Precise global time scale for the oxidation of Earth's atmosphere between 2.6 and 2.0 billion years ago

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The rock record from 2600 to 2000 million years ago preserves evidence for dramatically fluctuating greenhouse and icehouse climates at the same time as, and possibly caused by, change from an oxygen-deficient to an oxygen-rich atmosphere. Although the global changes are well-documented, correlation of their timing and duration between continents is poorly constrained. This project aims to redress that problem by producing a precise calibration of the global changes by analysis of the rock records in Australia, Canada and South Africa. It will provide a much needed time framework within which long-term feedback between atmospheric composition and climate can be understood.