Stenian

The Stenian Period (from Greek στενός (stenós), meaning "narrow") is the final geologic period in the Mesoproterozoic Era and lasted from 1200 Mya to 1000 Mya (million years ago). Instead of being based on stratigraphy, these dates are defined chronometrically. The name derives from narrow polymetamorphic belts formed over this period.

Stenian Period 1200–1000 million years ago PreЄ Є O S D C P T J K Pg N

Paleoglobe of Earth during the Stenian period

Events of the Stenian -1200 — – -1180 — – -1160 — – -1140 — – -1120 — – -1100 — – -1080 — – -1060 — – -1040 — – -1020 — – -1000 — – M e s o p r o t e r o z o i c N P Z Ectasian Stenian Tonian     ← Precipitous drop in Stromatolite Population (Forams to blame?)[1] Events of the Stenian Period. Axis scale: millions of years ago.

Preceded by the Ectasian period and followed by the Neoproterozoic Era.

The supercontinent Rodinia assembled during the Stenian. It would last into the Tonian period.

This period includes the formation of the Keweenawan Rift at about 1100 Mya.[2]

Fossils of the oldest known sexually reproducing organism, Bangiomorpha pubescens, first appeared in the Stenian.[3]