common ancestors of life…
Geologic
Time
Scale Quarter 2a: GEOLOGIC TIME AND
GEOLOGIC HISTORY
Kevin Kenneth M.
Cabreza, LPT
Science Teacher
OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, students are expected to:
a. Reconstruct geologic history from cross section
b. Chart the timing of some of the major events in Earth’s history.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Geologic- The geologic time scale divides up the history of the earth
based on life-forms that have existed during specific times since the
creation of the planet. These divisions are called geochronologic units
(geo: rock, chronology: time).
In science, the word geology means 'Study of the Earth'. Also known
as geoscience or earth science, Geology is the primary Earth science
and looks at how the earth formed, its structure and composition, and
the types of processes acting on it.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
TIME- Physicists define time as the progression of events from the
past to the present into the future. Basically, if a system is unchanging,
it is timeless. Time can be considered to be the fourth dimension of
reality, used to describe events in three-dimensional space
SCALE- is a set of levels or numbers which are used in a particular
system of measuring things or are used when comparing things.
PRECAMBRIAN (4550-542 Ma)
The beginning of era that corresponds to the formation of planet Earth
as well as the other planets of the solar system; in other words, 4 550
million years (Ma) ago.
The earliest forms of life are bacteria and unicellular organisms
without nuclei (prokaryotes).
Fossil of Dickinsonia costata, a
Precambrian multicellular eukaryotic
organism.
PALEOZOIC ERA
(524-251 Ma)
“Primitive or Ancient life”
PALEOZOIC ERA (542-251 Ma)
This era begins with the development of invertebrates with a shell.
It is divided into six periods: Cambrian, Ordovician, Silurian,
Devonian, Carboniferous and Permian.
The Paleozoic era brings together three massive extinctions as well as
the emergence of the first vertebrates, the first plants, as well as the
first terrestrial organisms.
PALEOZOIC ERA
CAMBRIAN PERIOD (542-488 Ma)
This period is marked by the emergence of several species of
invertebrates with a hard body such as sponges, arthropods, and
mollusks.
The first animal with a backbone also emerged at that time. Indeed, the
Pikaia is the ancestor of reptiles, dinosaurs, birds, and mammals.
The Pikaia lived at that time. It is
considered to be one of the
ancestors of vertebrates.
PALEOZOIC ERA
ORDOVICIAN PERIOD (488-443 Ma)
It is during this period that the first marine vertebrates appear as well
as the first plants such as mosses, fungi and lichens. Thus, life begins
to colonize the land. However, at the end of the Ordovician period, the
first mass extinction occurs; more than half of the animal species then
disappear.
The Orthoceras was one of
the cephalopod mollusks
living at this time.
PALEOZOIC ERA
SILURIAN PERIOD (443-416 Ma)
In the Silurian period, we witness the emergence and diversification
of fish species: jawless fish (like lamprey), cartilaginous fish (like rays
and sharks) and bony fish (like modern fish).
Examples of Silurian
Fish
PALEOZOIC ERA
DEVONIAN PERIOD (416-359 Ma)
During the Devonian period, land plants diversified. At this time, they
reached the size of a tree. They reproduced mainly by spores such as
ferns and lichens. The emergence of arthropods and amphibians
colonizing the land also occurred at that time. Unfortunately, more
than 70% of marine species disappeared at the end of this period
following several successive climate changes, resulting in the second
mass extinction.
PALEOZOIC ERA
CARBONIFEROUS PERIOD (359-299 Ma)
In the Carboniferous period, vast humid forests formed by conifers
populated the surface of the single continent present at that time,
Pangea.
The Carboniferous period is also characterized by the extensive
presence of giant insects. Many species of reptiles then appeared
such as turtles, snakes, lizards, and iguanas.
The Pederpes is a
Carboniferous species
of tetrapod.
PALEOZOIC ERA
PERMIAN PERIOD (299-251 Ma)
This period, the last of the Paleozoic era, is marked by the
development of animal life both on land and in the sea. Plants, reptiles
(including the Dimetrodon, a formidable carnivore) and amphibians
inhabit the continents while mollusks and echinoderms occupy marine
environments.
This is when the most important mass extinction occurs. Indeed, more
than 95% of marine species and 75% of terrestrial species disappear
as a result of a series of meteorological events (glaciation, volcanic
activity, acid rain, destruction of the ozone layer).
MESOZOIC ERA
(251-65.5 Ma)
MESOZOIC ERA (251-65.5 Ma)
This era is commonly referred to as "the era of the dinosaurs" since
they were the ones dominating the planet at that time.
It is divided into three periods: Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous.
MESOZOIC ERA
TRIASSIC PERIOD (251-200 Ma)
This period is associated with the appearance of the first dinosaurs as
well as the first mammals. The diversification of species continued in
the Jurassic and in the Cretaceous periods. These imposing reptiles
were present in all environments (land, sea, and air). At the end of this
period, the fourth mass extinction occurred, where more than 50% of
fish, sponge, and coral species have disappeared, possibly due to a
meteorite impact or to volcanic eruptions
Cynognathus is a
Triassic mammal-like
reptile.
MESOZOIC ERA
JURASSIC PERIOD (200-145 Ma)
In the Jurassic period, the stability of climates favoured the
multiplication of marine and terrestrial animal species, including the
first birds. Flowering plants also began to flourish. It is also at the end
of this period that Pangea begins to break apart.
The Stegosaurus genus
includes several species of
dinosaurs of the Jurassic
period.
MESOZOIC ERA
CRETACEOUS PERIOD (145- 65.5 Ma)
During the Cretaceous period, Pangea breaks apart and the continents
drift to their present location.
During this period, flowering plants grow in abundance, mammals are
present, although relatively small in size, whereas bees are
proliferating. At the end of the Cretaceous period, a fifth and final
mass extinction occurs, which is associated with the disappearance of
dinosaurs. This event would have been caused by the fall of a
meteorite in the north of Yucatán, Mexico.
CENOZOIC ERA
(65.5-Today)
“AGE OF MAMMAL”
CENOZOIC ERA (65.5-Today)
This is the era in which we are currently living. It is during this era that
most species of birds, mammals, and flowering plants that are known
today appeared.
It is divided into three periods: Paleogene, Neogene, and Quaternary.
CENOZOIC ERA
Paleogene (65.5 – 23 Ma)
During this period, all animals and plants that appear resemble the
species currently living on the planet. Insects, birds, fish, amphibians,
and mammals are represented in the Paleogene period.
The Moeritherium genus includes
several species of mammals of the
Paleogene period.
CENOZOIC ERA
Neogene (23-1.8 Ma)
In the Neogene period, grasses such as wheat, rice, and bamboo
multiplied. These served to feed big herbivores, thus promoting their
development. It is worth noting that a more or less significant part of
the species present in this period will disappear in the Quaternary;
nonetheless, this is not considered as a mass extinction.
The Smilodon, also called saber-
toothed tiger, is from the
Neogene period.
CENOZOIC ERA
The Quaternary (1.8 Ma – Today)
This is the period we are currently in. The beginning of this period is
characterized by alternating periods of glaciation, favourable to the
development of mammals. The mammoth and the woolly rhinoceros
appeared during the cold periods, while the warm periods were favou-
rable to the development of the hippopotamus and
elephant. It is also in this period that the evolution of
humans took place.
Reconstruction of Homo
Habilis’ Appearance
Q&A
PORTION
What are again the EONS that has significant
history in forming the earth?
Hadean, Archean, and Proterozoic or in general the
Precambrian
In what era did the 1st mass extinction happened?
Paleozoic era; specifically in the Ordovician period (488-443 Ma)
When was the most important mass extinction
happened?
Still in the Paleozoic era in the Permian period (416-359 Ma)
And during Cretaceous period (145-65.6 Ma)
In what era/ period does human exist?
Cenozoic era; Quaternary Period (1.8 Ma- Today)
