Riphean age

The Riphean is a very old time in Earth's story. It happened from 1,600 to 600 million years ago! This time is part of what scientists call the geologic timescale. It helps us learn about our planet's long history.

People in Russia and parts of Finland often use the name "Riphean." The name comes from an old name for mountains called the "Riphean Mountains". Some think these might be the same as the Ural Mountains today.

During the Riphean, tiny living things made special rock shapes called stromatolites. Scientists split this time into three smaller parts: the Early Riphean, the Middle Riphean, and the Late Riphean. It is a very important time for learning about Earth long ago.