Australian Shield
Large part of the continent of Australia / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Quick Facts Type, Thickness ...
Australian Shield | |
---|---|
Stratigraphic range: Archean | |
Type | Shield |
Thickness | 4.5 kilometres (2.8 mi) |
Location | |
Region | Oceania |
Country | Australia |
Close
The Australian Shield is a geological feature known as a shield that occupies more than half of the continent of Australia. The word shield is used because it refers to ancient, molten rock which has cooled and solidified.[1]
The Australian Shield has a characteristic depth of 4.5 kilometres (2.8 mi) and an estimated age of 2.8 to 3.5 billion years.[2][3] In places younger sedimentary rock covers the shield's Precambrian surface.[4]