Environmental factors for around 417 million years ago in the Voyage area
Rock Name
Raglan Mudstone Formation
Lithology (appearance)
Red mudstones and silty mudstones with calcretes and sandstones.
Period
Silurian
How old
Around 417 million years
Environment of rock formation
Low lying coastal plains. Slow meandering rivers which frequently flood. Hot with high rate of evaporation through soils.
Climate
Arid. High rate of evaporation of ground water.
Latitude
28′ S of Equator
Oxygen as percentage of atmosphere
17% (21% today)
Carbon Dioxide as parts per million of atmosphere composition
3300ppm (around 415ppm today and rising)
Maximum day time temperatures
35’C
Minimum night time temperature
15’C
Sea temperature
25’C
Weather risk
Sheet flooding in wet season. Dust storms.
Midday Sun
Sun high in northern sky. Slightly less bright
UV index
8
Earthquake risk (scale 1 low risk to 9 high risk)
5
Tectonic
On SE edge of Laurussia. Subduction zone to south.
Volcano risk
Occasional ash falls
Top predator
Scorpions
Animal Life
Evidence of animals moving from sea onto land.
Plant Life
Primitive Cooksonia growing along river banks.
Humidity
Low
Rainfall
Seasonal – Dec to March
Wind
Winds mainly from E
Day length
21.9 hours
Days in year
400