DEFINING AND IDENTIFYING SUBDIVISIONS

OF GEOLOGIC TIME SCALE USING

RELATIVE AND ABSOLUTE DATING

for Earth Science – Senior High School (Core Subject)

Quarter 2 / Week 6
 FOREWORD

This Self-Learning Kit introduces the concept of geologic time scale

being divided into time segments that will explain the major events in Earth's
history.

Moreover, dating methods will be discussed in this learning kit, to

reconstruct clues from the history of rocks, minerals, and other materials on
earth in order to understand the subdivisions of geologic time scale.

Every page of this learning kit is designed to meet the needs of the 21st
century learners. It is also anchored to the basic learning competencies in
Science of the K-12 Basic Education Curriculum.

Hence, this learning kit will be very helpful in enriching your knowledge
and ideas on the science concepts.

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 OBJECTIVES:

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

1. describe the use relative and absolute dating to
determine the subdivisions of geologic time;
2. determine the subdivisions of geologic time using the
dating methods; and
3. appreciate the use relative and absolute dating to
determine the subdivisions of geologic time.

LEARNING COMPETENCY

Describe how relative and absolute dating were used

to determine the subdivisions of geologic time. (S11ES -IIi-
37)

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I. WHAT HAPPENED

Pre – Activity: IT’S Show TIME!

Calculate the length of time of each Era and Precambrian Time. Answer in
your notebook.

Hint: Focus on the time divisions between the eras and subtract to find out how long each era lasted)
ERA PERIOD MILLIONSOF YEARS AGO
QUATERNARY
________________________1.6_____
NEOGENE
CENOZOIC ERA _________________________23_____
PALEOGENE
_________________________66_____
CREATACIOUS
________________________146_____
JURASSIC
MESOZOIC ERA ________________________200_____
TRIASSIC
_________________________251_____
PERMIAN
_________________________299_____
CARBONIFEROUS
_________________________359_____
DEVONIAN
_________________________416_____
SILURIAN
PALEOZOIC
_________________________444_____
ERA
ORDOVICIAN
_________________________488_____
CAMBRIAN
_________________________542_____
PRECAMBRIAN
TIME 4,600

I. Complete the information below with your correct answer.

Find out how long each Era lasted million years ago.

Cenozoic = ______
Mesozoic = ______
Paleozoic = ______
Precambrian= ______

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II. WHAT I NEED TO KNOW

Scientists created the geologic

time scale based on fossil evidence. It
divides Earth’s history into blocks of
time with each block separated by
important events, such as the
disappearance of a species of fossil
from the rock record.

In the geologic time scale, the

youngest ages are on top and the
oldest at the bottom. The time scale is
based upon relative times, therefore
there aren’t any specific times listed
with each era. The timescale is divided
into eons, each eon into eras, each
era into periods, and each period into
epochs.

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 Geologic Time

Geologic time is the extensive interval of time occupied by the

geologic history of Earth. Formal geologic time begins at the start of
the Archean Eon (4.0 billion to 2.5 billion years ago) and continues to the
present day. Modern geologic time scales additionally often include
the Hadean Eon, which is an informal interval that extends from about 4.6
billion years ago (corresponding to Earth’s initial formation to 4.0 billion years
ago. Geologic time is, in effect, that segment of Earth history that is
represented by and recorded in the planet’s rock strata.The geologic time
scale is the “calendar” for events in Earth history. It subdivides all time into
named units of abstract time called—in descending order of duration -
eons, eras, periods, epochs, and ages. The enumeration of those geologic
time units is based on stratigraphy, which is the correlation and classification of
rock strata. The fossil forms that occur in the rocks, however, provide the chief
means of establishing a geologic time scale, with the timing of the emergence
and disappearance of widespread species from the fossil record being used
to delineate the beginnings and endings of ages, epochs, periods, and other
intervals. One of the most widely used standard charts showing the
relationships between the various
intervals of geologic time is
the International Chronostratigraphic
Chart.
Living things play critical roles in
the development of geologic time
scales, because they have
undergone evolutionary
changes over geologic time.
Moreover, particular kinds of
organisms are characteristic of
particular parts of the geologic
Timeline of Earth's history record. By correlating the strata in
Significant moments in Earth's history.
Encyclopædia Britannica, which certain types of fossils are found,
Inc./Christine McCabe the geologic history of various
Grand Canyon rock layering regions—and of Earth as a whole can
The steep walls of the Grand Canyon be reconstructed. The relative
contain a number of layers of
sedimentary rock laid over millions of geologic time scale developed from
years. The lower formations belong to the fossil record has been numerically
the early Precambrian age, while the
upper layers are of the Paleozoic age. quantified by means of absolute dates
The line between the two sets of obtained with
formations is called the Great radiometric dating methods.
Unconformity. Encyclopædia https://www.britannica.com/science/geologic-time
Britannica, Inc. Dating Methods: Establishing the Evolution of Earth

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 To reconstruct the history of rocks, minerals, and other materials on
earth, geologists use two kinds of dating methods.

1. Relative Dating
Relative dating is a method that determines the order of geologic event
used to arrange geological events, and the rocks they leave behind, in a
sequence. The method of reading the order is called stratigraphy (layers of
rock are called strata). Relative dating does not provide actual numerical
dates for the rocks.
Source:https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/1478-%20dating-the-%20pastintroduction

Rock Layers and Relative Dating

The image on the left (above) shows cliffs near Whanganui. The diagram
on the right shows how the original, horizontal rock layers have changed due
to tectonic activity. Relative dating puts the sequences of rocks layers into
chronological order. Although the layers are no longer horizontal, geologists
able to determine their order.

Fossils and Relative Dating

Fossils are organisms that have existed, disappeared and become

extinct whose remains are left in sedimentary rocks. They are important in
showing the relative ages of sedimentary rocks. Geologists have studied
the order in which fossils appeared and disappeared through time and rocks
as biostratigraphy.

Fossils are helpful guide to match rocks of the same age, even when
they a long way apart. This process is called correlation, an important
matching process in constructing geological timescales. A particular useful in
correlating rocks is an index fossil. A good index fossil needs to have lived during
one specific time period, be easy to identify and have been abundant and
found in many places.

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 The ammonites for instance have lived in the Mesozoic era. If you find
ammonites in a rock in the South Island and also in the North Island, you can
say that both rocks are Mesozoic. Various species of ammonites lived at
different times within the Mesozoic, therefore identifying a fossil species can
help tell when a rock was formed.

Using index fossils

Trilobites lived at a
different time to
ammonites and
belemnites. Finding a
trilobite fossil in a rock tells
you the rock was formed
in the Paleozoic era.

Source: www.sciencelearn.org.nz

Source: https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/1478-%20dating-the-%20past-introduction

2. Absolute Dating

Geologists use the absolute method also known as numerical rating in

giving the rocks actual date or date range in number of years. In contrast to
relative dating which only gives the order of time to geological events.

Absolute dating is helpful in determining which sediments settled first and

in providing their approximate age. This method uses radioactive materials that
calculate the age of rocks. There are isotopes in these radioactive materials
that breaks or decay at a constant rate. When the rates of decay of the parent
and daughter isotopes is measured, then when the rocks were formed can be
calculated. Each element has a unique rate of decay that will tell a particular
age range. For instance, rocks older than 1 million years is determined based
on the decay of isotope Ur-238 to Pb-206.

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 Post – Activity: Quick Action – Geologic Time Scale

Directions: Determine the relative age of rock layers in the

figure below, then answer the questions in your notebook.

1. Which is older, sandstone or

limestone?
2. Which is older, mudstone or
siltstone?
3. Which is the youngest rock in the
strata?
4. Which is the oldest rock in the
strata?

III. WHAT I HAVE LEARNED

EVALUATION

Wazz Up in the Chart?

Identify which characteristic corresponds to the type of dating method. Place

a check mark in the correct column to indicate your answer. Use the discussion
above or other reference materials if necessary in answering. Answer in your
notebook.

GEOLOGIC TIME SCALE AND THE DATING METHOD

Evidence Relative Dating Absolute Dating

Method Method
1. layers in the rocks

2. radioactive isotopes determine

rocks older than 1 million yrs. old
3. actual date of parent and daughter
formation in rocks
4. ammonites lived in the Mesozoic era

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REFERENCES

Absolute dating Retrieve from Science Learning Hub July 10, 2020
https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/1486-absolute-
dating

Back to the Past with the Geologic Time Scale

Retrieved from Science Learning Hub July 10,
2020
https://www.cpalms.org/Public/PreviewResourc
eLesson/Preview/43470

Dating the Past Retrieve from Science Learning Hub July 10,
20202 https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/1478-
dating-the- past-introduction

Relative dating Retrieve from Science Learning Hub July 10, 2020
https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/1485-relative-
dating

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 ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Division of Negros Oriental

SENEN PRISCILLO P. PAULIN, CESO V

Schools Division Superintendent

FAY C. LUAREZ, TM, EDD, PHD

OIC - Assistant Schools Division Superintendent
Acting CID Chief

NILITA L. RAGAY, EDD

OIC - Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

ROSELA R. ABIERA
Education Program Supervisor – (LRMS)

ARNOLD R. JUNGCO
PSDS – Division Science Coordinator

MARICEL S. RASID
Librarian II (LRMDS)

ELMAR L. CABRERA
PDO II (LRMDS)

MARICEL S. RASID
Librarian

WINDA D. OBEDENCIO
Writers

NOELYN E. SIAPNO
Lay-out Artist
_______________________________
ALPHA QA TEAM
LIEZEL A. AGOR
MARY JOYCEN A. ALAM-ALAM
EUFRATES G. ANSOK JR.
JOAN Y. BUBULI
LIELIN A. DE LA ZERNA
THOMAS JOGIE U. TOLEDO
BETA QA TEAM
JOAN Y. BUBULI
LIELIN A. DE LA ZERNA
MIEL C. PACULANANG
ARJIE T. PALUMPA

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 SYNOPSIS
This engaging module
discusses the significant events of
the earth’s history through the
Geologic time scale. The timescale
is divided into eons, each eon into
eras, each era into periods, and
each period into epochs.

The dating methods namely

the relative dating and absolute
dating validates the certainty of
each subdivisions in the geologic
time scale.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

WINDA D. OBEDENCIO is a senior high school
teacher at Sibulan National High School and the
Teacher-in-Charge of the same school. She
graduated at Silliman University with a Bachelors
Degree in Secondary Education major in General
Science. She finished her graduate studies at
Southwestern University in Cebu City with Master of
Arts in Teaching Science.

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