Australian Shield
26°00′00″S 129°00′00″E / 26.00007744°S 129.00005163°E
| Australian Shield | |
|---|---|
| Stratigraphic range: Archean | |
| Type | Shield |
| Thickness | 4.5 kilometres (2.8 mi) |
| Location | |
| Region | Oceania |
| Country | Australia |
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.
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. In places younger sedimentary rock covers the shield's Precambrian surface.