Final answer:
Archean greenstones are interpreted as being formed in back arc basins, which are basins formed near a volcanic arc on the side opposite the oceanic trench. Early Earth had a very different atmosphere, extreme radiation, and a lot of geologic upheaval and volcanic activity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Archean greenstones are interpreted as being formed in back arc basins. A back arc basin is a basin formed near a volcanic arc on the side opposite the oceanic trench. It is the result of extension caused by mantle convection behind a subduction zone and its island arc. In the context of early Earth conditions, it is important to note that early Earth had a very different atmosphere, was subject to extreme radiation, and had a lot of geologic upheaval and volcanic activity.