在始太古代,地球首次形成固态地壳,不过并不完全,在其表面可能仍存在岩浆。始太古代的开端由内太阳系一次重大小行星撞击事件标记:即后期重轰炸期。始太古代规模最大的成岩是格陵兰西南岸的伊苏阿绿岩带,它在38亿年前开始形成。加拿大地盾的阿卡斯塔片麻岩年代约为4031 Ma,是现存最古老的成岩。在2008年,魁北克北部的Nuvvuagittuq绿岩带发现了年代约为4280Ma的成岩。[6]:1828–1831These formations are presently under intense investigation.[需要解释][7]:150–163
^Mulkidjanian, A. Y. Energetics of the First Life. Egel, R.; Lankenau, D.-H.; Mulkidjanian, A. Y. (编). Origins of Life: The Primal Self-Organization. Heidelberg: Springer Verlag. 2011. ISBN 978-3-642-21625-1.
^Eoarchean Era. geologypage.com. 16 January 2014 [2021-11-05]. (原始内容存档于2021-11-08).
^David, J.; Godin, L.; Stevenson, R. K.; O'Neil, J.; Francis, D. U-Pb ages (3.8–2.7 Ga) and Nd isotope data from the newly identified Eoarchean Nuvvuagittuq supracrustal belt, Superior Craton, Canada. Geological Society of America Bulletin. 2009, 121 (1–2). doi:10.1130/B26369.1.
^Van Kranendonk, Martin J. 16: A Chronostratigraphic Division of the Precambrian: Possibilities and Challenges. Felix M. Gradstein; James G. Ogg; Mark D. Schmitz; abi M. Ogg (编). The geologic time scale 2012 1st. Amsterdam: Elsevier. 2012. ISBN 978-0-44-459425-9.