Earth Science Module 14: Geologic Time

A learning resource designed for students to continue their studies at home.

A system of chronological dating that relates geological strata to time.

The study of Earth's physical features, processes, and history.

An assessment to evaluate prior knowledge before learning a new topic.

An assessment given at the end of a module or lesson to measure what you have learned.

Materials and tools used to support learning.

Layers of rock, representing different periods of Earth's history.

A method of determining the sequence or order of events in time.

The earliest and most chaotic eon of Earth's history, characterized by intense volcanic activity, and constant meteorite bombardment.

The second oldest eon, lasting over 1.3 billion years, marked by a cooling Earth, methane-rich atmosphere, and the formation of early continents.

The earliest known form of plant life on Earth, appearing approximately 3.2 billion years ago.

The first six-legged creatures to appear on Earth, about 408 million years ago.

The first vertebrates to evolve, appearing around 505 million years ago.

The first land-dwelling vertebrates with scales, appearing around 360 million years ago.

The first giant, reptilian creatures appearing about 245 million years ago.

The appearance of warm-blooded animals with fur and mammary glands around 222 million years ago.

A geologic eon lasting almost half of Earth's history, marked by a significant rise in oxygen levels to 3% and the emergence of multicellular organisms.

The current geologic eon, spanning the last 540 million years, marked by the diversification of visible life forms, including animals, plants, and even dinosaurs.

The second era of the Phanerozoic eon, lasting from 245 to 65 million years ago, also known as the "Age of Reptiles", marked by the dominance of dinosaurs and the emergence of the first birds and flowering plants.

The amount of oxygen in the atmosphere, which has increased significantly over Earth's history, contributing to the development and diversification of life.

The gradual separation of the supercontinent Pangaea into the continents we know today, starting around 200 million years ago in the Mesozoic era.

The period of dominance of reptiles, including dinosaurs, during the Mesozoic era, marking a significant chapter in Earth's history.

Subdivisions within eras, representing tens of millions of years. Examples include the Cretaceous, Jurassic, and Triassic periods.

The Cenozoic Era is known as the "Age of Mammals" because it saw the diversification and dominance of mammals.

The Proterozoic eon spans nearly half of Earth's history, lasting from 2.5 billion to 540 million years ago.

Dinosaurs were the largest creatures that existed during the Mesozoic era, the "Age of Reptiles."

Eons are the longest unit of geologic time, representing the major periods of Earth's history.

Eras are subdivided into smaller time units called periods.

Plants first appeared during the Paleozoic Era, marking a significant change in Earth's ecosystems.

"Paleozoic" means "ancient life" and describes the era where a huge diversity of life forms evolved.

The Phanerozoic Eon encompasses the three eras: Cenozoic, Mesozoic, and Paleozoic, representing a period of visible life on Earth.

The largest time divisions on Earth's geological timescale, spanning hundreds of millions to billions of years.

Subdivisions of Eons, lasting for several hundred million years, characterized by significant geological and biological changes.

The smallest divisions of geologic time, lasting for millions of years, characterized by specific changes in climate, life forms, or geological events.

A system of chronological dating that organizes Earth's history into a series of time intervals, based on rock formations and fossils.

The order is as follows: Eons, Eras, Periods, Epochs, and Ages.

Periods are distinguished by their unique rock formations and fossil records, representing a specific stage in Earth's history.

The three Eras are Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic.