Cheat Sheet/Notes for Video "How The Earth Was Made"

4.5 Billion Years Ago (b)

The Earth is formed from the collision of countless meteors in the young solar system. The
planet's surface is an ocean of molten rock.

4.4 b
Due to gradual cooling, the surface of the Earth solidifies. Water begins to form on the surface.

4b
After millions of years of relentless rain, 90% of the Earth is covered by water.

3.5 b
Granite is first formed. The continents begin to take shape.

2.5 b
Stromatolites begin filling the atmosphere with oxygen. A quarter of the planet's surface is
covered by land.

1.5 b
Increased levels of oxygen make the seas and the sky look blue.

1b
Rodinia, the first supercontinent is formed by the collision of all of Earth's continents.

700 m
Ice covers the entire Earth, killing almost all life.

650 m
Volcanic eruptions begin to tear Rodinia apart. Ice begins to retreat towards the poles.

600 m
There is a dramatic increase in the number and complexity of life forms, known as the
Cambrian Explosion.

500 m
There is a dramatic increase in the number and complexity of life forms, known at the Cambrian
Explosion. Multi-Cellular organisms become more diverse.

400 m
The development of the ozone layer frees life to leave the oceans.

300 m
The continents converge again to form the supercontinent Pangaea. Huge insects, amphibians,
and early reptilians begin to live on land.

250 m
Huge volcanic eruptions cause the extinction of 95% of living species.
230 m
The first dinosaurs evolve.

180 m
Pangaea begins to break apart.

100 m
Dinosaurs dominate a world largely covered by lush, tropical landscapes.

65 m
An enormous meteor lands in Mexico. In combination with large-scale volcanic eruptions, this
event creates a huge dust cloud that causes the dinosaurs and 70% of all species on Earth to
becomes extinct.

55 m
"The Age of Mammals" The Earth's landscapes begin to take their current forms.

6m
The Grand Canyon begins to be formed.

2m
Ancestors of modern humas are first seen (i.e. Homo habilis). The ice ages arrive.

10,000 yrs
The last ice sheets retreat to the poles. Human life flourishes.

Billions of Years In The Future

When Earth's core finally cools, will all life on the planet end?