"Noachian" is spelled /noʊˈeɪkiən/, with the stress on the second syllable. The word refers to the geological era on Mars that dates back to approximately 4.1 to 3.7 billion years ago. It is named after the biblical figure Noah, who famously built an ark to save himself and other beings from a flood. The word is derived from "Noah," with the suffix "-ian" indicating something or someone belongs to or is associated with a particular group or category.
Noachian is an adjective that pertains to or relates to the period or epoch of time in the geological history of Mars commonly referred to as the Noachian period. The Noachian period is the earliest and longest geological era on Mars, estimated to have occurred between approximately 4.6 and 3.7 billion years ago.
In planetary science, the term Noachian is often used to describe features, geological formations, or processes that originated or emerged during this specific Martian era. The name itself is derived from Noachis Terra, a prominent region on Mars that showcases characteristics associated with this era.
Features from the Noachian period are distinct due to their age, marked by some of the oldest and most heavily cratered terrain on Mars. Consequently, Noachian features typically exhibit a high density of impact craters, linear valleys or channels formed by ancient river systems, and remnants of ancient crater lakes or seas. Researchers often study these features to gain insight into the geological conditions, climate, and the presence of liquid water that may have existed on the Martian surface during this early period. The Noachian era is of great significance in understanding the geological evolution of Mars, its potential for habitability in the past, and its suitability for future exploration and colonization efforts.
Pert. to the patriarch Noah or his age.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "Noachian" is derived from "Noah" or "Noah's Ark", which comes from the biblical figure Noah. In the Book of Genesis, Noah was the only righteous man chosen by God to build an ark and survive the Great Flood, along with his family and various kinds of animals. The adjective "Noachian" is used to describe anything related to or resembling the time period, conditions, or events of Noah and the biblical Flood. In scientific contexts, it is often used to refer to a geologic time period, specifically on Mars, characterized by ancient rocks or landscapes that may have been formed or influenced by a catastrophic flood.