Geologic Time

• Cenozoic
• Mesozoic
• Paleozoic
• Precambrian
 Cenozoic (“Age of Humans”
recent life)
• 66 million years to present
– Ice sheets cover much of the earth
– Continents take on their present shape
– Formation of the Rocky Mountains
Biological Events
– Human beings develop
– Age of mammals
– Modern forms of life evolve
 Mesozoic (middle life “Age of
the Dinosaur)
• 245 million to 66 million years
– Shallow seas in the interior of North America

Biological Events
– Age of reptiles, such as dinosaurs
– First flowering plants
– First birds and mammals
• Canada was home of the first ever found
dinosaur. They called it Albertasaurus
because it was found in the badlands of
Alberta.
 Paleozoic (ancient life)
• 570 – 245 million years
– Appalachians formed
– Periods when large parts of North America are
covered by shallow seas.

– Age of amphibians and fish

– First insects
– Large swamps-coal formed from this vegetation
– First plants and animals appear on land
 Precambrian (earliest Life)
• 4.6 Billion years ago – 570 million years
– Rock shield formations: Canadian Shield,
Brazilian Shield, African Shield and the
Australian Shield.
Biological Events
– First single and multi-celled organisms
 Pair Work on Geological Eras
Every student needs to write down the answers
1. Using the information from your notes, answer the questions below.
a) How old is the earth?
b) What percentage of the earth's age does each era represent?
c) What is the name of the era in which we live?

2. Draw a line 20 cm long on a piece of paper. Divide it into eras based

on the percentages calculated in question 1b.

3. Geologists believe that Canada was located closer to the equator

during the early part of the Paleozoic era. Why has this tropical
location been important to Canada? (Hint: consider the
transportation and winter heating needs of Canadians)
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SY3MZ
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