BATOBIC

General information

Welcome to the Makhonjwa-Barberton Mountainland (Barberton Greenstone Belt) Geotrail –– A journey to the beginning of time. This area of rugged mountains is perhaps the most complete portrait of the Earth approximately 3.2 - 3.5 billion years ago. It tells an astonishing story of the Earth soon after it had cooled sufficiently to have a crust and liquid water; but an Earth unrecognisable to us –– wholly different to the blue planet we inhabit today. It was an Earth of colossal asteroid impacts, an enormous moon only half as far away as today, profoundly deep oceans, gigantic tides, titanic tsunamis, and cataclysmic volcanic eruptions and outpourings. An Earth with an atmosphere of methane, ammonia and carbon dioxide, perhaps in near darkness, blanketed by volcanic smoke and ash. In spite of these outrageously hostile conditions, this Archaean Earth also gave rise to the first life –– microscopic bacteria preserved in some of these rocks and which, over millions of years, began the processes that transformed our planet into the beautiful blue and watery home we have today. We are building an illustrated trail through these beautiful mountains, nominated for World Heritage Site status –– a journey to the beginning of time. Visit our page and “Like” us to contribute ideas and opinions and to keep up-to-date with progress.