"is of a geological time frame"

[pink dragon]

Hi, could anybody help me please.

The age of most permanent lakes usually is of a geological time frame, but with most not much older than 10,000 years.

Could you paraphrase "is of a geological time frame" for me?

If you need the context, this is from the following website of UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme).
http://www.unep.or.jp/ietc/publicati...rvoirs-1/2.asp

[MikeNewYork]

Hi, could anybody help me please.

The age of most permanent lakes usually is of a geological time frame, but with most not much older than 10,000 years.

Could you paraphrase "is of a geological time frame" for me?

If you need the context, this is from the following website of UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme).
http://www.unep.or.jp/ietc/publicati...rvoirs-1/2.asp

That construction "is of a" means "is in the area of" or "in the realm of".
This sentence is saying that the actual age of lakes cannot be determined but they are older than recorded history.

Another uses of this construction is:

Her singing style is of another time.

[pink dragon]

Thank you very much, MikeNewYork!

So, can I understand it this way:

The age of most permanent lakes usually dates back to a time frame which is dealt with in the area of geology, that includes very old time periods?

[BobK]

Yes. "Geological" is used like that; another word with a related (but not the same) meaning is "astronomical", which can be used just to refer to very big numbers or can be used in general-purpose hyperbolic expressions such as "the costs were astronomical".

b

[pink dragon]

Thank you very much, BobK!

I knew that the word "astronomical" can mean "very large" or "very expensive", but I didn't notice "geological" can be used in a similar way.
Your explanation is easy to understand.

So, can "geological" mean "very old"?
Just to make sure...because I can't find a dictionary which states so.

PD

[BobK]

...
So, can "geological" mean "very old"?
Just to make sure...because I can't find a dictionary which states so.
PD

Pretty much - but not just very old; so old that its duration can only be measured with the use of expressions such as those used by geologists, like 'era' or 'eon'.

And you're welcome.

b

[pink dragon]

Now I completely understand.
Thank you!