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.

It is like the calendar of an year. As an year is divided into

different months, weeks, days .

Geological time scale is also subdivided into smaller and

smaller unit to suit stratigraphical study and correlation.

Introduction to Geologic Time Scale

It is believed that the earth came into existence nearly

4500 million years ago. Therefore, its history is
spreading over all this lengthy period.

The geological time is subdivided into smaller and

smaller unit to suit the stratigraphical study and
correlation.

Necessity to Geologic Time Scale

For

the sake of convenience of study and references

and also for relative comparison of ages of different
sequence of rocks found in different places on the
earths surface, it is necessary to have a proper
framework of geological time.
This

need is fulfilled by the Geological Time Scale,

which is internationally accepted.

Geologic Time Scale

The geological time scale is subdivided into number of
eras.
Each era comprises a number of periods.
Periods, in turn are subdivided into epochs. A
number of ages make up an epoch. These sub units
of an age are sometimes called hemeras or
Phases.
The similarity of the mode of subdivision of a year and
geological time scale is up to this extent only.

Geologic Time Scale

The duration or time interval between any two such
successive extraordinary events is described as an
era.
Thus, based on this principle, the geological time
scale, which represents the entire period of the earths
history, has been subdivided into six eras.
They are: Achaean Era (The Oldest), Precambrian
era, Primary era, Secondary era, Tertiary era and
Quaternary era (The last and the youngest).

Geologic Time Scale

Geologic Time Scale

Geologic Time Scale

Geologic Time Scale

Geologic Time Scale

Divisions of Geologic Time

Eras are subdivided
subdivided into epochs.
Era
Periods
Epoch
E + P = EP

into

periods...periods

are

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

Paleozoic Era (Ancient Life)

The Cambrian period is the 1st period of the Paleozoic
Era. Age of the Trilobites
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
Early land plants including mosses, ferns and cone-bearing plants.
The early coal forming forests were also formed during this time.

Paleozoic Era (Ancient Life)

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
Cambrian Period is know as
the Age of the Trilobites
Lived in Earths ancient seas.
Extinct before the dinosaurs
came into existence.

Brachiopods

Early Fish

Early fish did not have

jaws.
Some species of sharks
were in existence at this
time.

Frilled Shark

Frilled Shark that was found in Japan in January 2007.

This shark was considered a living fossil

Early Land Plants