celestial body | Earth | ||||||||
| Regional usage | Global (ICS) | ||||||||
| Time scale(s) used | ICS Time Scale | ||||||||
| Definition | |||||||||
| Chronological unit | Period | ||||||||
| Stratigraphic unit | System | ||||||||
| Time span formality | Formal | ||||||||
| Lower boundary definition | Defined chronometrically | ||||||||
| Lower GSSA ratified | 1991[1] | ||||||||
| Upper boundary definition | Defined chronometrically | ||||||||
| Upper GSSA ratified | 1991[1] | ||||||||
The Calymmian Period (from Ancient Greek: κάλυμμα, romanized: kálymma, meaning "cover") is the first geologic period in the Mesoproterozoic Era and lasted from 1600 Mya to 1400 Mya (million years ago). Instead of being based on stratigraphy, these dates are defined chronometrically.
The period is characterised by expansion of existing platform covers, or by new platforms on recently cratonized basements.
The supercontinent Columbia started to break during the Calymmian some 1500 Mya.