Geologist here -- happy to answer any questions about this! The underlying paper [1] and the older one it builds on [2] are both open access. The rj-MCMC for the time-temperature inversion used an existing program from the thermochron community, but we made most of the figures in Julia.

[1] https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2118682119

[2] https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1804350116

it's notable that the missing time period is longer than the entire time period since, including basically all of known evolution. immediately prior to the discontinuity, there is only very simple life, and immediately after, life is significantly more complex, but also highly constrained, as after a mass extinction.

i just like to think about this sometimes. it brings me a deep sense of peace

Glaciers and big rocks? Obligatory Randall Carlson reference https://youtu.be/A2PzfWur6pY

Alternate theory: Earth was assembled by some subcontractor who skimped on construction costs where they thought no one would notice.

This accounts for the absence of slood.