Preface (W.U. Mueller, W. Altermann et al.).
1. The Early Earth (D.R. Nelson).
1.1 Introduction (D.R. Nelson). 1.2 Earth's formation and first billion years (D.R. Nelson). 1.3 The early Precambrian stratigraphic record of large extraterrestrial impacts (B.M. Simonson, G.R. Byerly, D.R. Lowe). 1.4 Strategies for finding the record of Archaean impact events (D.H. Abbott, J.T. Hagstrum). 1.5 Commentary (D.R. Nelson).
2. Generation of Continental Crust (D.R. Nelson, W.U. Mueller).
2.1 Introduction (W.U. Mueller, D.R. Nelson). 2.2 Isua enigmas: illusive tectonic, sedimentary, volcanic and organic features of the >3.7 Ga Isua greenstone belt, southwest Greenland (J.S. Myers). 2.3 Geochemical diversity in volcanic rocks of the >3.7 Ga Isua greenstone belt, southern West Greenland: implications for mantle composition and geodynamic processes (A. Polat, A.W. Hofmann, P.W.U. Appel). 2.4 Abitibi greenstone belt plate tectonics: the diachronous history of arc development, accretion and collision (R. Daigneault, W.U. Mueller, E.H. Chown). 2.5 Granite formation and emplacement as indicators of Archaean tectonic processes (T.E. Zegers). 2.6 Diapiric processes in the formation of Archaean continental crust, East Pilbara granite-greenstone terrane, Australia (A.H. Hickman, M.J. Van Kranendonk). 2.7 Early Archaean crustal collapse structures and sedimentary basin dynamics (W. Nijman, S.T. de Vries). 2.8 Crustal growth rates (N.T. Arndt). 2.9 Commentary (D.R. Nelson, W.U. Mueller).
3. Tectonism and Mantle Plumes through Time (P.G. Eriksson, O. Catuneanu).
3.1 Introduction (P.G. Eriksson, O. Catuneanu). 3.2 Precambrian superplume events (K.C. Condie). 3.3 Large igneous province record through time (R.E. Ernst, K.L. Buchan, A. Prokoph). 3.4 Episodic crustal growth during catastrophic global-scale mantle overturn events (D.R. Nelson). 3.5 An unusual Palaeoproterozoic magmatic event, the ultrapotassic Christopher Island Formation, Baker Lake Group, Nunavat, Canada: Archaean mantle metasomatism and Palaeoproterozoic mantle (B.L. Cousens, J.R. Chiarenzelli, L.B. Aspler). 3.6 A commentary on Precambrian plate tectonics (P.G. Eriksson, O. Catuneanu). 3.7 Precambrian ophiolites (J.R. Chiarenzelli, E.M. Moores). 3.8 The Limpopo belt of southern Africa: a Neoarchaean to Palaeoproterozoic orogen (A.J. Bumby, R. van der Merwe). 3.9 Geodynamic crustal evolution and long-lived supercontinents during the Palaeoproterozoic: evidence from granulite-gneiss belts, collisional and accretionary orogens (M.V. Mints, A.N. Konilov). 3.10 Formation of a late Mesoproterozoic supercontinent: the South Africa-East Antarctica connection (H.E. Frimmel). 3.11 A mechanism for explaining rapid continental motion in the late Neoproterozoic (J.G. Meert, E. Tamrat). 3.12 Commentary (P.G. Eriksson, O. Catuneanu).
4. Precambrian Volcanism: an independent Variable through Time (W.U. Mueller).
4.1 Introduction (W.U. Mueller, P.C. Thurston). 4.2 Terminology of volcaniclastic and volcanic rocks (W.U. Mueller and J.D.L. White). 4.3 Komatiites: volcanology, geochemistry and textures. 4.3.1 Physical volcanology of komatiites (W.U. Mueller). 4.3.2 Komatiite geochemistry (J. Dostal, W.U. Mueller). 4.3.3 Textures in komatiites and variolitic basalts (N.T. Arndt, A.D. Fowler). 4.4 Archaean and Proterozoic greenstone belts: setting and evolution (P.C. Thurston, L.D. Ayres). 4.5 Explosive subaqueous volcanism (J.D.L. White). 4.6 Archaean calderas (W.U. Mueller, J. Stix et al.). 4.7 Commentary (W.U. Mueller).
5. Evolution of the Hydrosphere and Atmosphere (P.G. Eriksson, W. Altermann).
5.1 Introduction (P.G. Eriksson, W. Altermann). 5.2 The Archaean atmosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere (H. Ohmoto). 5.3 The evolution of the Precambrian atmosphere: carbon isotopic evidence from the Australian continent (J.F. Lindsay, M.D. Brasier). 5.4 Precambrian iron-formation (A.F. Trendall, J.G. Blockley). 5.5 The Precambrian sulphur isotope record of evolving atmospheric oxygen (T.W. Lyons, L.C. Kah, A.M. Gellatly). 5.6 Earth's two great Precambrian glaciations: aftermath of the "snowball Earth" hypothesis (G.M. Young). 5.7 The paradox of Proterozoic glaciomarine deposition, open seas and strong seasonality near the palaeo-equator: global implications (G.E. Williams). 5.8 Neoproterozoic sedimentation rates and timing of glaciations - a southern African perspective (H.E. Frimmel). 5.9 Earth's Precambrian rotation and the evolving lunar orbit: implications of tidal rhythmite data for palaeogeophysics (G.E. Williams). 5.10 Ancient climatic and tectonic settings inferred from palaeosols developed on igneous rocks (H.W. Nesbitt, G.M. Young). 5.11 Aggressive Archaean weathering (P.L. Corcoran, W.U. Mueller). 5.12 Commentary (P.G. Eriksson, W. Altermann).
6. Evolution of Life and Precambrian Bio-Geology (W. Altermann).
6.1 Introduction (W. Altermann). 6.2 Earth's earliest biosphere: status of the hunt (J.W. Schopf). 6.3 Evolving life and its effect on Precambrian sedimentation (W. Altermann). 6.4 Microbial origin of Precambrian carbonates: lessons from modern analogues (J. Kazmierczak, S. Kempe, W. Altermann). 6.5 Precambrian stromatolites: problems in definition, classification, morphology and stratigraphy (W. Altermann). 6.6 Precambrian geology and exobiology (F. Westall). 6.7 Commentary (W. Altermann).
7. Sedimentation through Time (P.G. Eriksson).
7.1 Introduction (P.G. Eriksson, A.J. Bumby, M. Popa). 7.2 Sedimentary structures: an essential key for interpreting the Precambrian rock record (J.A. Donaldson, L.B. Aspler, J.R. Chiarenzelli). 7.3 Archaean sedimentary sequences (P.L. Corcoran, W.U. Mueller). 7.4 Discussion of selected techniques and problems in the field mapping and interpretation of Archaean clastic metasedimentary rocks of the Superior Province, Canada (J.R. Devaney). 7.5 Precambrian tidalites: recognition and significance (K.A. Eriksson, E.L. Simpson). 7.6 Sedimentary dynamics of Precambrian aeolianites (E.L. Simpson, F.F. Alkmim et al.). 7.7 Early Precambrian epeiric seas (P.G. Eriksson, A.J. Bumby, P. Mostert). 7.8 Precambrian rivers (D.G.F. Long). 7.9 Microbial mats in the siliciclastic rock record: a summary of diagnostic features (J. Schieber). 7.10 Microbial mat features in sandstones illustrated (S. Sarkar, S. Banerjee, P.G. Eriksson). 7.11 Sedimentation rates (P.G. Eriksson, P.K. Bose et al.). 7.12 Commentary (P.G. Eriksson, M.A. Martins-Neto).
8. Sequence Stratigraphy and the Precambrian (O. Catuneanu).
8.1 Introduction (A.F. Embry, O. Catuneanu, P.G. Eriksson). 8.2 Concepts of sequence stratigraphy (O. Catuneanu, A.F. Embry, P.G. Eriksson). 8.3 Development and sequences of the Athabasca basin, Early Proterozoic, Saskatchewan and Alberta, Canada (P. Ramaekers, O. Catuneanu). 8.4 Third-order sequence stratigraphy in the Palaeoproterozoic Daspoort Formation (Pretoria Group, Transvaal Supergroup), Kaapvaal craton (P.G. Eriksson, O. Catuneanu). 8.5 Commentary (O. Catuneanu, P.G. Eriksson).
9. Synthesis (P.G. Eriksson, O. Catuneanu et al.).
9.1 Evolution of the solar system and the early Earth. 9.2 Generation of continental crust. 9.3 Tectonism and mantle plumes through time. 9.4 Precambrian volcanism, an independent variable. 9.5 Evolution of the hydrosphere and atmosphere. 9.6 Evolution of Precambrian life and bio-geology. 9.7 Sedimentation regimes through time. 9.8 Sequence stratigraphy through time. 9.9 Tempos and events in Precambrian time.