Scribd
Upload
1K views34 pages

The Geological Time Scale

Uploaded by

api-239849703
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
1K views34 pages

The Geological Time Scale

Uploaded by

api-239849703
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 34

What is the Earths time scale?

The Geological time scale is a record of the life forms and geological events in Earths history. Scientists developed the time scale by studying rock layers and fossils world wide. Radioactive dating helped determine the absolute divisions in the time scale.

Divisions of Geologic Time


Eras are subdivided into periods...periods are subdivided into epochs.
Era
Period Epoch

Divisions of Geologic Time


Geological time begins with Precambrian Time. Precambrian time covers approximately 88% of Earths history.

FOUR Eras
PRE-CAMBRIAN 88% of earths history Paleozoic (ancient life)
544 million years agolasted 300 million yrs

Mesozoic (middle life)


245 million years agolasted 180 million yrs

Cenozoic (recent life)


65 million years agocontinues through present day

Precambrian Time
Earth forms 4.5 bya Little atmosphere Oceans form Single celled
organisms

Paleozoic Era (Ancient Life)


Explosion of life in the oceans began during this era. Most of the continents were covered in warm, shallow seas.
Invertebrates were dominate - Trilobites Fish emerged during this time Fish led to the arrival of amphibians
The end of the Paleozoic era is called the Age of Amphibians

Early land plants including mosses, ferns and cone-bearing plants. The early coal forming forests were also formed during this time.

Paleozoic Era
At the end of the Paleozoic, the largest mass extinction in history wiped out approximately 90% of all marine animal species and 70% of land animals.
Possible causes of this Mass Extinction Event Lowering of sea levels when the continents were rejoined as Pangaea (convergent boundary) Increased volcanic activity (ash and dust) Climate changes cooler climate

Trilobites

Lived in Earths ancient seas Extinct before the dinosaurs came into existence Cambrian Period is know as the Age of the Trilobites (put in on table)

Brachiopods

Marine animals that resemble clams.

Early Fish

Early fish did not have jaws. Some species of sharks were in existence at this time.

Frilled Shark that was found in Japan in January 2007. This shark was considered a living fossil

Early Land Plants

Mosses

Cone bearing plants

Ferns

Mesozoic Era Middle Life


At the beginning of this era the continents were joined as Pangaea. Pangaea broke up around the middle of this era. Reptiles became the most abundant animals because of their ability to adapt to the drier climate of the Mesozoic Era.
Skin maintains body fluids Embryos live in shells

Mesozoic Era
Dinosaurs were also very active in this era.
First small dinosaurs appeared in the Triassic Period. Larger and more abundant dinosaurs appeared in the Jurassic Period.

Small mammals and birds also appeared during this era.


The mammals were small, warm-blooded animals. Hair covering their bodies.
These characteristics help them survive in changing environments.

Mesozoic Era
The main plant life of this time were Gymnosperms or plants that produce seeds, but no flowers.
Pine Trees

Flowering plants appeared during the END of this era.

Mesozoic Era
This era ended with a mass extinction event about 65 million years ago.
Many groups of animals, including the dinosaurs disappeared suddenly at this time.

Many scientists believe that this event was caused by a comet or asteroid colliding with the Earth.

Dinosaurs

Mesozoic Reptiles

Mesozoic Mammals

Mesozoic Plants
Flowering plants evolved towards the end of the Mesozoic Era.

Cenozoic Era Recent Life


Began about 65 million years ago and continues today!!!!!
Climate was warm and mild. Marine animals such as whales and dolphins evolved.

Mammals began to increase and evolve adaptations that allowed them to live in many different environments land, air and the sea.
Grasses increased and provided a food source for grazing animals

Many mountain ranges formed during the Cenozoic Era


Alps in Europe and Himalayas in India; Rocky Mountains in the USA

Cenozoic Era
Growth of these mountains may have helped to cool down the climate
Ice Ages occurred late in the Cenozoic Era (Quaternary Period).

As the climate changed, the animals had to adapt to the rise and fall of the oceans caused by melting glaciers.

This era is sometimes called the Age of Mammals

Cenozoic Era
Marine animal examples:
Algae, Mollusks, Fish and Mammals

Land animal examples:


Bats, Cats, Dogs, Cattle and Humans Humans are thought to have appeared around 3.5 million years ago (during the most recent period Quaternary).

Flowering plants were now the most common plant life.

Cenozoic Mammals

Flowering Plants were common during the Cenozoic Era

You might also like